How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be accountable, for many years, for the training and health of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It is important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders are happy to give you information about their dogs and practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.

Take the time to meet with a breeder in person once you've found one who meets your breeding standards. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You want to see proof that they have been checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide you with the name of the doctor and telephone number and give you consultation notes.

It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that would hinder them from selling you an animal. If they are aware that you have young kids they might not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents, their AKC registration number as well as a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding selection. This is to make sure that they do not produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, deutscher schäFerhund zu verkaufen (uichin.net) elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.

In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and Schäferhund abzugeben health of each dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely communicate this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in future generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and schäferhund Welpen österreich Kaufen discomfort, but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof however, and it does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal conditions later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup develop confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will develop fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is essential to their success as adults.

The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.

It is also very important that the puppy gets to meet many different people during this time, in addition to other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. One good example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a controlled way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer, doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy understand that older, larger dogs do not need to be terrifying. It will also aid in developing a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is important to get them into classes as soon as possible and especially when they are still young. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors and commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your instructions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a common issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals who venture into their area. Training, exercise and Schäferhund beschützerinstinkt socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral problems can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other pets toys or children, and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

During their puppy years it is crucial to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy prior to this it's likely to be more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone towards anxiety-based aggression or fear.

One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's a great way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!