5 Laws Everybody In German Shepherd Buy Puppy Should Know
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You will be responsible for a long time for the health and education of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
How to Select a Breeder who is Reputable
It's essential to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are fostered.
The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to get the list of breeding companies.
Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility where the mother and pups are safe. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A responsible breeder will also be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who can perform all required tests and vaccines. They should be able to provide the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and will provide you with consultation records.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that would stop them from selling you a puppy. If they know that you have young children, they may not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a great way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they go to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy strive to know the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in future generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise restrictions as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken with conscious sedation to obtain accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. The test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's condition is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. The majority of these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence with new people and surroundings. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will develop scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn to behave appropriately within a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not develop afraid or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.
During this time, it is essential that the puppy gets to meet many different animals and people. This will help reduce anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be confined to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older, gentle dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to get them into an early training class particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a common issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their home and property, leading to barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can be a nuisance to their neighbors and family members. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."
In the early years of puppyhood It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered puppy until that point they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging in adulthood and will be more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong desire to do their best and delight their owners and if they don't have enough to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." blaue schäferhunde Entzückende Schäferhund Welpen improves circulation, aids in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's a great way to connect with your German Shepherd also!