How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's essential to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders are happy to give you information about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or group. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain an updated list of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a good relationship with a vet who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able provide the name of the doctor and his phone number and also provide you with records of your consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may hinder them from bringing the puppy to you. If they are aware that you have children they might not want to offer you a 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 as well as their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are trustworthy will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to make sure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of every pet they own. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make better informed decisions about mating, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The X-rays are made under conscious sedation to obtain precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are easily bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from insufficient emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps them learn to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy doesn't grow up fearful or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy meets many different people and pets. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it will aid in developing a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It's 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. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands, such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz may be overly protective of their home and property, leading to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training will also help to prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and their neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals toys or children, and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach 16 weeks old since they enter an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They may also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.
One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong desire to satisfy their owners and if they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd, too!