How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for many years for the health and education of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.
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 direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder in person once you've found one that meets your breeding standards. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept in a secure. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A responsible breeder will be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the 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.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This might stop them from selling a puppy to you. If they know that you have young children, they may not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders with a good reputation will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called bloat).
Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders and 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 conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof however, and cannot determine if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in life.
king shepherd kaufen require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and play with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn how to behave within a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these situations as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This will help to prevent 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 manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be limited so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and gentle dogs. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs don't have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is essential to get them into classes early enough particularly when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, stay, and come. The earlier you teach your dog these basic behaviors they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be overly protective of their homes and property, leading to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented through the proper training, exercise and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands such as "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to socialize your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy it's likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to delight their owners and if they don't have enough to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to be a part of your German Shepherd also!