How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be responsible for a long time for the training and health of your dog.
Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Select a Reputable Breeder
It's important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment that their puppies are being raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. You should look for an upscale, clean facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You would like to verify that they've been checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who is able to carry out all required tests and vaccines. They can provide the name of the doctor and his phone number and also provide you with the records of consultation.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that might stop them from selling you puppies. If they are aware that you have young kids and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask 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 an excellent way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better mating decisions that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in future generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.
The OFA test is designed to detect hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable and cannot tell the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep active. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches them to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce Recommended Website to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
It is also very important for the puppy to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This will help reduce anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able 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 be allowed to interact also with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a class early enough, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their homes and property, resulting in barking or yelling at those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed through proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Obedience training can also help to prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can cause annoyance to their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they are 16 weeks old, as they go through an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy it is likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone towards anxiety-based aggression or fear.
One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids with weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's the perfect way to be a part of your German Shepherd as well!