How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.

Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.

Choosing 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 provide you with details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are raised.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You'll need proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to provide you with the name of the doctor as well as the number of his phone and provide you with consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could stop them from bringing puppies to you. If they are aware that you have young children, they may not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents, their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they have a good home.

Health Tests for Health

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.

In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also share this information fully 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 on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd buy puppy Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make more informed mating decisions that will lower the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.

Typical genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through weight control, activity limitations supplements, and medications. X-rays are taken with conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test checks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof, German Shepherd Buy Puppy however, and does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical activity along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. The majority of these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is crucial 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 be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn how to behave in a group environment, which is key to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace, Deutsche schäferhunde kaufen and SchäFerhundwelpen positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.

During this time, it's also important that the puppy interacts with different people and pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be confined so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy see that older, larger dogs don't have to be terrifying. It can also help them develop an excellent attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It's important to get them into classes early, especially when they are still puppies. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic skills they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they get older.

Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly protective of their homes and property, resulting in barking or yelling at any animal or person who enters their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance or even a threat to their family members and german shepherd buy Puppy their neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."

During their puppy years, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important when they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more susceptible to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

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 healthy and content. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to satisfy their owners and if they don't have enough work to do, they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists with weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to strengthen the bond between you and Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen your German shepherd!