How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online sources offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment that their puppies are fostered.
The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or group. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. More Help can also contact your state animal control agency for the list of breeders who are licensed.
Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable where the puppy and the mother dog are kept in a secure. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current 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 give you the name of the vet, his telephone number, and provide you with records of your consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could prevent them from selling puppies to you. For instance If they know that you have young children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require you to sign a contract prior to purchasing 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 responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as bloat).
Breeders who are reputable are determined to understand the temperaments and health status of every dog they own. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders and 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 perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect 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.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is essential to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy 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 essential to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
It is also very important for a puppy to get to know numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs do not have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need firm regular obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in classes as soon as possible particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands like sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals that enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They can be easily 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 puppyhood It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are going through a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered pup until then they'll likely face new experiences more difficult in adulthood and will be more susceptible to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to satisfy their owners and if they don't have enough things to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's an excellent way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!