How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over animal welfare. Pick a reputable breeder.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get an updated list of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are safe. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they've been checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will also be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the required tests and vaccines. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle and living situation. This might stop them from bringing a puppy to you. If they know that you have young children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that form part of their 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).
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders and potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct 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 diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional needs. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will grow scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals 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 learn how to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not grow up scared or anxious about these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a controlled way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be limited at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It's important to enroll them in classes early, especially when they are still puppy dogs. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors, the easier it will be for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, resulting in screaming or groaning at other any animal or person who enters their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Obedience training will also help to prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may cause annoyance to their family and friends. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are undergoing a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy until that point they'll likely encounter new experiences more difficult in adulthood and will be more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!