How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health 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. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to get an updated list of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should search for an upscale, clean facility in which the puppies and their mother are kept. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to be aware if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet that can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able give you the name of the doctor and his contact number and also provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that might hinder them from selling you an animal. If they know you have young kids, they may not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
A reputable breeder will also 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 in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is an excellent way breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders as well as potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to take certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations, supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't completely foolproof, however, and does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in life.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They are prone to becoming bored and a lack of exercise may lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, sometimes rough, siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is crucial to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like traffic, sirens and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop scared or anxious about these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
During this time, it is also important that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished 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, safe manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be limited to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and more doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs don't have to be frightening. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds require strict and consistent obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands like sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic behaviors and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property which could lead to their barking at strangers or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could be a nuisance, or even a danger to family members and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old since they enter an important period of brain development during this period. If related resource site is a quiet puppy prior to this it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay calm and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and satisfy their owners If they don't have enough to do, they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids with weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's a great way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!