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 many years, for the health and education of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment where their puppies are being raised.
The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or
deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for a list of licensed breeders.
It is a good idea to meet with a breeder in person once you've located one who is in line with your breeding standards. Find a clean facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to know if they have been screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical records and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can give you the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and will provide you with records of your consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle and living situation. This may stop the breeder from selling a puppy to you. For instance If they know that you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for
schäferhund beschützerinstinkt kaufen österreich (
https://hikvisiondb.webcam/wiki/Dont_Make_This_Silly_Mistake_On_Your_Buy_An_Old_German_Shepherd_Dog) responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make more informed mating decisions, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.
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 are degenerative cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through the control of weight, exercise restrictions as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken with conscious sedation to obtain accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof, however, and cannot determine if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy build confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. 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, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens, and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also important that the puppy gets to meet many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, schäferhund Beschützerinstinkt (
online) dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be restricted to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs do not need to be frightening. It will also help them develop an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It is crucial to start classes early particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands the more simple it will be for them to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a common issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly guarded of their property and homes, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Obedience training will aid in preventing other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They are easily distracted by other animals toys or children, and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to work and please their humans If they don't have enough things to do, they could become bored or
Deutsche schäferhunde Kaufen even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's the perfect way to bond with your German Shepherd also!