How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for many years for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over animal welfare. Pick a reputable breeder.
How to Choose a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to provide you with details about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be delighted to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. 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 obtain an updated list of licensed breeding companies.
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 comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You want to see proof that they were screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
Recommended Website should be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical history and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet that can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the doctor and his contact number and also provide you with records of your consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This may hinder them from bringing the puppy to you. If they know you have young children they might not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as 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 each dog they have. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to take certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better decisions about mating that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through the control of weight, exercise restrictions, supplements, and drugs. X-rays are taken under conscious sedation to obtain precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable however, and does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in life.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are usually due to unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these sounds as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also very important that the puppy gets to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a secure, controlled manner and the interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and more friendly dogs. This will help your puppy see that larger, older dogs do not have to be frightening. It can also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds need firm and consistent obedience training. It is important to start an early training class especially when they're still young. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you teach your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely 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 could lead to them barking at people or animals who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed through exercising, training, and socialization.
Training in obedience can aid in preventing other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a threat to their family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
In the early years of puppyhood it is important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it's likely to be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to please their humans, so if they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!