How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for a long time for the health and education of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeder instead.

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders will be delighted to share information about their dogs and practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.

Take the time to meet a breeder in person once you've found one who meets your breeding standards. Find a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are safe. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able to tell you the vet's name and phone number, and also give you consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could hinder them from selling the puppy to you. For example, if they know you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase your german shepherd kaufen Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are trustworthy will test the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).

In addition to health screenings breeders who are trustworthy acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.

These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed decisions about mating which will decrease the chance of developing hereditary diseases in future generations.

Typical genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control 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 is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will grow fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches them how to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.

The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. 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 for the puppy to meet many different people during this time, as well as other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other doggies.

The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a controlled way, and in a controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs don't have to be scary. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to get them into an obedience class as soon as you can particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great time to introduce them to basic commands like sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic commands, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a common issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their home and property, which can lead to barking or yelling at those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and reinrassiger schäferhund deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen schäferhund beschützerinstinkt (51wanshua.com) neighbors. They are 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's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this, it will likely be more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They may also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay healthy and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to do their best and satisfy their owners If they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's a great way to connect with your German Shepherd also!