When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be accountable for a long time for the health and education of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are being raised.
The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. 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 the list of breeders.
Make the effort to meet a breeder in person once you've found one that meets your breed standards. Find a clean facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings; you would like to verify that they've been checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all 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 a consultation note.
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 are aware that you have young kids they might not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, entzückendescäferhundwelpen.de GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly give this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make better informed choices about mating that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in future generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They are easily bored and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. The majority of these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy build confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches them how to be around their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave in a group environment, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.
The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace, and positive reinforcement should be 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 help reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and more doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds need constant and consistent obedience training. It's important to enroll them in a training class early, especially when they are still puppies. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic behaviors and commands, they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their home and property, resulting in barking or yelling at any animal or person who enters their area of. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can cause annoyance to their family and friends. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands such as "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy until then it's likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things as an adult. They may also be more prone towards anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and please their humans and if they don't have enough to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists with weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!
