How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You will be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting 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 delighted to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment that their puppies are raised.
The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you to reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state animal control agency for a list of licensed breeders.
Make the effort to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your breed standards. You should search for an upscale, clean facility in which the puppies and their mother are kept. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You want to see proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical records and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can carry out all required tests and vaccines. They will be able to tell you the vet's name as well as the number of his phone and give you a consultation note.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle and living situation. This could hinder them from selling puppies to you. If they are aware that you have children they might not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require you to sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents, their AKC registration number and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they go to good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding collection. This is to make sure that they don't create pups with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as Bloat).
Breeders who are reputable are determined to understand the temperaments and health status of every dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. The test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. The majority of these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. They are also exposed to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is vital 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 to different sounds outside, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these situations as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
During this period, it is essential that the puppy meets many different animals and people. This will help reduce anxiety about separation 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 only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer, friendly dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require firm regular obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as you can and especially when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands, the more easy it is for them to follow your commands as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely concerned about their home and property, leading to barking or yelling at any animal or person who enters their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed through proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may cause annoyance to their neighbors and family members. 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 is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy reaches 16 weeks and their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy until that point, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult as an adult and be more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!