10 Things You've Learned In Kindergarden That'll Help You With German Shepherd Buy Puppy
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Pet stores and online sources offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen are happy to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. Breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get an updated list of licensed breeding companies.
Take the time to meet a breeder in person once you've found one that meets your breeding standards. Look for a clean facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll need proof that they have been examined for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will also be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a good relationship with a vet who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide you with the name of the doctor and telephone number and give you consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This might hinder the breeder from selling the puppy to you. For instance when they know that you have children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents, their AKC registration number and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding selection. This is to make sure that they don't create puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health status of every dog they own. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better mating decisions that will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled through weight control, activity limitations supplements, and medications. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay engaged. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup build confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will develop fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
During this period, it is crucial that the puppy interacts with different people and pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older, doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy understand that older, larger dogs do not have to be frightening. It can also help them develop an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds need firm, consistent obedience training. It is important to get them into classes as soon as you can and especially when they are still young. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their home and property and this can result in them barking at other people or animals that enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training can also help prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach the age of 16 weeks since they enter a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this, it will likely be more difficult for them to master new things as an adult. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great method to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!