How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be accountable for many years for the health and education of your dog.

Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It is important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.

The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. Most breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain the list of breeding companies.

Take the time to meet with a breeder in person once you've located one who is in line with your standards for breeding. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to know if they have been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a good 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 and telephone number and provide you with consultation notes.

It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living conditions that could stop them from offering you a puppy. For instance when they know that you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a great way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they have a good home.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't create puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.

Breeders who are reputable strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they have. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders as well as potential buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders carry out additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make more informed mating decisions, which will reduce the chance of developing hereditary diseases in future generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, but they can be treated with weight control, activity limitations and medications. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep active. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for Schäferhund welpen kaufen Schweiz German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy develop confidence in new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches them to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn to behave in a group, which is key to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor schäferhund Welpen kaufen schweiz sounds, schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen welpen schäferhundwelpen kaufen schweiz; spa-spa.ru, including sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop afraid or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

It is also important for the puppy to meet numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This can help prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, Deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe way with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined so that the pup isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older, gentle dogs. This will help your puppy see that larger, older dogs do not need to be frightening. It will also help them develop a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It's important to get them into classes early particularly when they are still puppies. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a great time to introduce them to basic commands like sit down, stay and sit. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their homes and property and this can result in them barking at other people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted through the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Other behavioral problems can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and neighbors. They are often 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 puppyhood It is essential to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.

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 calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to work and satisfy their owners, so if they don't have enough to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps 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!