How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be accountable for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
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Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. Breeders will be happy to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or organization. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state animal control agency for a list of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet with a breeder in person once you've located one who is in line with your standards for breeding. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are comfortably confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder will be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able provide the name of the doctor and his contact number and provide you with consultation records.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that would prevent them from offering you an animal. If they know that you have children, they may not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent way breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also freely and fully share this information with other breeders as well as potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to take certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These degenerative joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test checks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable however, and cannot determine if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The pups are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is essential to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these types of stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a controlled well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not need to be scary. It will also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require strict, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a class early enough, especially while they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a good time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors, the more easy it will be for them to follow your commands as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their homes and property, which can lead to them barking at people or animals who enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and their neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals, toys or children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old, when their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists with weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!