German Shepherd Buy Puppy: What No One Is Talking About
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible 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, which place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should search for a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept in a secure. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they have been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye problems, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich züchter, just click for source, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet that can carry out all necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able provide you with the name of the doctor as well as the number of his phone and give you a consultation note.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or Schäferhunde kaufen living conditions that would prevent them from selling you an animal. If they are aware that you have children they might not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders with a good reputation will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as bloat).
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders as well as 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. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, schäferhund Baby kaufen but can be managed by weight control, activity restrictions, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test is designed to detect hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof however, and it does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup build confidence with new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to get along with their rough and boisterous siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught to behave in a group. This is vital to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and Belgischer SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen öSterreich kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not become afraid or anxious of these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also important for a puppy to get to know many different people over this time, as well as other 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 doggies.
The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a secure way, and in a controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs don't have to be frightening. It can also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need firm and consistent obedience training. It is essential to get them into a class as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, stay, and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills, they will be more likely to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their property and homes which could lead to their barking at strangers or animals who venture into their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented through proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause trouble for their family and friends. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are going through a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy until then, it will likely be more difficult for them to learn new things when they become adults. They could also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to work and delight their owners If they don't have enough to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!