German Shepherd Buy Puppy: 11 Thing That You're Failing To Do
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for a long time for the health and education of your dog.
Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Select a Reputable Breeder
It's essential to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain a list of licensed breeding companies.
Make the effort to meet with a breeder in person once you've located one who meets your breeding standards. You should look for an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet that can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able give you the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and will provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that would stop them from selling you a puppy. If they are aware that you have young children they might not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number as well as the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great method breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as bloat).
Breeders who are reputable strive to know the temperaments and health status of every dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely communicate this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct 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 the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make more informed mating decisions which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control and medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof however, and does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can easily become bored and a lack of exercise can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will grow scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches them how to be around their rough and boisterous 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 different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these situations as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it is also important that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older, gentle dogs. belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not need to be frightening. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is essential to get them into classes early enough, especially while they are still young. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit down, stay and sit. blaue schäferhunde is taught these basic behaviors, the more easy it is for them to follow your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be extremely cautious of their property and homes, which can lead to them barking at other people or animals that enter their area. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can aid in preventing other problems 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 like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they are 16 weeks old because they are in an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things when they become adults. 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 physical as well as mental exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's a great way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!