10 Misconceptions Your Boss Shares About German Shepherd Buy Puppy
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You will be responsible for a long time for the training and health of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources generally sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to provide information about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club 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 reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to get an updated list of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one who meets your standards for breeding. You should seek out an upscale, clean facility where the puppies and their mother are confined. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able give you the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and also provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This could hinder them from bringing a puppy to you. If they are aware that you have young kids, they may not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders and prospective 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 recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make better informed decisions about mating that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity could lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors stem from unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will grow scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, including sirens, traffic and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
It is also very important for the puppy to meet numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This will help reduce anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a safe well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. sneak a peek at these guys should be allowed to interact also with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs don't have to be scary. It will also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to get them into an obedience class early enough and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands, the more simple it is for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their property and homes which could lead to them barking at other people or animals who venture into their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed through proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Training in obedience can also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old, as they go through an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it is likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone to anxiety or fear-based aggression.
One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to remain calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds 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 also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!