The 10 Scariest Things About German Shepherd Buy Puppy

How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You’re making a significant commitment when you purchase a german shepherd buy puppy Shepherd pup. You’ll be responsible, for many years, for the health and education of your dog.

Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills, which place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.

How to Choose a Breeder with a Good Reputation

Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it’s essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with information about their dogs and breeding practices. They’ll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are raised.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to find the list of breeding companies.

Take the time to meet with a breeder in person once you’ve found one who is in line with your breed standards. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with copies of your puppy’s medical record and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a good relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the vet’s name as well as the number of his phone and provide you with consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This might stop the breeder from selling puppies to you. For example If they know that you have young children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.

You should also expect an accredited breeder to ask you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding selection. This is to make sure that they do not produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).

In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they have. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club’s Assured breeder program members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make better informed choices about mating that will lower the incidence of hereditary disease in future generations.

Typical 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 conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and it cannot determine if dogs 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 keep occupied. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy build confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

It is also very important that the puppy gets to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be restricted to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy see that larger, older dogs don’t have to be frightening. It will also aid in developing an excellent attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is crucial to start a training class early particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. It’s also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors, the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their property and homes and this can result in them barking at people or animals that enter their area. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.

Other issues with behavior can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may be a nuisance to 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.”

In the early years of their puppyhood it is essential to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old, when their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult in adulthood and will be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

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 are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don’t exercise enough they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases “cabin fever,” improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It’s a great way to bond with your German Shepherd, too!