These Are The Most Common Mistakes People Make With German Shepherd Buy Puppy
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You will be responsible 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. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are being raised.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or organization. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can point you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to get an updated list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should look for an upscale, clean facility where the mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll need proof that they have been checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter deutscher deutschen schäferhund kaufen züchter; find out here, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet that can conduct all the required tests and vaccines. They can provide the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and also provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This might hinder the breeder from selling puppies to you. If they are aware that you have children, they may not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
A reputable breeder may require that you sign a contract prior to purchasing 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 make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are trusted strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. 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 isn't completely foolproof however, and does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy gain confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will grow fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to be around their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of 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 a variety of sounds outside, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't become fearful or anxious of these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know numerous people during this time, as well as 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 doggies.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a secure, controlled manner and the interactions should be tempered initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older and friendly dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and helps them develop a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to start a training class early especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your commands as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They may be extremely cautious of their property and german shepherd Kaufen homes which could lead to them barking at people or animals who venture into their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can be a nuisance to their family and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."
In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are undergoing a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it is likely to be much more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's an excellent way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!