15 Gifts For The German Shepherd Buy Puppy Lover In Your Life

How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you’re making a huge commitment. You’ll be responsible, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeder 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 happy to provide you with details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to share details about their dogs and practices with you.

The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you to reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to find a list of licensed breeding companies.

Take the time to meet a breeder’s representative in person once you’ve found one who is in line with your breed standards. Look for a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy’s parents and siblings. You’ll want to see proof that they have been checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy your puppy’s medical records and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able provide you with the name of the doctor and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living situation. This may prevent them from bringing puppies to you. For instance If they know that you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.

You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they have a good home.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, entzüCkendescäferhundwelpen elbow dysplasia, 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 pet 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 perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.

These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make more informed mating decisions, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test checks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn’t impervious and cannot predict the likelihood that a dog’s spinal problem is degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence in new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is crucial to their success as adults.

The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn’t grow up afraid or anxious of these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.

During this period, it is also important that the puppy gets to meet many different animals and people. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. An excellent example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined to ensure that the puppy isn’t overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer, gentle dogs. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs don’t have to be frightening. It will also help them develop a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in classes early enough particularly when they are still young. This will help them become confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic skills they’ll be more likely to follow your instructions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals that enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Training in obedience can aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could be a nuisance to their neighbors and family members. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like “sit” and “down.”

During their puppy years, it’s important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy reaches 16 weeks, when their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy it is likely to be much more difficult for them to master 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 herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don’t get enough exercise they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases “cabin fever,” improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It’s an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!