15 Gifts For The German Shepherd Buy Puppy Lover In Your Life
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Choose a Reputable Breeder
It is important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share details about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get the list of breeding companies.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out an upscale, clean facility where the puppy and the mother dog are kept. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a vet who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the vet's name and telephone number and give you consultation notes.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that would prevent them from selling you an animal. For instance, if they know you have children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder may require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as in addition to 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 will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to acquire a personal understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders and prospective 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 perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof, however, and does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal conditions later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. The majority of these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Early socialization is important 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 fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps them learn to get along with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in groups. 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 sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.
It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know many different people during this time, in addition to other pets. This will help reduce anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. 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 only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be limited so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. This will help your puppy see that older, larger dogs do not have to be scary. It can also help them develop a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a class as soon as you can particularly when they are still young. german shepherd kaufen will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you teach your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they get older.
Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals who enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Obedience training can also help to prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a threat to their family members and neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old because they are in an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it is likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They may also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners do not 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 they have a strong desire to please their owners as well as 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!