5 Common Myths About German Shepherd Buy Puppy You Should Stay Clear Of
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
It's essential to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are being raised.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or group. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain an updated list of licensed breeding companies.
Take the time to meet a breeder in person after you've found one that meets your standards for breeding. You should search for Reinrassiger Schäferhund a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppies and their mother are confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide the name of the vet and his phone number and also provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that could stop them from offering you a puppy. For example when they know that you have young children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number as well as an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will test 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 and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as bloat).
Breeders who are trusted are determined to understand the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they have. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders and potential 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 identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't 100% reliable, however, and cannot determine if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal disorders later in life.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup develop confidence in new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to various scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn to behave in a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
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 essential so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these sounds as an adult. 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 a puppy to get to know numerous people during this time, in addition to other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety while 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 in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs do not need to be scary. It will also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds need firm, consistent obedience training. It is important to start a training class early particularly when they are still puppies. This will assist them in developing into confident, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung schäferhund kaufen österreich (wifidb.science) well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic behaviors, they will be more likely to obey your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their home and property which could lead to their barking at strangers or animals that enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training for 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 may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important when they reach the age of 16 weeks because they are in an important period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging in adulthood and will be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and german Shepherd dog Care happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to work and delight their owners If they don't have enough things to do, they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd, too!