How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible, for many years, for the health and schäferhund welpen öSterreich kaufen education of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to share information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be happy to provide information about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Most breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll need proof that they have been checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They can provide the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and also provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This might hinder the breeder from selling a puppy to you. For instance when they know that you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be a bit 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 in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Breeders with a good reputation will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders and potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better mating decisions that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's spinal condition is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence with new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of 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 crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
During this time, it is crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. One good example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be restricted to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older and friendly dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs don't have to be scary. It will also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in classes early enough particularly when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their property and homes, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals who venture into their area. Territorial behavior can be prevented by exercising, training, deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich schäferhunde schäferhund baby kaufen (visit the up coming document) and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could be a nuisance, or even a threat to their family members and their neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals toys or children, and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years it is important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are going through a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it is likely to be more difficult for them to learn new things when they become adults. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists with weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!