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How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You will be responsible for a long time for the training and health of your dog. Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over animal welfare. Pick a reputable breeder. How to Choose a Reputable Breeder Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and practices with you. Breeders are happy to share information about their dogs as well as practices with you. Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeding companies. Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should look for a clean, comfortable facility where the puppy and the mother dog are confined. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to know if they have been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues. A responsible breeder will also be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet that can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and will provide you with the records of consultation. Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may prevent them from selling a puppy to you. If they are aware that you have children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children. You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a crucial way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes. Health Tests Breeders who are trustworthy will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat. In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the health and temperament of each pet they own. They also are able to freely and completely communicate this information to 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. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests. deutscher schäferhund pflege are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary illnesses in the next generations. The most common genetic tests are Hip Dysplasia German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through exercise restrictions, weight control, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken with conscious sedation to obtain precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof however, and does not tell you if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in life. Socialization GSDs require a lot of physical activity along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup build confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations. Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn how to behave within a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature. The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these situations as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process. It is also important that the puppy gets to meet many different people over this time, in addition to other pets. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs. The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a secure, controlled manner and the interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs do not need to be frightening. It will also aid in developing an attitude of confidence. Training German Shepherds require firm, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into classes as soon as you can and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a good time to introduce them to basic commands, such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your instructions as they age. Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly protective of their home and property, resulting in barking or yelling at people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented through exercising, training, and socialization. Other issues with behavior can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and neighbours. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like “sit” and “down.” In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach the age of 16 weeks because they are in a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it is likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They could also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety. Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases “cabin fever,” improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's a great way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!