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How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years. Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead. Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are being raised. The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed. Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems. A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can 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 about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This could stop the breeder from selling a puppy to you. If they are aware that you have young children, they may not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children. deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung will require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain 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 responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes. Health Tests Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as bloat). Breeders who are trusted are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers. As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests. These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make better informed choices about mating that will lower the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations. Common genetic tests include Hip Dysplasia The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. The test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's spinal condition is degenerative myelopathy. Socialization GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations. Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is essential to their success as adults. Introduce the puppy to different 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 to ensure that the puppy does not develop afraid or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process. It is also crucial for the puppy to meet many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This will help to prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when a 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 controlled, secure way with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be confined to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will help your puppy see that older, larger dogs do not have to be terrifying. It will also aid in developing an excellent attitude. Training German Shepherds require firm and consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in classes early, especially when they are still puppies. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a great 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 behaviors they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they grow older. Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, which can lead to barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed through exercising, training, and socialization. Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause annoyance to their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands like “sit” or “down.” During the puppy years It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy until then it's likely to be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear. One thing that a lot of pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces “cabin fever,” improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's a great way to connect with your German Shepherd also!