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How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you’re making a big commitment. You’ll 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. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.

Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation

It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment that their puppies are being raised.

The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.

Once you’ve identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should search for an environment that is clean and comfortable where the puppy and the mother dog are kept. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should be aware if they’ve been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.

A responsible breeder will also be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy’s medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian and telephone number and provide you with consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could stop them from bringing the puppy to you. If they know that you have young children, they may not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

A reputable breeder will also require that you 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 the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don’t create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called bloat).

Breeders who are reputable seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders and potential buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club’s Assured breeder program members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.

Typical genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then 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 completely foolproof however, and it does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can easily become bored and a lack of exercise may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup build confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches them to be around their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave in a group, which is key to their success as adult dogs.

The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable 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 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 and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a secure way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy doesn’t become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy see that larger, older dogs do not have to be terrifying. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.

Training

German Shepherds require firm, consistent obedience training. It is important to get them into an early training class, especially when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your directions as they get older.

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 them barking at other people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted through exercising, training, and socialization.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren’t properly trained may cause annoyance to their neighbors and family members. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as “sit” and “down.”

During the puppy years it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach the age of 16 weeks, as they go through an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy it is likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety or fear-based aggression.

Many dog owners don’t realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don’t get enough exercise they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases “cabin fever,” improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It’s an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!