How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for many years for the health and education of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which place profit ahead of the health of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

It is important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and SchäFerhund Kaufen Welpe health testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are being raised.

The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or organization. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain the list of breeding companies.

Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should look for an upscale, clean facility in which the puppies and their mother are kept in a secure. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.

A responsible breeder will also be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and telephone number and give you a consultation note.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that could prevent them from selling you puppies. If they are aware that you have young children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract when purchasing 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 breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, Schäferhund kaufen welpe GDV and irements. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.

Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these situations as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.

It is also crucial for the puppy to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. An excellent example is when the 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 manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted so that the pup isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more friendly and Deutscher Schäferhund pflege calm dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all older, SchäFerhundwelpen Kaufen larger dogs are fearsome and helps them develop an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a class as soon as you can particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands the easier it is for them to follow your directions as they age.

Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property, which can lead to them barking at people or animals who venture into their area. Territorial behavior can be slowed through the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause annoyance to their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to delight their owners and if they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss and reduces "cabin-fever." It's a great way to connect with your German Shepherd, too!