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Blog entry by Chance Gleeson

5 Myths About German Shepherd Buy Puppy That You Should Avoid

5 Myths About German Shepherd Buy Puppy That You Should Avoid

How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.

Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are raised.

52526780752_05caa47e32_h-1024x772.jpgYour local German king shepherd kaufen club or organization is the best place to begin. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you to reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain an updated list of licensed breeders.

Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet that can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They can give you the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and will provide you with the records of consultation.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living situation that could prevent them from selling you a puppy. If they know you have young kids 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.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign an agreement for the purchase of 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 vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and SchäFerhund BeschüTzerinstinkt bloat.

Breeders who are trusted are determined to understand the temperaments and health conditions of each dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely communicate this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to take certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.

Common genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds, Deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through 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, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and German Shepherd to give away spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof, however, and cannot determine if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal diseases later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. The majority of these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence with new people and environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to interact with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights 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 various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy doesn't grow up fearful or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.

It is also crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This will help to prevent separation anxiety 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 be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and gentle dogs. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs do not need to be terrifying. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.

Training

German Shepherds require firm regular obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a class as soon as possible, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good time to introduce them to basic commands, such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors, the easier it is for them to follow your directions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their homes and property which could lead to them barking at people or animals that enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Obedience training will aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They can easily be distracted by other animals, toys or children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach 16 weeks old since they enter an important phase of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it's likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They could also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!

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