lawdaniel71

User Name: You need to be a registered (and logged in) user to view username.

Total Articles : 0

http://exploreourpubliclands.org/members/chimeshark87/activity/632431/

How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy youre taking on a massive commitment Youll be accountable for many years for the training and health of your dog Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal Choose a reputable breeding center instead Choosing a Reputable Breeder Before you buy a German Shepherd pup its important to get to know the breeder Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization as well as the environment where their puppies are raised The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or organization Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer who can guide you to breeders who are reputable You can also contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders Take the time to meet a breeders representative in person after youve found one who meets your standards for breeding You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy You should know if they have been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye problems A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy of your puppys medical record and the most current vaccination schedule They should have a great working relationship with a vet who is able to carry out all necessary tests and vaccines They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and give you a consultation note Its also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that might hinder them from selling you an animal If they know that you have young kids and they are concerned about your childrens safety they might not wish to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children A reputable breeder will require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as well as a returntobreeder clause This is a great method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they have a good home Health Tests Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding collection This is to ensure that they dont produce puppies with an inherited disease These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia degenerative myelopathy and GDV also known as bloat In addition to health screening reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of every dog they have They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and potential buyers The Kennel Clubs Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs These tests also allow breeders make better mating decisions that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in future generations Typical genetic tests include Hip Dysplasia German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with weight control activity limitations supplements and drugs The Xrays are made under conscious sedation to obtain exact results Then they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA The OFA test looks for hemivertebrae butterfly vertebrae block vertebrae lumbarsacral vertebrae LSTV and spondylosis and spina bifida This test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dogs spinal condition is degenerative myelopathy Socialization GSDs require intense physical exercise training and mental stimulation to stay active They can get bored easily and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional needs This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies navigate to this website allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and surroundings It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings They are also exposed to a variety of smells sights and sounds The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group environment which is essential to their success as dogs who mature The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises such as doorbells vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like traffic sirens and construction This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not become afraid or anxious of these sounds The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process It is also crucial for the puppy to meet many different people during this time as well as other pets This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away One good 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 safe controlled manner with other dogs At first the interaction should be limited so that the pup isnt overwhelmed The puppy should also be able to be around calmer older and more friendly dogs This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger older dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a positive temperament Training German Shepherds require constant consistent obedience training Its important to start classes early especially when theyre still puppies This will allow them to grow into wellmannered confident dogs It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands like sit down sit and stay The earlier you teach your dog these basic behaviors theyll be more likely to obey your instructions as they age Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds They can be extremely protective of their homes and property which can lead to screaming or groaning at other people or animals that enter their territory Territorial behavior is averted through the proper training exercise and socialization Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds If a dog doesnt have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a threat to their family members and their neighbors They are easily distracted by other pets toys or children and disregard basic commands such as 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 they reach the age of 16 weeks as they go through an important phase of brain development during this time If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this its likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult They could also be more susceptible to fearbased aggression or anxiety Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature and they have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work If they dont exercise enough they can become bored or even destructive Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces cabinfever It also improves circulation aids with weight loss and helps reduce cabinfever Its the perfect way to bond with your German Shepherd also