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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 responsible, for many years, for the health and education of your dog. Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeding facility instead. Choosing a Reputable Breeder It is important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be happy to provide information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. Breeders will be delighted to share details about their dogs and practices with you. The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you to reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get the list of breeding companies. Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one that meets your standards for breeding. Find a clean facility where the mother and puppies are comfortably confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You would like to verify that they've been checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy. A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide you with the name of the doctor and telephone number and provide you with consultation notes. Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may hinder them from bringing puppies to you. For instance If they know that you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children. A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they go to good homes. Health Tests Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat. Breeders who are trustworthy seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of each dog they own. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and potential buyers. The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests. These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed decisions about mating that will lower the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations. Common genetic tests include Hip Dysplasia German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the 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 under anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The OFA test checks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal conditions later in the course of. Socialization GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually due to unmet emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations. The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This helps them learn to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is essential to their success as adults. The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds like 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 develop scared or anxious about these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process. During this time, it is also important that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This will help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies. The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a secure, controlled manner and the interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs do not need to be scary. It can also help them develop a good attitude. Training German Shepherds need strict and consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in classes early especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors the more easy it is for them to follow your directions as they age. Territorial aggression is a common issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, resulting in barking or growling at people or animals that enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior. Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like “sit” and “down.” In the early years of puppyhood It is essential to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old because they are in an important phase of brain development during this period. If Our Web Site is a sheltered puppy until then it's likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things when they become adults. They may also be more prone towards fear-based aggression or anxiety. Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to satisfy their owners If they don't have enough to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces “cabin fever,” improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!