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Our entire kennel is maintained
on Solid Gold and Canine
Performance Nutrition Products.
Visit our Landschaft store for
more information on these
and other fine products.
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Locate a good Vet. Get referrals by talking to your breeder, your friends, and other dog owners you are familiar with.
Choose a good obedience instructor by shopping around for the best school for you and your dog. Your Vet, your breeder, and your local pet supply store should have info on quality instruction in your area.
Think about obtaining more information on the many dog sports and activities available to you and your new puppy.Agility, flyball, herding, competitve obedience, schutzhund and search and rescue are just a few things German Shepherd Dogs enjoy.
Ask the breeder about the possibility of having your new puppy microchipped before taking him home. This permanent form of identification could be a life saver.
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Puppy Information & Tips
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The
first step in finding the perfect puppy is locating a respected
breeder. While a responsible breeder is proud of their dogs
and their breeding program and happy to show you their facilities
and tell you about their dogs, they are also concerned about
their puppies' welfare. Expect a good breeder to ask you
several questions about your lifestyle and your choice of
the German Shepherd breed as an addition to your family.
Don't be offended by the breeder wishing to select your
puppy for you or to offer you a limited selection to choose
from. A breeder lives with the puppies on a day to day basis
from the minute they are born. They know every detail about
each individual puppy's personality. The breeder's experience
and intimate knowledge of the litter puts the breeder in
a better position to assist you in selecting the right puppy
for your individual circumstances for a lifetime of enjoyment
with your new companion.
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A pet shop or the newspaper should not be the source for your new puppy.
A reputable breeder would never advertise their dogs in either.
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 Socialization is crucial - the first 16 weeks of your puppy's life is critical to his development. This is the imprinting stage where his experiences shape his personality. This is one of the reasons a responsible breeder keeps the litter until the puppies are 8 weeks old. A good breeder will handle their puppies several times each day and properly socialize your puppy from birth until it leaves for its new home by exposing the puppies to a variety of sights, sounds and strange surroundings. From the time the puppy leaves its breeder's home and littermates, it is the responsibility of his new family to help shape his personality in a positive manner. Good genetics plays a part but if a puppy isn't properly socialized during puppyhood, it never becomes the confident adult it should be. Do remember to explore "high risk" areas only after your puppy has completed its vaccination schedule with your Vet. Once he has completed his vaccinations, take your puppy EVERYWHERE! Get creative. Go to train stations, pumpkin patches, outdoor festivals, your local lumber yard (ask permission first) etc. Carry treats with you and ask the people you meet if they would please give your puppy one. Remember never to pet your puppy when he is afraid. You will only be reinforcing this behavior and always remember to praise your puppy for being brave.
Proper Nutrition is Key - beware of "bargain" brands of dog food. The percentages of protein and other nutrients may be the same as some of the premium brands but it is the amount of digestible nutrients that is important. The best way to ensure that your puppy is getting the good nutrition that he/she needs is to do your research on the quality of ingredients and choose an excellent commercial brand (Our kennel is maintained on Solid Gold Health and Canine Performance Nutrition products.)
Use the crate for house training - initially, every time you put your puppy in his crate, make it a pleasant experience by throwing a treat in ahead of him and say "crate" or "kennel". Put him inside and shut the door, then walk away. Don't respond to his emotional outcry. Soon, he will get used to his crate and will go into it willingly. At night, let him relieve himself before crating him and he should be good for several hours. He will be able to hold it longer, as he gets a little older. Dogs do not like to soil where they sleep and that is why crate training is so successful. With a new puppy, remember to listen for him to cry to wake you when he needs to go out. If you don't hear him and take him out when he needs to go, you will create a "dirty dog" who will adjust to living in a dirty, smelly crate and that's not good for either one of you.. NEVER use the crate as punishment. Supervision is one of the keys to successful housebreaking. If you cannot supervise him, put him in his crate where he cannot make a "mistake" or worse, ingest something that could be potentially fatal.
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Feel free to contact us at any time for more information on how
to properly take care of and enjoy your German Shepherd Dog
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