Are there any ways you can help prevent hip displacia with German Shepherds?

I'm getting a new purebred,8 week old German Shepherd puppy, and i've been doing my research on dog training, health problems, etc. And I've noticed that a lot of ads include German Shepherd hip displacia, and in some cases owners pets have died from it. I was wondering if anyone knew any ways to help prevent it, I am planning to get this puppy to be fully trained and extremely healthy. ( Her name is Lily, and we get to bring her home February 13th, 2011)

displacia is genetic. only good breeding can prevent it. the disease can be crippling and very painful. only buy from a reputable dealer who has hip guarantees for both parents of your puppy.

Yes, you purchase a dog whose parents are OFA'd excellent. That is the *only* way to prevent hip displacia.

Ask the. Breeeder if the pupps parents are ofa hip certified and to show you the health certificate if they don't have the papers find another breeder that does the displacia is genetic. If the pup does get hip displacia hydratherepy and a great diet with glucosime and cholodrotin supplements help a lot sorry about the spelling

i just learned this from my vet: to help prevent it: keep your dog at a good weight(easier on the hips) do low impact exercises, like walking . no jumping, no running hard. buy dog food with glucosamine and condroitin in it. YOU WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS SINCE SHE IS JUST A PUP, BUT GOOD TO KNOW FOR WHEN SHE GETS OLDER. ENJOY YOUR NEW PUP

I have a German Shepard too, he doesn't have the hip problem because it has been breed out of him. It's sad when German Shepards have that, that's why it's wise to get a dog from a breeder.

The parent dog need to be tested and have there hips pass that is how you prevent your pup from getting it. They don't die from it but a lot of dogs get put down as they no longer can get around properly and they quality of life would be bad. Make sure you ask and see the health certificates of the parents hip xrays no certs don't buy a puppy from those breeders.

There are some new methods that are for puppies under five months that are supposed to work.. But it's still not proven. Otherwise just lots of exercise or if you could find out if either of the parents had it that might also be helpful. But purebred dogs tend to have more health problems then mutts and mutts have great personalities!

Hi My dad wanted to train his dog to do a few tricks and things as he is 84 and needed help, my dad that is not the dog! So i found something on the internet that seems to be just the ticket for him, the dog and my dad!maybe this could be what your looking for?Good luck

Hey I see that you need some sort of guide that will give you tips and tricks to help your dog become fully trained and more healthy. Recently one of my friends really needed some advise on how to train his dog. He followed the dog training academy course to successfully have a full trained dog in a few weeks.

I was able to completely change my dog from being an annoying dog puller that would try and run me to the ground and bark at any other dog he would come across, to a dog that would stay by my side no matter where we go. This was a HUGE improvement and makes our walks so much more enjoyable.