(info on raising our pups is lower on this page) 

Morekos spends countless hours planning each litter and we are very selective about who we entrust our German Shepherds with. Countless animals are abandoned at animal shelters every week due to a lack of planning and thought made prior to taking on the responsibility of dog ownership. Owning a dog should be viewed as a commitment to a dogs entire life. It is a huge responsibility and not a right. We know our dogs and want their needs and lives to match those of our prospective new families, so they will go on to flourish and meet their full potential in a forever home.

Before inquiring about one of our pups please consider the following and be honest-

· Do you know much about GSD's?

· Can you afford the up keep of a GSD? (approx $2000 per year + unexpected vet bills)

· Can you afford pet insurance and unexpected vet bills?

· Do you have a large secure fenced yard?

· Will you allow the dog indoors? (dogs are social animals and thrive indoors)

· Are you active and able to exercise your GSD for hours each day?

· Do you have time to train your new friend? (all dogs need plenty of training)

· Do you have the time to intensively socialise your pup? (lack of socialising leads to fear and anxiety)

· Does everyone in the home agree to get a dog?

· Do you have other pets, will they tolerate a dog?

· Are your neighbors OK with a dog living next door?

· Are you able to commit to caring for a dog for the next 12 years?

If you have answered 'no' to any of the above questions, it may not be the right time in your life to commit to a GSD. There are far more things to consider than listed above but it is important to be sure of your decision, before making the choice of bringing a dog in to your life.

A German Shepherd is a loyal, loving and devoted companion They give you as much as you give them so be sure it is the best. A dog is solely dependent on its owner and in return devotes its life to the one it trusts.

Positively raising your puppy

All MOREKOS puppies are sent home with detailed information to help new owners get off to the right start with their puppy. This page contains similar information and outlines the way we would like our pups to be brought up. MOREKOS selects breeding animals that have proven themselves to have sound temperaments and pass all the health and breed requirements expected by the GSDL and Affiliated breeders clubs, however the environment and upbringing that puppies receive will determine if they meet their full potential.

All Morekos puppies are expected to enrol in an appropriate puppy preschool

Why? It is crucial that your puppy is properly socialized and trained in order to create a well mannered, companion animal, as an adult. The earlier these life skills are learnt, the less likely a pup will be to develop a behavioural problem.The average puppies crucial socializing period ends at around 16 weeks old and literature suggest that for the German Shepherd breed, this period could end as early as 10 weeks. Enrolling in a puppy preschool provides a safe outlet for socialising and bond enhancing, early formal training.

However puppy preschool alone will not create an obedient and social dog, this will take considerably more work and time. Socializing must include exposure to as many sights, sounds, people, places and animals as possible, all of which must be a positive experience for the dog.

Taking the time to invest in all this socializing will help to ensure your pup is not afraid of everyday scenarios in the future. If a dog is kept isolated it will develop fears of new people and places, which will be very difficult to overcome.

Training is an important part of any dog's life. It provides mental stimulation, which helps to keep your dog happy and it creates a mutual bond of respect and understanding between you and your dog, however it has to be taught correctly.

Positive reinforcement and motivational training is the way to go.

Why? Reward-based training methods whereby the dog is set up to succeed and then rewarded for performing the ‘good’ behaviour (positive reinforcement), is enjoyable for the dog and positively enhances the relationship between the dog and handler. Rewards may be in the form of a toy, tasty food treat or verbal praise such as "good dog!" in a pleasant tone of voice, to be given when the dog performs the ‘good’ behaviour. Reward-based training also involves redirecting ‘unwanted’ behaviours and avoiding creating a mishap by thinking ahead of time. I.E - before the dog jumps up ask it to sit and reward it for doing so. If you have a young pup in the house, crate it when you can't watch it to avoid accidents happening.

Aversion therapy or physical punishment should be avoided and used as a last resort in training programs. Punishing a dog for 'unwanted' behaviour can sometimes exacerbate the problem. Punishment undermines the trust that is important to establish in the bond with your dog. If you constantly have to punish your dog for the same infraction then the technique is not working and this constitutes to abuse. Stay far away from trainers that want to immediately use harsh aversion/punishment style methods, such as, choke, prong or electric collars. If a dog is taught properly from the start and understands what is expected of it then there will be no need to give a harsh correction. In the event that a behaviour is out of control and must be stopped but no other training method has proven effective, then and only then should a professional and experienced trainer consider the use of a harsh technique and it still should not need to be used repetitively, if it is administered effectively and is justifiable.

Teaching obedience commands is relatively easy to do, but changing a dog’s negative behaviours and perceptions is a lot harder.

For further reading please refer to    http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/

Remember positive training equals positive results – it might require a bit more time and patience on your part, but the positive changes you’ll see in your dog are worth it.

MOREKOS trains all dogs using dog friendly scientifically based techniques with  outstanding results.