Happy Pets

Choosing a puppy appears to be rather a haphazard affair, and when you consider how many different breeds there are to choose from and how human nature varies, it’s not surprising we sometimes end up with the wrong dog. So, let’s approach the subject of buying a puppy from a completely different angle—the puppy’s. For a long-lasting and fruitful relationship, you need not only the right breed, but also the right temperament. First of all, we must sweep away all the old sayings about buying dogs: for example, if you have a large house you can have a large dog; if you live in a flat you must have a small dog. As far as I am concerned, the size of your living accommodation is irrelevant to the size of your dog. A Great Dane will be quite contented living in a flat if he’s given the right amount of exercise and attention from his owner, and let’s forget the nonsense about little dogs requiring little exercise. Unless you’re thinking in terms of a Chihuahua, every dog needs to be exercised daily.

The problem with most prospective owners is that they don’t consider that their life style has any relevance to the dog they choose. They don’t stop for one moment to think of their own temperament and ability. Choosing a dog should be just as important as choosing a husband or wife. After all, you’re going to live with each other for the next ten to fifteen years. I know that if there’s a particular breed you have your heart set upon I will not be able to change your mind; I just hope it’s the right choice. And for those of you who are in a quandary, let me give you a few guidelines.

Where to buy your puppy

The best advice I can give you is to ask your local veterinary surgeon, who will give you an unbiased opinion of who he thinks is the best breeder in your area. In my experience, the best puppies come from those breeders who only keep a small number of dogs and have the occasional litter. These people are far more involved with their puppies and take great care in their welfare. The larger kennels who breed quite a selection of different types and rely on staff to care for the litters cannot possibly give the necessary time and attention to each litter.

Don’t be afraid to shop around. If a breeder does not want you to look at his puppies until you’ve ordered, then go elsewhere.You’re looking for clean, healthy puppies and a breeder who has the best interests of his dogs at heart. Those breeders who ask you no questions and take the money eagerly are to be avoided. The ones who give you a third-degree on how the puppy is to be housed and reared and trained are the best to buy from.

Which puppy?

Once you have settled on the breed you require and found a reliable breeder, you still have a lot of work in front of you before you can take the right puppy home. Ensure that you can have the puppy at six weeks old and that, in the meantime, the breeder will allow you to sit ?rid watch the puppies at play. You can learn so much from seeing how their mother chastises them, from watching their rough-and-tumbles and how they bite each other and play together. For in the near future you are going to simulate these games with your puppy.

How can you choose the right puppy from the litter and be sure he’ll match your temperament? ‘Oh, but he’ll choose me,’ I can hear you say. The one who rushes out, climbing over brothers and sisters, dives on your foot and chews your shoelace is the one you’ll pick. Probably your biggest mistake. That is the most dominant puppy of the litter. A far better way of assessing each puppy’s character is to carry out the series of temperament tests I have listed below, between the age of five and six weeks. The breeder must do this, as the puppies will give a totally different picture if tested by a stranger. Each puppy must be tested individually, away from its mother and brothers and sisters, either on a quiet lawn or in a room in the house and, as each test is completed, write the correct number down on your list.

Warning: Pet Responsibilities

Have you given enough thought and consideration to the responsibilities of dog ownership? Thousands of people don’t. Consequently, dog welfare societies are full of unwanted dogs. What will you do with your dog at holiday times? Can you afford expensive vet’s bills if he’s ill? What will you do if you have chosen the wrong puppy and cannot handle him? Over half the dog owners I come into contact with have chosen the wrong dog. In these circumstances, quite a number of things happen. The worst of all is that they dump the dog anywhere, or take it along to the nearest dog shelter. Some of the owners struggle on bravely, constantly battling to be the boss. Consequently, the dog gets more difficult to control and suffers because the owner is unable to take him for long walks. The dog either drags too much on the lead or won’t come back when he’s allowed his freedom. In extreme cases, an untrained dog will assert his authority completely over his human owner, growling and even biting. Except in some very rare cases, where a dog is mentally unstable, the owner must take the full blame.

What do you do if you already own the wrong dog or have an older dog who is completely untrained? Start at the very beginning, learning first and foremost how to play with your dog. You’ll be amazed at the way your relationship changes. Your dog will begin to view you in a different light. He’ll be keen to be with you and please you and your training lessons will be a pleasure.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Lovely Pet and Perfect Owner, a Comfortable Match: Choosing the Right Puppy

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This entry was posted on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 at 8:10 am and is filed under Dogs, Kennels, Puppies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.