Choose a Puppy Dog What is right for you and your family
Sometimes people choose a puppy for all the wrong reasons. I have come across this a lot of times. The owners get a puppy which has maybe now grown into a dog and they cannot cope with it. They don’t know how.
That’s when they call me. They want me to rectify their mistake. I like to tell them that they are the best person to train their puppy dog. I’m not turning away customers; I just believe that the owner has a perfect opportunity to bond with the puppy and create a better life for all concerned.
Reasons Why People Get Puppies.
It looks cute and the kids want it because it would be great to have a puppy.
Your great grandfather lost his dog after 15 years so you want to get him another one.
It’s a great gift.
It will teach the kids responsibility.
Reasons People Should Not Get Puppies.
Never get any pet just because it looks cute. Pets should not be a fad or phase that kids go through like roller blading. It may end up in the garage with the rest of their toys.
Did any one stop to ask great grandfather if he wanted another dog? Perhaps he wanted a break from having a pet. Maybe he is thinking about a world cruise. Just because you think he wants one does not mean he actually does.
Never, ever give a pet as a gift. Some people think it’s great to give a pet for Christmas. The poor wretch is going to be lost in all that noise and flashing lights, put aside for other toys.
It will be frightened to death, and we all know what happens when someone is frightened and they only have a small bladder. If you get one in the weeks prior to Christmas, there are going to be all those trips away to visit relatives. What happens then?
Having a pet does not teach a child to be responsible. If they haven’t learned to keep themselves and their rooms tidy, how do you expect them to look after a puppy? Puppies are babies and should be treated as such until they are fully trained. Would you give your child the responsibility of looking after a baby? The responsibility is now yours. Is that what you wanted?
Before You Choose a Puppy:
Take a step back for a minute and look at your situation and then ask yourself these basic questions.
What are my long term goals? Get a puppy dog now and I’ve got him for the next 15 years.
What exercise periods can I commit to on a daily basis? Will I stick with it?
Will he be left at home alone for long periods? Who looks after him while I’m away?
Can I stand the cost? Apart from buying him, there will certainly be veterinary fees and other expenses.
Should I consider health insurance for him?
Choose Which Type of Puppy.
If you still want to get a puppy you now need to think about which type and breed to look for that will suit your lifestyle.
Do you like hiking and want to choose a puppy that is energetic or do you live in an apartment and need a smaller dog?
Will he be a companion, a lap dog or a working dog?
Do you want to enter him for showing or agility competitions?
Will he be well behaved and able to socialize with children, older people and other pets regularly?
Do you or anyone in your family suffer from dog related allergies? Choose a puppy less likely to shed.
Decide which type of dog you want and get him into perspective before you even see him. Some breeds behave a lot differently to others. There’s more to a puppy dog than a cute face. Know what you want before you commit yourself. Make a decision on which breed temperament is best for your life style.
If you decide on training your dog for agility or need dog agility equipment, flyball equipment or even flyball training videos, visit FitDogHome.com
Once you’ve chosen the type or breed and you’ve research a few animal shelters or breeders it’s time to go and take a look. You will start looking at all of the dogs available, and wonder how to choose which puppy or dog to have. You will want to know his history.
How to choose a puppy:
There are consequences to buying from the wrong place? Identify the types of kennels and puppy mills to stay away from and which places to go to. You may end up with more than just behavioral problems.
So please - buy only from a reputable place.
Make sure the seller is honest and go visit – several times - before you buy. Adopt from a city pound or rescue group if at all possible.
The final result of your choice will be a puppy dog that will develop good behavior and you can obedience train to be a part of your family.
When looking over the litters watch and observe their actions and reactions before you actually choose a puppy.
The puppies, if awake will be playing and chasing or feeding. You may already have your eye on one of them. Make a noise such as a hand clap or snap your fingers and watch what happens. If the puppy jumps or shies away then it may be timid in nature and could develop a nervous or submissive behavior. If it looks up and/or comes towards you, it may be more curious.
Entice them towards you with cooing noises or slapping the floor. The one that runs to you may bond with humans more easily. If he stops to smell the roses on the way and appear indifferent, he may be more independent and harder to train. He may even have a hearing problem.
It could be that the puppy who tramples over another to get to you first has an alpha streak and the other is less dominant or it may be that the other didn’t get out of the way in time. You should go back and visit several times – at least three – before making up your mind.
Do not, I repeat, do not buy on impulse and definitely do not choose a puppy that will be a gift – ever.
These are only guide lines of course and each potential owner will have to make up their own mind. Not every owner wants an alpha dog, in fact they should be taught to loose their alpha behavior
Animal shelters:
If you choose a puppy from an animal shelter or rescue, glean as much information from them as you can. You will need to know where he came from and under what circumstances.
If possible, ask to see parents or siblings. Also, find out how he gets on with his peers. Check his activity level. He may be too hyperactive for your home or he may be lethargic or sickly? Watch and see how measures up against the rest of the litter. Find out if he has been checked out by a vet and what was the result.
Breeders:
All of the information for animal shelters applies to breeders if you intend to choose a puppy from them. In addition you must insist on seeing the parents and if possible, the siblings. You must definitely insist on seeing their living areas. In fact, try to look everywhere. If anywhere is off limits, ask why. Most breeders are helpful and want only what is best for the puppy.
Others questions you may want answers to are:
Are there physical or psychological medical issues? Will veterinary bills bankrupt you?
Will he be safe around children or other pets?
Do you already have dogs or other pets? Choose a puppy that will fit in.
Will you be able to train him? Get the training knowledge here.
Will shedding be a problem? Will you or a professional service groom him?
What questions should you ask the seller? There are specific things you need to know up front about your new purchase before you buy and is there a take back agreement.
A good breeder will want to ask you questions too. They will want to know who the puppy is for and its living arrangements. Many breeders will not sell you a puppy if they feel that there is not one hundred percent commitment by all involved in the ownership and responsibility.
Reputable breeders will not be pushing for sales around any holiday period or the weeks prior. It just isn’t fair to the puppy but they will help you choose a puppy that is right for you.
Bringing him home:
Okay you’ve made your choice. Now let’s take him home but be prepared for accidents on the way. Is your home prepared when you choose a puppy dog? Follow these steps to
puppy proof
your home. There are lots to do before you bring a new puppy or dog into your home. Home needs to be a safe haven free of potential hazards that can hurt - or worse. Are your possessions safe from destruction? Go through the checklist to see if your home is safe.
Effective training:
You need to choose a puppy training program irrespective of which breed you get. Whether you stay at home or go on a pet friendly vacation your dog needs to be house trained and well disciplined. It is always more satisfying to train a puppy yourself and there are some good online programs to choose from.
house training
house training should begin as soon as possible. Get him off to a good start as soon as you get him home. Once you get him home, he needs to know the house rules - and so do you. Everyone in the home needs to know what is right and wrong and not deviate from those rules. Do this now and you’ll all be happy.
Obedience training will give him a better quality of life. Get him off to a good start by helping him understand. Follow the obedience training tips and lay the foundations for a beautiful friendship. Learn how to train him with outstanding results. It just needs patience and knowledge. You provide the patience.
Behavioral training: identify behavioral problems and learn how to correct them. Sometimes there may behavioral problems that he has acquired that were not picked up or identified in the early stages and are now becoming a problem and embarrassment. Learn to identify them and correct them now before they get out of hand.
You may even choose a puppy that will go on to learn agility training for those fun photo shots or for competition or learn how to teach him tricks.
Going away:
It’s vacation time. The kids want to go to Disney so what happens to your new family member?
Does he stay at home? Staying at home means a choice between pet sitters and boarders. Will the pet sitter be professional or a friend? Which boarding kennel would you send him to and why?
Will he come with you on vacation? Look for some of the excellent places such as hotels that accept dogs.
Will you travel by road? Prepare for your trip by making him safe and secure in the car.
If you are going by air, what are his best options?
Nutrition and exercise:
Create a good health plan for him. The correct diet and exercise will give you a happy, healthy friend for years. choose a puppy a good diet early and keep him healthy and active with a nice glossy coat. Start as you mean to go on.
