I want a puppy!
So you've decided to buy a puppy? Dogs can bring joy, laughter, love, loyalty, protection and companionship into your life. However, there are a few things you need to be aware of before you choose the puppy you wish to bring into your home. Use the following checklist to ensure you purchase the puppy that's right for you.
The Breeder
* Is the breeder experienced with the breed of puppy you are choosing? Can she answer any questions you have? Will she stand behind the puppy if problems arise?
* Has the breeder explained all the pros and cons of the breed you have chosen? Every dog has good and bad characteristics and the breeder should make you aware of them.
* Has the breeder insisted the puppy be enrolled in obedience school? Today many reputable breeders insist on this.
* Has the breeder offered you a starter kit? Many breeders offer customers a package when they purchase a puppy. It should include instruction on the care of the dog, at least one dog care book for the specific breed you are purchasing, a sample of the puppy chow that the puppy has been being fed, a list of supplies you will need for your puppy and information on obedience schools, dog trainers with experience in behavioral problems and veterinarians in your area.
* Has the breeder discussed crate training with you? The breeder should inform you on how important it is to crate train your puppy, explain how useful crates can be and instruct you on how to use the crate. Crates can keep your puppy safe from harm.
* Does the dog breeder have your puppy's papers in order? You and the breeder should have a contract that you both sign, as well as a pedigree. Reputable breeders sell puppies with a spay and neuter requirement. This means you don't receive your puppy's papers registration application until the puppy has been spayed or neutered. All stipulations should be specified in the contract and explained to you so that you fully understand what your responsibilities are. There should never be an extra fee for your puppy's pedigree.
* Be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau, or an equivalent to ensure the breeder that you are buying from is reputable.
Health
* When a breeder takes you to see the puppies, take note if they appear healthy and clean. Puppies should have bright, sparkling eyes, a healthy looking coat, clean ears and no odor. They should be active, frisky and full of life.
* Ask the breeder if the puppies have been de-wormed and vaccinated. If they have, the veterinarian would have issued a report stating exactly what was done.
* Ask the breeder if the puppies have been checked for hereditary diseases and conditions. Ask if the pups have been certified in these areas.
Socialization
* Are the puppies active, friendly and fascinated by people? Do they come running to meet you when approached? Puppies love being held, petted, played with and they should have outgoing personalities. If puppies shy away when you approach, buyer beware. You might want to consider choosing a different breeder.
* Is the mother dog attractive and friendly? Is she clean and does she look as if she is well cared for? By the time puppies are old enough to be weaned, the mother shouldn't be overprotective of them or act in an aggressive way when you approach. If the puppy's father is around, he should be friendly and greet you with ease. Never buy a puppy if either of his parents is aggressive. Dog aggression is often hereditary and you don't want a dog that has a bad temperament.
* Are the puppies old enough to be sold? Puppies should not be separated from their litter until they are between 6 and 8 weeks old; 8 are best. On the other hand, puppies should have homes before they are 10 weeks old to prevent them from becoming dependent on their mother and siblings.
* Has the breeder begun to socialize the puppies? If the puppies have spent time with humans and have been given proper care, attention and training, it will be obvious in the puppy's reaction to you. It's imperative that puppies become socialized at a very early age.
Your Responsibilities
* Are you committed to the dog that you're planning on purchasing for the rest of its life? Purchasing a puppy is not something to be taken lightly. You are committing to the care, training and health of the dog and to love it and tend to its every need. Dogs, depending on the breed and life's circumstances, usually live 10 years or more.
It is your responsibility to make sure it is in good health and happy as long as it lives. A dog is not a toy that you buy and then toss it in the corner when you're tired of it. Dogs are living things that have to be nurtured. They have to be cared for and take as much, or more, care as a child. Owning a puppy is a very serious commitment and not to be taken lightly. If you are willing to spend the next dozen or more years caring for your dog, then by all means bring one into your life. You will have a firm bond to each other and spend many happy hours interacting together.
Let's play
Playing is as important for your dog as breathing and eating. In order to have a dog that is properly mentally and physically developed, it is essential that play is part of its growth process.
Without a chance to play, whether it is with people, other dogs or even just a puppy playing with itself, a dog will not grow into a fully developed adult dog. Play is a very important requirement in order to produce a dog that is emotionally, physically, mentally and socially ready to function as a socially acceptable adult dog.
Puppies at play are learning to communicate with each other, they are learning how to fight without hurting the other dog, they practice hunting techniques and they have fun.
There are two schools of thought on puppy play. Some trainers think that a puppy should be allowed at least 30 minutes of free play each day. It is thought that this helps develop the puppy's brain, while the other school of thought believes that a puppy should receive training and direction as soon as possible in order to avoid learning bad habits.
How do puppies play? Puppies generally jump around from one form of activity to another with chewing, nipping, tugging and play fighting being the chief forms of play. In many breeds there are certain characteristics that stand out, as in hunting dogs the idea of stalking and hunting seems to be easy to observe.
A play bow seems to be an important way a dog communicates with another dog. A play bow is when the front legs are down in front of the puppy and the hind quarters are up in the air with a tail that wags or not. This is an invitation to come and fool around; I want to have some fun. The muscles should be loose and relaxed and not tight and stiff. The play bow also tells the other puppy/dog that if I accidentally nip or bite you I am only fooling and I am sorry.
A play bow with the puppy running means chase me. If the puppy/dog has a toy in its mouth it is an invitation for the other dog to chase and try to get the toy.
Wrestling and nipping during play is a way for a puppy/dog to learn how to control its bite. If the puppy continually bites too hard its playmate generally will leave the play and the biting puppy begins to learn a valuable lesson.
Puppy play is usually mock fighting, it is a way to learn how to fight and protect themselves, but also a lesson in controlling their bite and ferociousness.
At times the puppies may get into a pinning match where one dog places its head or body over another dog. In play the underdog can usually wiggle out, but once in a while it gets into a growling match as the top dog begins to feel dominant. In this case it maybe necessary for the owners to separate the puppies and get them to calm down.
A sign of play is loose muscles and joints and they are moving a lot, however a sign of stiff joints and muscles can relate to an over excited dog that may start a scuffle or fight. In this case redirection of the dog's attention is necessary.
Puppies/dogs do not have hands and as a result everything must go into their mouths. Chewing is a puppy's way of life and is an important factor in their growing up. As the humans in the equation it is up us to supply proper toys for the puppy/dog to chew on.
Puppies learn proper behavior when allowed to stay with its littermates and mother until they are at least 8 weeks to 10 weeks old. During that time mom and the siblings have a chance to correct any improper nipping and biting.
A tug of war is a game puppies/dogs love to play as it gives them a feel of resistance against their teeth and is beneficial in helping to develop jaw and neck muscles. Use and old sock or bandana the goes limp when you or the other puppy lets loose, this is one way to have the dog bring it back to you for more play. Be careful between the ages of 3 to 6 months and do not play too rough as the puppy is getting its adult teeth and you could damage them.
It is suggested that you play with your puppy/dog for at least 15 to 20 minutes a day and stop when the puppy/dog gets tired or becomes bored.
Some other things to keep in mind are offer your puppy/dog a fair amount of toys to play with. Do not allow your puppy under a year to jump on couches, beds or on agility jumps as their bones are still fragile. Do not physically punish you puppy by throwing it to the ground or pinning it down if it misbehaves in play. Sometimes an older dog that will play with your aggressive pup can teach it more by a simple growl or snap. Physical punishment is not necessary to teach anyone anything, puppy or child.
Puppies need to have new experiences and see new things in order to grow into a socially acceptable dog. Do not force your dog to do or face anything it is afraid of. Use treats and praise to show the dog that thunder, yelling children or any thing else it seems fearful of is not scary.
And most of all let your puppy/dog have at least 30 minutes of free play everyday, having fun is good for us all. Be happy and enjoy your dog and you will have a friend for life.
Posted by Admin