What to Look for when choosing a Puppy

The strongest bond and the most successful basic and advanced training can be achieved if the dog comes to its new owner as a puppy.

The first 8 to 12 weeks of the puppy’s life are spent at the breeder’s. This period is of fundamental important in its life. It will affect the remainder o the god’s life as well as its participation in its human pack.

When buying a puppy, therefore, keep these things in mind:

1. Buy only from reputable breeders, never from dog dealers who have only puppies and no breeding stock.
2. Make sure that the breeder breeds no more than one or two breeds and does not offer a host of different breeds for sale.
3. It is important that you be able to see the mother dog, for yourself. Never buy a puppy if that is not possible.
4. A good breeder does not own too many dogs and raises only one or two litters at a time.
5. While still at the breeder’s, the puppies should have plenty of contact with humans; they should not vegetate somewhere off in a barn or cellar. Be suspicious if the mother dog or the puppies creep away fearfully and hide at the sight of human.
6. Healthy puppies are frisky and alert. That applies to the mother dog as well. Therefore, watch them interact with each other and with their mother.

Note: Never buy from unscrupulous dog dealers. Even buying a puppy out of pity only lends support to such people and does them no harm. Commit to buying a puppy only after your veterinarian has examined it and found it healthy and free from serious defects, including temperament problems. Then, and only then, have you found the right dog for you.

EDUCATING YOUR DOG WITH LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING, KATHARINA SCHLEGL-KOFLER