How to pick a Breeder
TRAINING
GO POTTY
So…..you’ve decided on the type of dog for you and your family, now, how do you pick the right Breeder? A good breeder, like a good veterinary professional, is educated and cares about the health and happiness of their dogs. But with so many Breeders out there it can be difficult to know which one to chose. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when choicing a Breeder.
- A good breeder should be specialized in breeding one type of dog. By focusing on only one breed, the breeder is better able to know about any health problems and genetic concerns that are specific to that breed. And with more knowledge of the breed they are better able to pick out sires and stud dogs. The main thing you want to avoid here is a Breeder that raises dogs in a kennel enviroment. By selecting a Breeder that only specializes in one breed of dog you can be more confinent that the puppies are not housed in kennels. Breeders that have many breeds of dogs, like a pet store, can not possibly give each puppy the love and attention that it needs.
- A good breeder should be knowledgeable. They should be able to answer any questions that you have pertaining to the new puppy. They should know about the common illnesses and genetic problems within the breed. They should be able to tell you the disposition and temperment of the puppy. They should be happy and willing to answer any and all questions you have.
- Cleanliness is a big issue when it comes to finding a breeder. You should be able to see where the dogs have been raised to make sure they have been taken care of in a nice environment. Dogs that are raised in clean environments are less likely to attract diseases. If you’re buying online, ask questions about how clean the environment is where they where raised. Are they kept inside or outside? What kind of food are they being feed?
- A good breeder will be concerned that the puppy is going to a good home. They should ask questions and help you to find the puppy that would be right for your home.
- It is very important that a breeder sells you a puppy with a health guarantee. They will usually cover the puppy for the first year of life. The health guarantee should state that the puppy can be returned for a full refund or the puppy of your choice should the puppy be diagnosed with any genetic illness or disease.
- Because many people are now buying puppies from breeders online, do not hesitate to ask for pictures. You can ask for pictures of the area they where raised and pictures of their parents. You can also guarantee that you are actually getting the puppy you see online by having the breeder send you a picture with an object that you determine next to the puppy. For example, ask them to send you a picture with the puppy sitting next to a red marker. There have been scams in which individuals have sold puppies that didn't exist, simply by using a picture of a puppy that they found online. A good breeder will be more than happy to send you as many pictures as you want of the new puppy.
Getting a new puppy should be a fun experience, but you must do your homework. A new puppy is a big decision and will be a member of your family for many years to come. Chosing the right Breeder will help ensure that you are getting a puppy that has been given the right amount of care and attention. By chosing a responsible, caring Breeder you will set the stage for many years of health and happiness with your new puppy.
The 3 Most common Training Mistakes
There are countless books and techniques out there on how to train your dog. Most techniques focus on reward as a form of positive reinforcement. Regardless of your chosen book or technique there are three common mistakes which every dog owner must avoid when training their dog. Avoiding them will not only make your training more sucessful, but also a more enjoyable experience for you and your dog. The three most common mistakes are inconsistency, impatience and treating your dog like a training subject rather than a training partner.
Inconsistency
Inconsistency is probably the most important pitfall to avoid when training your dog. By nature dogs learn best when the results of their actions are predictable and reliable. Their ability to grasp cause and effect is the corner stone to any training program. You give them a treat when they sit and they learn that behavior X will result in them getting a reward. Inconsistency on the part of the trainer will make it difficult for the dog to associate his specific behavior to a specific outcome. Inconsistency will only confuse the dog making you frustrated.
Impatience
Training your dog can be a frustrating task. Often things which seem so obvious and simple may take quite a while for a dog to understand. There will be no speedy results when it comes to training your dog. Patience and consistency are key. Remember your dog wants to please you and will make every effort to understand and follow your commands. Give them time, be patience and you will be greatly rewarded in the end.
Treating Your Dog as a Subject Rather than a Training Partner
Dogs thrive on the love and attention they get from their owners. Training, done the right way, can be a bonding experience with your dog. Training can become a chore when you treat your dog like a test subject and are not paying attention to their reactions and responses. Remeber you are training your dog to follow your commands as an effort to communicate with them. Communication is a two way street. To effectively communicate you need to pay attention to your dog's reactions, be patience and consistent with your requests. Eventually your dog will figure out what you are requesting and will respond appropriately.
By avoiding these three common mistakes you and your dog will better enjoy the training process. Remember training your dog is not simply teaching them to sit and stay, but rather a bonding experience. Training done properly can enhance the communication, love and trust between you and your dog.
GO POTTY
When housebreaking your new puppy remember that it is about consistency and patience. At 8 weeks old your puppy will need to be taken outside after the eat, drink, sleep or play. Take them outside and tell them the command that you have chosen ( "Go potty" ). Say the command nicely but firmly and give the puppy some time to sniff around. When the puppy successfully goes the bathroom reward them with a treat, praise and/or affection. Do not immediately take them inside or they will get the message that all the outside fun ends when they "go potty."
Supervision and consistency are key. Your new puppy is just getting use to their new world and has no idea what you do or don't want. It is your role to guide their behavior while forming a relationship. Crate training your puppy can be helpful, it teaches them to "hold it" when you are away or unable to take them outside. It can also help them to learn that outside is correct and only place to go potty. When crate training your puppy keep in mind that the crate should not be too big for the puppy. Crate training works because dogs do not like to go to the bathroom where they sleep. If the crate is too big for the puppy then they will simply potty in one area and sleep in another. The crate should give them room to stretch out but not walk around. Also remember that small dogs have small bladders. Make sure to let your puppy out fequently. If they wake up or cry during the night make sure to wake up and let them out. Little pups may not be able to hold it the entire 8 or so hours that you are sleeping.
When my dog Cooper was a puppy, I would feed him and then take him outside. No matter how long I would wait, he would not go to the bathroom. I would finally take him inside and then he would decide to go potty on the carpet. He didn't understand why I was taking him outside. I knew I had to fix this so whenever he wouldn't go potty outside after eating, I would bring him in and put him in his crate for ten minutes. After the ten minutes were up I would take him back outside and tell him to go potty. He finally realized that we go potty outside.
Another big key to successful potty training is patience. Remember that your puppy wants to please you and they are trying to learn how. Accidents will happen as they are learning. If your puppy has an accident calmly and swiftly take them outside. When the finish going potty outside reward them. Clean up the accident with out making a scene about it. Make sure to thoroughly clean up the area so that the smell does not encourage them to go potty in the same spot again. After about 3 months of age most puppies begin get the system down. Now you need to reward them if they go to the door or let you know that they need to go outside.
Raising a new puppy takes time and patience but the efforts are more than worth the rewards. Being reliable and consistent with your puppy will teach them to count on you. From their perpective they are confussed and unsure. They are surrounded by a bunch of gaints. It is your job to guide them and to understand that there are always mistakes when learning anything new. Give them time and be patient, they will love you for it.
