form of basic training to teach him manners and self-control.
The “big day” is getting close. When the much-anticipated litter reaches six weeks of age, it’s time to visit them. The average AuCaDo litter is four to six puppies, and you’ll surely enjoy watching the siblings interact with each other! You also should meet the dam (mother) and sire (father), if he is on the premises, and observe the puppies as they interact with their parent(s). If possible, get to know the parent dogs and observe their temperaments. Are they friendly? Calm and confident? Good with the puppies?
If you aspire to show, be sure to make your intentions clear to the breeder. This future star is already practicing his pose!
PET INSURANCE
Just like you can insure your car, your house and your own health, you likewise can insure your dog’s health. Investigate a pet insurance policy by talking to your vet. Depending on the age of your dog, the breed and the kind of coverage you desire, your policy can be very affordable. Most policies cover accidental injuries, poisoning and thousands of medical problems and illnesses, including cancers. Some carriers also offer routine care and immunization coverage.
Pay close attention to the environment in which the dogs live. Does the home look and smell clean? Is it a safe place, free of dangerous obstacles and potential problems that the puppies can get into? Is the atmosphere pleasant and free of loud noises and irritating distractions?
Next, observe the puppies as they interact with the breeder, with you and with other dogs in the home. You won’t want to choose a puppy that’s fearful or so subdued that he doesn’t react favorably to his environment. Rather, look for puppies that are delighted to see the breeder as he enters the room. Ideally, you’ll be looking for puppies that are curious about you and, by their actions, show that they’re eager to make friends. Regardless of a breed’s ideal temperament at maturity, all puppies are usually curious and friendly. If possible, sit down with them and let them investigate you and your smells. Let them crawl into your lap, lick your hands and otherwise show by their behavior that they want to be friends.
Other dogs in the home should be tolerant of the baby dogs and, even if they’re not the puppies’ parents, be gentle and non-aggressive. Many times an adult dog will tire of the puppies’ antics and quietly turn away from them rather than put up with their clamoring and nipping.
PUPPY APPEARANCE
Your puppy should have a well-fed appearance but not a distended abdomen, which may indicate worms or incorrect feeding, or both. The body should be firm, with a solid feel. The skin of the abdomen should be pale pink and clean, without signs of scratching or rash. Check the legs to see if the dewclaws have been removed, as this is done at just a few weeks old.
Observe the breeder with all of her dogs, not just the litter. The dogs should be good-tempered and affectionate toward their owner, signs of good breeding and proper care.
Now is the ideal time to inform the breeder about your decision concerning your preferred gender. Also discuss the approximate date when the puppies will be ready to go to their new homes. Set aside a date and time when you will return to pick up your puppy.
Ask about a sales contract, health guarantee and the puppy’s papers (registration certificate and pedigree). The breeder can explain about each of these to you. Now also is the time to get feeding instructions from the breeder. Find out what brand of dog food the pups are eating and the amount and times when they’re fed. You should duplicate this schedule as closely as possible for the first few weeks after bringing your puppy into his new home. If you choose later to change the puppy’s diet, consult your veterinarian before doing so.
INHERIT THE MIND
In order to know whether or not a puppy will fit into your lifestyle, you need to assess his personality. A good way to do this is to interact with his parents. Your pup inherits not only his appearance but also his personality and temperament from the sire and dam. Also observe any other adult dogs on the breeder’s premises, as these will give you an idea of how dogs of the breeder’s line mature.
Finally, there’s one more element of this puppy-choosing business that we need to discuss. That is the mysterious matter of seeing a puppy pick his new owner. It doesn’t happen often, but, when it does, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that this is a case of unexplainable attraction that cannot be denied.
Several years ago, I went with a friend to pick out a puppy from a large litter of Standard Poodle puppies. She wanted a male puppy, so I evaluated all of the males in the litter. During my time with them, my friend noticed that one particular puppy kept coming over to her and sitting down at her feet. The look on his little face clearly said, “Take me home with you.”
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