Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Ask these questions BEFORE you go see the puppies. Once you are looking at the little darlings, it is very hard to walk away. Know how your puppy has been raised and be certain they have been socialized to people and are living indoors. When you do get you puppy, be sure to take it to your veterinarian right away. You want to make certain your puppy is as healthy as possible. The more you know about you puppy, the better off you will be. Remember, knowledge is power.

ASK THE BREEDER

How many years have you been breeding dogs?
How many years breeding this breed of dogs?
Is this the only breed of dog you have available?
How many litters have you bred?
Can you supply a customer or reference list?
If the breeder answers truthfully, you should have an idea if these breeders are legitimate or a professional breeder. Pet stores probably won't know these answers because their puppies generally come from a supplier.
Do you show your dogs in AKC, UKC, IABCA? Ideally your breeder is showing their dogs for an objective outside opinion.
Which dog clubs do you belong to?
How many dogs have you bred or owned and what titles have they achieved? (For more information on titles go to UKC or AKC .)
Some examples of titles include:
CH (Champion in conformation)
CD (Obedience title)
CDX (Obedience)
UD (Obedience)
UDX (Obedience)
OTCH (Obedience)
TD (Tracking)
TDX (Tracking)
FH (Tracking)
JH (Hunting)
SH (Hunting)
MH( Hunting)
FC (Hunting)
ScH I; ScH II, ScH III (Schutzhund)

Good breeders are usually actively competing or participating with their dogs. Pet store puppies usually do not come from breeders that are working and competing with their dogs.

ASK ABOUT THE PARENTS
What are the AKC or UKC registered names of the Sire (father) and the Dam (mother)? Both parents should have registration papers. When in doubt, check the details with the registering club.
Why did you chose to breed these two particular dogs to each other?
Are there some particular physical characteristics and personality traits that you are attempting to improve in your breeding line?

Were these dogs bred because they are excellent examples of the breed with excellent temperaments or because the breeder was looking to make some quick money?

ASK ABOUT HEALTH
Which of the following genetic tests/clearances/certifications did you obtain on the parents?
OFA (Checks for hip and elbow dysplasia) If their information was sent in, you can check this on the Internet.
CERF (Checks on eyes)
Temperament
ASK ABOUT THE LITTER

What is the name and phone number of the veterinarian that has seen and cared for the puppies?
At what age will your puppies be ready to go to their new home? (Pups should stay with their mothers for a minimum of 7 weeks, this helps their social development with dog interactions.)
What is the price based on? You may hear any of the following responses: Pet Quality, Show Quality, Breeding Quality. If you are told they are show or breeding quality, ask how the breeder has determined this. What is their experience showing dogs? Are there lots of dogs with titles and clean health checks?

ASK ABOUT THE CONTRACT, GUARANTEE and REGISTRATION PAPERS

Does the breeder require that puppies not intended for breeding be spayed or neutered?
Do you have your transfer copy of the registration papers? (AKC puppy papers are blue.)
Do not pay extra for registration papers, this is a violation of kennel club rules. Notify the registering kennel club if this happens.
Is there a money back or replacement puppy guarantee?
Do you unconditionally take back any puppy/dog of your breeding? Anytime?
Ask specifically what the breeder will do if your puppy is very sick. Will they treat it or euthanize?
What conditions must the buyer satisfy?

This should get you started on the right path to puppy ownership. As with any companion animal, be certain you are ready, willing and able to commit to a lifetime of care. Dogs should not be disposable.

5 Steps to Raising A Puppy

1. NEVER LEAVE YOUR PUPPY UNSUPERVISED. If you can't keep your eyes on pup, or if you are leaving home put your pup in a crate or confined area where he cannot hurt himself. This will also prevent bad habits from developing.

2. UTILIZE CRITICAL STAGES. Week six to week eight of your dog's life is a time when a small amount of exposure to other dogs will have a lasting effect on how he relates to other canines throughout his life. Pup should remain with mom and litter mates during this critical developmental stage. Week eight to week ten is the critical stage for socialization to humans. Get your pup out and socialized with positive encounters with people.

3. ESTABLISH YOURSELF AS PACK LEADER. Your pup is a social pack animal. By establishing yourself as the "alpha-dog," or leader of the pack, your pup will grow up to respect you, respond to you, bond to you and want to please you. He will also become a much happier and confident dog.

4. MIX FOOD WITH WATER BEFORE SERVING. Mix your pup's dry kibble with a little water so that it looks like stew. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes before feeding. Kibble can expand up to thirty percent, so let it expand in the bowl rather than in your pup's stomach, thus avoiding indigestion and possible behavior problems. Feeding a super premium food will help pup get the most out the diet.

5. TOUCH CONDITIONING. Touch all areas of your puppy's body so he will become conditioned to your touch and feel comfortable with your feel. This will help pup understand that touch is not a bad thing. Along with touch conditioning, be sure to spend some time surprising pup while he is sleeping. The instant pup wakes up, have a treat ready to pop into pup's mouth. This will teach pup to expect food anytime something surprises him and can save you or someone you know from a dog bite later on.

Selecting Your New Dog or Puppy

Things That Are Good to Know

AKC REGISTERED and/or AKC PAPERS
The AKC (American Kennel Club) is a registry service, not a guarantee of quality. What registration papers tell you (in theory) is your new puppy or dog is the breed you are buying. That is all the papers mean. Registration papers are not a guarantee of quality or anything else. If the people you are buying your puppy from try and charge you extra for papers, RUN away from this deal. Charging extra for registration papers is against AKC rules. Report anyone trying this to the AKC. There are even some people that sell papers on a black market basis. You can contact AKC to check your papers.

How papers relate to the "real world." Papers are like the title to your vehicle. The title will tell you what type of vehicle you have, Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet. The title does not tell you it is a good special vehicle or that is worth more than any other vehicle. The title just tells you the vehicle you have is most likely the type that it says it is. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

COLOR
Color is simply a genetic code. Is some breeds, diluted coat color can relate to other health issues like allergies and/or skin and coat problems. There are also breeds where color relates to more serious health problems. Study up on the breed you are interested in and know what issues can arise. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

SPECIAL ANCESTORS
Do a little research into your breed. In any breed, many dogs can and do trace back to a common ancestor. Is the dog being touted a dog from recent breed history or are you looking at a name from 50+ years ago. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

PRICE
If you look in the paper, you will see many dogs listed in the $100 dollar range. Remember the old saying, "You get what you pay for." These dogs are rarely a great deal.

DOGS AS GIFTS
Do not give a pet as a gift!

CHAMPIONSHIP LINES
There should be at least 4 dogs with titles in the first three generations. People that breed and show dogs will be proud to show you the photos, ribbons and trophies. A good breeder is breeding to improve the breed . Remember, just because the parents were "special" dogs doesn't mean all the pups will be special. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

SHOW QUALITY
If you are searching for a puppy in the newspaper, you are most likely not purchasing a show quality pup. To a classified advertiser, the term show quality most likely means you are paying more money. For a puppy with the potential to be show quality, go to a breeder that is showing and breeding to help improve the breed. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

HEALTH GUARANTEE
As a general rule, this means the breeder will take back the unhealthy puppy and give you a replacement. Will the replacement be from the same litter? A repeat breeding? Will the replacement puppy have the same health problems? Now that you have had your puppy for a period of time and bonded with him, do you really want to know what will happen once you return him to the breeder? Good breeders have good guarantees. Know what questions to ask your breeder about health and temperament.

EDUCATE YOURSELF
Learn as much as you can about the breed you are interested in. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog. If you have found this page while considering a Chinook, you may want to know if a Chinook is right for you.

FINDING THE RIGHT DOG OR PUPPY
Find a reputable breeder. They won't be as "cheap" as a classified advertised puppy, but you will get more value for your money. Consider working with a breed rescue club and adopting an older dog.

Remember if you buy from a backyard breeder (someone who breeds without thinking or knowing why and/or how to improve the breed) or from a puppy mill (commercial breeding for the express purpose of making money) all you have done is padded someone's pocket and encouraged them to do it again.

If you are now asking yourself, "Where do I get a good puppy?" Start with the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club to learn more about breeds. You can also contact the national breed club to get more information and to locate a reputable breeder.

United Kennel Club (UKC)
American Kennel Club (AKC)

Welcome Home Puppy!

As with many things in life, the more prepared you are for pup to arrive at your house, the better the transition will be.

Depending where your dog is coming from, you may be picking it up in your car or you may be picking it up at the airport. Either way, you'll want to have a crate to transport pup safely to your house. I usually ask the breeder for a soft towel or toy that smells like home so pup will be comfortable while you are heading home.

Your breeder should have given your pup vaccinations all ready to protect him from dangerous diseases. You will still want to take pup to the veterinarian to get a clean bill of health so pup is ready to move into your household.

In addition to your crate -- you can buy one to fit the full sized dog and create a panel to fit him now -- you'll also want to have food and water dishes, a puppy collar, leash, brushes, toys, puppy food and newspaper if you are paper training.


New Dog or Puppy Shopping List

CRATE (kennel or cage): Buy the size that will fit your dog when full grown. There are collapsible wire types or the enclosed molded plastic. Both types will work. Your puppy needs enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down. If you have a large breed puppy, block off the extra space so your house training goes more quickly.

PUPPY GATE: Very useful for confining a not yet house trained puppy to one room. These are the same as baby gates for human children.

COLLAR: Nylon or leather buckle collar. There are adjustable ones that grow with your puppy and will last longer. Expect to buy more than one during your dogs growth stage. Puppies do not need any type of training collar (choke chain) or pinch collar. Head collars like the Gentle Leader also work well, you will probably need to buy more than one just like the regular collars. Head collars when used correctly give you humane and effective control over your dog.

LEASH: Six foot leather, they last several lifetimes. (Keep this away from pup's teeth since it will seem like a great chew toy.) Chain is not recommended. A 10 foot training line is also recommend for in and out of the house. If your puppy wants to chew leashes and collars, spray them with something like Bitter Apple.

FOOD/WATER DISHES: Buy one for water and one for food. Stainless steel is the best and lasts the longest. There is less likelihood of your pet having any reactions to these bowls and they are really easy to keep clean. Plastic dishes can give your puppy "pimples" on their chin. This is a reaction to the plastic and if your dog is "breaking out" be sure to change to stainless or crock bowls.

FOOD: Obtain a small amount from your breeder to start. If you are changing brands, you will have some to mix in with your new formula and this should help you avoid an upset puppy stomach. You will want to feed a premium or super premium food. More on Nutrition.

FOOD TREATS: Avoid all highly colored treats. The dyes can cause hyperactivity and skin problems in susceptible dogs. There are many natural treats available on the market. Remember to read the labels to be certain you are feeding a high quality treat.

TOYS: You want to get chew toys you can stuff with goodies; kibble, treats. The best on the market are the KONG toys they come in many shapes and different sizes. Red colored are for normal chewers and Black are for dogs who are extra hard chewers. Nylabones are great for chewing. Some dogs do well with the sterilized bones available at your local pet supply retailer. These are all safe toys. Rawhide bones are good but owners should make sure there are no knots for dog to chew off and swallow. If you really want to use rawhide, avoid bleached bones and select the pressed rawhide style to reduce the risk of choking. Always supervise when chewing rawhides.

BRUSH/COMB: Suitable for your dog's coat. Ask your breeder or a dog groomer about the correct type. Also select a toenail clipper to keep pup's nails nice and manicured.

TRAINING: Check into types of training classes available and when they start.

BOOKS: There are many excellent dog training books available. Your local library is another excellent source for reading materials.

TIME: Time and patience are important when you are welcoming a puppy into your home. Remember, pup doesn't know what you expect from him in the beginning, and he is learning a new language.

Picking a Puppy

Image: http://northstarhavaneseclub.com/images/should_i_breed_flow_chart%5B1%5D.jpg

The time has come to select your new puppy. One of the biggest things to consider is what breed is right for your household. No matter how cute a puppy is or what breed you like the look of, please take into consideration the breed or breeds involved and what they are like as adults. Also, do you research on any genetic health related concerns so you know what might be in your future. This is also the time to decide if you want a male or female pup. Having these pieces of information all ready in place will help you select the right companion for your family.

Purebred dogs make it easier for you to determine what your adult dog will look like since you have a good idea of what the breed looks like. Remember to ask your breeder for all health information on the parents and do you research to see what health concerns you should be aware of in your breed of choice.

Mixed breed dogs have parents of different breeds. Mixed breeds include the new "designer" breeds that you see for sale too. It can be more difficult to determine the adult size of these dogs and sometimes their temperaments are hard to predict too. 

When selecting your pup, know what puppy behavior translates to as adult dog behaviors. If you aren't sure what the best pup is right for your family, contact me or someone with similar training and skill to help you pick your puppy. A responsible breeder will help you select a dog that is the right fit for your family. Ask your breeder to share what they know about the pups and their parents and what to anticipate as the  pups grow up.

Are there differences between males (dogs) and females (bitches)? Absolutely. Unaltered males are usually more highly sexed -- looking for breeding opportunities -- and are often dominant and more aggressive. Intact females may be more gentle and easier to train, but can be challenging for the average dog owner when they are in heat. Having your dog spayed or neutered is a good plan if you don't have a companion that will improve the breeding pool.

Rescue Dog

Instead of a puppy, you may opt for adopting an adult dog. The upside of adults is you know what you are getting for size, temperament and many are house trained. Be aware that rescue dogs may have an issue that caused them to be needing a new home. As with a young dog, make sure your adoptee gets the time and training needed to make a successful transition to your home.

If you can find out why the dog is being rehomed, you will have a leg up on what needs to be addressed when your new dog comes to your home. The rescue will likely have questions for you, and you should have questions for them too so everyone is sure the dog is getting an appropriate match.

Rescue dogs should be in good overall health and most will be spayed or neutered -- or at least have a discount voucher for getting the taken care of.

Be aware that children under five and rescue dogs may not be the best mix. Both will take a great deal of time commitment and your dog my not get the attention he deserves if you are busy running around after a child.

Puppy

Congratulations on your new puppy! You can look forward to hard work, time investments and rewarding, fun times. To have the best success with your new pup you will want to commit yourself to training and housebreaking your new companion. This is the ideal time for training your youngster so you have an adult dog that you can live with.

Buying a puppy
When buying your puppy, you should ask to see the parents -- or at the very least, the mother. This will give you an idea of the temperament and size of your new housemate. This is probably more important if your dog is a mixed breed so you can have a shot at predicting what you are getting. Your puppy should not be taken away from its mother and littermates before it is at least seven weeks and preferably eight weeks old.

House Training
Your new puppy will need to go outside frequently until he is house trained. You will have accidents until pup is trained so be sure to keep him in a place where this won't matter.

Puppy Proof
Pups love to chew on things -- some appropriate and many inappropriate. Be sure to pick up suitable puppy chew toys and put any items you find valuable out of pup's path.

Routine is Good
Having a routine in place for your pup will help him feel more confident and secure. Try to feed, play, exercise and train at similar times every day. Make sure to work on crate training now too so pup will acclimate to being alone too.

Brach's Candy, Pretty Horses, French Bulldogs, Westminster Dog Show

Image: http://www.adclassix.com/images/61brachs.jpg

Marion Hulick, 75, watched her dog, Ch. Robobull Fabelhaft Im On Fire, make history as the first French Bulldog to win the Non-Sporting Group at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. His owner, Hulick, is former horse trainer known for her heinous role in slaying show horses for insurance money.

Hulick helped her boss, cell phone heir, George Lindemann, Jr., by finding and assisting sleazebag animal hit man, Tommy Burns, kill her equine charge, Charisma, on 15 December 1990 in Brewster, Putnam County, New York where she led Burns to the horse's stall. Hulick offered Burns $35,000 of the $250,000 in insurance money to kill the show horse. Burns then attached a metal clip to the horse's ear and another to his rectum and plugged a wire from them to an outlet, electrocuting him. Marion Hulick received a 21-month sentence for her role in the insurance fraud and served six-months in federal prison. Burns and Lindemann also were convicted and served time.

Marion Hulick wanted to let people know that her behavior was "a mistake of a young person I was working for." It doesn't have anything to do with how I conduct my life. I love my dogs," said Hulick. At least we know what to call that behavior now! Hulick currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband, about a dozen French bulldogs and about a dozen retired show horses. One wonders how well-insured and how nervous that group may be.


Brach's Candy
Wonder how to make the leap of faith between Marion Hulick and Tommy Burns (aka Tim Ray) and Helen Brach? Well, look no further! Brach was listed on the following horses killed for insurance: Rub the Lamp, Belgian Waffle, Rainman, Roseau Platiere and Empire. Helen Brach was declared dead in 1984. The theory still plays that Brach was killed by a horse trader, Richard Bailey, that romanced her and then defrauded her of hundreds of thousands of dollars and ultimately had her killed when she threatened to expose him. Bailey hired Tommy Burns to kill horses so Bailey could collect insurance money.

More on this and how it ties into Rielle Hunter coming too.

Treats!

If your house is like mine, you show your animals a little extra love with treats. Our dogs are pretty easy to please, and they will eat almost anything that seems like something special -- even if it is dog food packaged correctly. Some of the favorites here are mini-marshmallows and anything based on peanut butter like Sportmix peanut butter biscuits. You can get much fancier though with a trip to visit pet bakeries, purchasing frozen dog desserts at the grocery, or creating homemade treats from a pet treat cookbook. All of these choices can make it challenging to know what is best for your dog.


Positives of Treats
You can feel good about giving your dog treats, and you probably all ready know that tasty treats are great training motivators, are excellent for positive reinforcement and can reinforce the bond between you and your companion. Chosen wisely, some treats can even help your pet stay healthy. some treats can even help your pet stay healthy. Best of all, it can be a lot of fun watching your pet savor a treat she really loves. See the video on top of this post for dogs having fun.

Treat Challenges
Count those calories! Just like people, dogs can -- and do -- overindulge which can cause obesity. Obesity is a growing problem, and almost half of the pets in the United States are overweight. Obesity can contribute to a wide range of health problems, from arthritis to diabetes and heart disease.

Treats can be a weight gain trigger because you may not realize how many your pet is getting through the day, and this is more critical if there is more than one person handing out the goodies. Some treats are higher in fat and sugars which also makes them high calorie. Large biscuits can contain well over 100 calories each, and that can add up quickly.

Choose the right treat your pet

• Buy treats made specifically for your type of pet. By doing this, you'll be less likely to have a pet with an upset stomach.
• If you feed at specific times, don't give too many treats before meals. Pets are like children and will fill up on the goodies and not have room for the meals.
• Use healthy treats that help your pet maintain god health. There are dental treats that help clean teeth, cat treats that help prevent hairballs, treats geared to senior citizens and many, many more.
• If you can't resist giving your pet people food as treats, give them healthier treats like carrots, broccoli or green beans. These are low calorie and great sources of vitamins and fiber. Make sure to check with your veterinarian about food safety. Avoid onions, grapes and raisins as these can be dangerous for your dog.
• Remember to compensate for treats by reducing regular feeding amounts. That simple step will help keep extra pounds off. Our veterinarian suggests that treats shouldn't be more than ten-percent of the daily intake.

As always, if you have questions about how many and what kinds of treats are right for your pet, talk with your veterinarian.