Once you have decided on getting a puppy and whether you would prefer to adopt or get it from a breeder, it's time to choose your puppy.
If you aren't sure whether adopting or getting from a breeder is right for you, check out this video
The number one thing that I think anyone getting a puppy needs to do is decide on exactly what you are looking for before you go look at the puppies. That is you won’t be tempted to waiver on your ideals when you see those puppy dog eyes.
These can be basic things like, do you have or want children in your home? Do you want to take your dog out with you when you go out? Do you have quite a quiet life?
Getting an idea of your needs will help guide you to a puppy that is better suited for you, for example, an outgoing and confident puppy or a relaxed and calm puppy.
The other thing I would advise is to not make a choice on your first visit. View the puppy a few times to see more of its personality. It may have just eaten and just wants to sleep and you think you are choosing a chilled puppy, so it's a good idea to check more than once. Even if it means getting videos from the breeder or shelter if you can’t make multiple trips.
There is a test that you can do with puppies, ideally at 7 weeks of age called the Volhard's puppy test. The entire purpose is to select the right puppy for the right home. There is no good or bad dog but it is more of a personality quiz to help find the best match.
The tests are as follows:
1. Social Attraction - degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence. 2. Following - willingness to follow a person.
3. Restraint - degree of dominant or submissive tendency, and ease of handling in difficult situations.
4. Social Dominance - degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person.
5. Elevation - degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control, such as at the veterinarian or groomer.
6. Retrieving - degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with Social Attraction and Following a key indicator for ease or difficulty in training.
7. Touch Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator to the type of training equipment required.
8. Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.
9. Sight Sensitivity - degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children or squirrels.
10. Stability - degree of startle response to a strange object.
I understand that not everyone would want to do these tests themselves but you can do your own version. Spend time with your potential puppy and maybe your top 3 choices. Get a feel for their interaction with you, are they shy and run away, are they calm or are they too confident and jump on you and nip. Make a few noises and see their response, drop something and see if they are interested or afraid. This can tell you a lot about them.
And try a good tight hug, are they fighting and growling, did they relax or did they not respond at all? This is a good indication on how they may be with any restraint in the future for example collars, picking up to get in the car, vets and groomers.
So I recently did Volhards with a few Great Danes from a litter as I was choosing one, so I thought I would share the process with you.
Going into it I had a very clear idea of what I was looking for. I was only looking at the males, I am planning on showing and as a trainer I do a lot with my dogs and we go on adventures together so I knew I needed a puppy that was sure of himself.
But as you can see we have 2 completely different puppies, even though they are from the same litter.
Because of my need for a confident boy to show and do dog training with I chose puppy 2.
That doesn’t mean puppy 1 is not a good pet, we just weren’t the right match. Another reason I didn’t choose him is that my adult dog, Samkha has a lot of anxiety and I don’t think they would help each other out in that department.
So very fortunately puppy 1 went home with a lovely guy who has an older Dane who has taken him under her wing and he’s thriving.
And we got puppy 2, now known as Bourbon.
I hope this blog gave you a good idea of the things that you should be thinking about and looking at when you choose your puppy!
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