Choosing A Puppy

Posted in Buying a puppy | By: Gopal Krishna | 03 Apr 2010 9:49 pm    

Here is the Test by which you could find out what is the puppy's temprament. This test can be applied to any puppy. Happy choosing your new companion as per your requirement. Remember no Dogs are dumb or agressive, Its we who are responsible for their behaviour. Use positive tranning and feed healthy food. You will never regret your decision and will have a companion of Life.

First of all evaluate to whole litter don’t necessarily let the pup choose you unless you are ok with having a difficult dog to raise. Watch the litter play with one another to see who is who in their pack; you can learn a lot about them by watching them play. Also ask the breeder who is who no one knows more about these puppies than their breeder. Pushy puppies are the alpha of their litter and will require a dominate, firm, consistent, and loving owner an owner who knows how to handle a pup who will most likely test your authority.
Take a look at the litter together if you are seeing 3 or 4 of the puppies running away from you, staying just out of reach or barking distrustfully at you Move On! Do not get any puppies from this litter even if there seems to be one or two who are ok you will probably have trouble with this puppy in the future (You will have bigger problems when it gets older You will have a very large aggressive dog who isn’t safe around anyone or anything probably including you!). Do not let the breeder laugh it off saying that oh they just haven’t seen many people or haven’t been handled much. Lack of socialization of the puppies means an ignorant breeder. You don’t want a puppy from an ignorant breeder this is the breeder who is contributing to the number of bad Rottweiler in the world by their carelessness of just putting a male Rottweiler with a female Rottweiler with no consideration of temperament for money. These people do not belong in the breeding business.
The shy puppy just like an overly aggressive puppy is not a good choice either. They will take a lot of work A Lot of work and even then it will probably still grow to be a shy adult dog who snaps at anything that scares them. Shy dogs are just as likely to be biters as aggressive dogs. They want to kill you before you kill them and that is all they see.
Good signs to look for are, the puppies are walking around you, a little tugging at your pants and shoes, nibble your fingers a little climb in your lap some may nap after meeting you if you just came when they were having nap time or start wrestling with each other. These pups are curious, sociable, and trusting. You can tell a lot about the puppies by the way they play with each other; you can tell who is who in their pack.
The strong, bossy one is going to require a firm, dominate, yet loving owner who is willing to do a lot of training.
The quiet gentle submissive one will require an owner who is patient and loving who will be gentle and understanding with them. These guys are usually the sensitive ones who get their feelings hurt if you are too harsh with them.
Most people can handle a puppy who is in the middle of the totem pole. This is neither the boss nor the lowest in the hierarchy. For most people you don’t want one who growls, grabs or bites.
It is important to see the puppies individually ask the breeder to put the other pups away so that you can see one pup at a time. First of all look at it’s reaction to being by itself. Is the puppy afraid of everything now that his littermates are not there to back him up anymore? Is the pup calm and self-assured? Does the pup look comfortable and happy? Make a noise or talk to him does he look at you and pay attention to you ; one who pays attention will be easily trained because you won’t have to work as hard to get them to listen to you.
 
 
Here are some tests you can do to evaluate temperaments.
1st Test:
Kneel down a few feet away from the pup and start coaxing the pup to you by gently clapping your hands.
Did the pup:
A.    Come gladly, tail up, jump up, or bit at your hands 
B.    Come gladly, tail up, pawed at you or licked your hands
C.    Come gladly, tail up
D.    Come gladly, tail down
E.    Come hesitantly with the tail down
F.    The pup didn’t come at all



2nd Test:
Stand up and walk away from the puppy in a normal way make sure that the puppy sees you though.
Did the pup:
A.    Follow gladly, tail up, got under and bite at your feet a little.
B.    Followed gladly, tail up, got under your feet.
C.    Followed gladly, tail up.
D.    Followed gladly, tail down.
E.    Followed cautiously, tail down.
F.    Didn’t follow or went away.


 
3rd Test:
Crouch down and gently roll the pup on its back and hold it there with one hand on its chest and throat or you can cradle the puppy like a baby for 30 seconds.
Does the pup:
A.    Struggle fiercely to right itself, thrashes, bite at your hands and growled.
B.    Struggle fiercely.
C.    Settled, struggled and settled with some eye contact.
D.    Struggled then settled.
E.    No struggling and stiff, eyes are wide and filled with fear, tries to avoid eye contact.
F.    Wiggles to right itself when released it goes off to do something else.



4th Test:
Let the pup stand up. Gently pet him from head to back while crouching beside the pup. Continue petting until you see a behaviour.
Does the pup:
A.    Jumps, is sensitive about all parts, bites, or growled.
B.    Jumped and pawed at you.
C.    Loves up to you and licks your face.
D.    Wiggles and licks your hands.
E.    Roll over and lick your hands or is sensitive about a particular part.
F.    Went and stayed away and is completely uninterested.

5th Test:
You will be lifting up the pup just off the ground letting its legs dangle. Bend over and cradle the pup under its belly, fingers interlaced, palms up and elevate it just off the ground. Hold it there for 30 seconds.
Does the pup:
A.    Struggle fiercely, flailed, bit at your hands and growled.
B.    Struggle fiercely.
C.    No struggling, the pup is relaxed.
D.    Struggle, settled down, and licks your hands.
E.    No struggling and licked your hands.
F.    No struggling but froze scared.

6th Test:
Put the puppy in the middle of the room. Stand a few feet away from the pup and make a sharp noise. Banging two pieces of metal together works like a metal pan or bowl.
Does the pup:
A.    Listen, looks toward the sound and walks to the sound barking.
B.    Listen, look toward the sound and bark.
C.    Listen, looks toward the sound and curiously walks to the sound.
D.    Listen, and looks toward the sound.
E.    Cower backs off and hides.
F.    Ignores the sound without a care in the world.

7th Test:
Put the pup in the middle of the room. Use a soft toy with a string attached to it a towel works best. Jerk it across the floor a few feet away from the puppy.
Does the pup:
A.    Look, attack and bite.
B.    Look, and barks with the tail up.
C.    Look, curiously investigates it.
D.    Looks, basrks with the tail tucked.
E.    Runs and hides.

8th Test:
Put a collar and leash on the puppy watch him then move a few steps.
Does the pup:
A.    Bite and growl at the leash and tug on it.
B.    Bite the leash.
C.    Is curious.
D.    Is curious and will walk.
E.    Freeze and won’t move.
F.    Ignores you and the fact you want him to walk with you.

 
9th Test:
Give the puppy food in a bowl fill it with canned food before the pup finishes take the food away.
Does the pup:
A.    Bite your hands, growl, bark, and jump on you to get the food back.
B.    Growl and jump on you to get the food back.
C.    Look eagerly at you.
D.    Wag its tail and look eagerly at you.
E.    Act too scared to eat.
F.    Act uninterested.

Putting the A, B, and Cs together.
Mostly As: These puppies are very dominate. These puppies require very experienced owners. These dogs are usually only suited for working as a guard dog or a police/military dog. These are not usually your family dogs.
Mostly Bs: These are dominant puppies. This is a dog for a natural leader not someone who is timid. These would probably do best with an all adult family.
Mostly Cs: This is a dog that is outgoing and flexible. But still needs a firm fair owner. This is a family dog that will probably be suited for adventerous owners.
Mostly Ds: This is a dog that is a gentle, affectionate, easily controlled and adaptable. They are dependent upon you. An all around family dog some of these might be suited for therapy work.
Mostly Es: This is a very submissive dog who needs a gentle loving owner who is patient and not too demanding. Would do best with an adult family or older children.
Mostly Fs: This is mister or misses independence. These guys are not very affectionate and don’t require much human companionship. An uninterested puppy can also mean a sick puppy. Look for physical signs of illness. Like messy eyes and nose, underweight, lame, or poor

comments

Comprehensive and self explanatory article...really good one. will definitely help.
Cheers!

By: Neil | 05 Apr 2010

Thanks Neil!!!! hope this will be helpful and new buyer please do your homework before owning one... most of the owner thinks his/her dog is dumb or aggressive but the real fact is... it all depends on us how we raise our puppy... good luck all

By: Gopal Krishna | 05 Apr 2010

Hi, Nice article.. Should definetely help first time buyers... But Iam not o sure how many of these points Breederswould allow thepuppy owner to try it out (Like banging of metal plates e.t.c)..Any thoughts on this?

By: karthik | 05 Apr 2010

if they dont allow it means either they are new breeder or just a puppy mill setup... a good breeder always will help you to find a pup which one is right for your personality... every litter has a Alpha pup, and other level pup... after buying a pup now and regret it later is not the way... the breeder and owner together has to find a right puppy else its dog life which will be hell... just imaging you got an Alpha dog and you dono how to handle it... this will result ending in a leash or chain and lots of complain that my dog does not like stranger, he bites bla bla bla... and for me its not right...

By: Gopal Krishna | 05 Apr 2010

Its really helpful

By: soumyakanjilal | 05 Apr 2010

Thanks Soumya!!! :)

By: Gopal Krishna | 05 Apr 2010

I agree...It was an excellent article... I have saved a copy in my laptop..will take a print out and carry it with me when I go and check out the puppies..(Iam planning to buy a Golden retriever puppy from Springfiled kennel chennai :) )

By: karthik | 05 Apr 2010

Good to hear that karthik. if you are the first time owner then try not to get an alpha male... also not a shy puppy try to find a average balance puppy... and Golden Retriever are very high energy dog so double check your routine they need some extra time to run else they will be obese also biting and nipping is very common problem in them if not handled properly... I wish you a very good luck...

By: Gopal Krishna | 05 Apr 2010

hello mr.krishna... i hv a 6.5 month old male lab named oscar...
he is a little aggressive... i mean he bites alot n d strange thing is dat he neva bites a stranger but only family members... is it bcoz he is teethin or is he really aggressive??
i hv hired a trainer for him bt d bitin problm is still der otherwice he is a gud dog?
m jus worried abt his bitin habit... by wad age do dogs stop teethin n bitin?? plz help..
thanks

By: shreyank | 06 Apr 2010

Hi Shreyank,
First Few question:
1. does oscar growl at people or family member when you try to take his toy or try to remove food from him???
2. Is he demanding and forcing you to do things like playing with him or he pull very hard on leash???
3. Is he like to sit on sofa or chair where you usually sit.

If this is the case then oscar is surely have an Alpha dominant position in his mind. you said he only bites family member. It means he trying to achieve the pack order. You will usually see when two dogs fight or when a dog does mistake in front alpha dog; the alpha dog tries to pin down the other dog on the ground and bites on his neck. the bite is not fatal but its a correction... your oscar is doing the same thing i think... its not a wonder Lab and Golden are top in the list of biting...

First you have to try to get your pack order and make him feel that you are the one who is alpha. take your dog to walk every day... use training collars like pinch collar these are really nice tool it stimulates a dog bite on the neck of dog more he will pull more stronger bite he will get... please don't take this as a cruelty it really doesn't hurt your dog... you will see the instant change in your dog's behavior. teach him down command " that is the submissive position in dog and wolf world" if you are successful with this your 80% work is over.

never allow teething or nipping you can try different technique...
1. your dog never bite you too hard if he bite you too hard that means he don't know your threshold. once he bite make a sharp painful sound and the moment he leaves you, you turn your back on him and ignore him... look away from him.
2. Strike sharply but not very hard on his nose like you strike in the carom game or blow air very from you mouth on his face. followed by command no... make your voice sharp enough and in commanding tone


Labs are very intelligent dogs once you start doing all these he will get in within a min. and remember as soon he stop pulling on leash stop using the collar...
for more information try google or ping me.

hope u get a good result...
Thanks
Gopal

By: Gopal Krishna | 06 Apr 2010

thanks mr.gopal.. ans to ur questions:
1.no
2.no
3.only at night he cums n sleeps on my bed...

By: shreyank | 06 Apr 2010

That means he is very much affectionate toward family he is just trying to maintain the pack order. I strongly suggest you not to let him sleep on your bed... give him his personal space a bed in corner or any where. giving him same space which you use is submission and nurturing the Alpha behavior. Try what i told you in the last post. Never use treat for training if you can then watch "Dog Whisperer" It is a very Informative TV series. and always pet him when he listen to you :) labs are very intelligent dog. If possible read articles on dog behavior. I had two labs before when I was and they were gr8. teach your lab Fetch game that is the best way to burn their energy. when they have plenty of energy they will always find a way to burn it. in case you still have doubt on anything i am here to help you can call me anytime but lemme know before coz i dont usually pick calls from unknown numbers :)
Have a Happy time with Oscar
Gopal

PS: Post oscar's pic all members of dogspot will be glad to see him :)

By: Gopal Krishna | 06 Apr 2010

The pic is Old i think he must be grown by now :)

By: Gopal Krishna | 06 Apr 2010

oscar has his own bed but at night around 2 or 3 he cums on my bed n sleeps near my leg..... n i play fetch n search wid him n he enjoys it very much!! its just his biting prblm dat bothers me, otherwise hes a rilly nice fellow....

By: shreyank | 07 Apr 2010

i hv uploaded recent pics of oscar... visit my profile..

By: shreyank | 07 Apr 2010

hello this article really helped.. thanks

By: frankie dcosta | 11 Apr 2010

Good informative article Gopal. Would try to use as many as possible while selecting a pup.

By: Shailinder | 16 Apr 2010

A very informative article. We hope to derive much from it viz background when we look for a one-to- two-year adult Spitz or Pom that we plan to adopt or acquire to replace our beloved Jerry, a male Spitz, that left us last Feb at the age of 13. It was very friendly and trainable during most part of its life but started to become aggressive as it grew old which we now believe was the cause of unnecessary routine annual vaccinations of 7-in-one and rabies right into old age that seemed to boomerang by causing various maladies that the vaccines were supposed to protect against like difficulty passing of stool, anal sac, frequent smelly urination, off and on coughing & retching, bluishness of the eyes, weakening of the hind legs, etc. though blood test and ultrasound showed normal liver & kidney functions, normal lipids and thyroid, normal albumin and hemoglobin count and no arthritis whatsoever other than slight enlargement of the prostate and a small calculi in the gallbladder. We had selected it from a litter after inspecting their parents with a loving family in NOIDA.

By: gspal | 20 Apr 2010

wonderful article

By: Naveen Reddy | 19 Oct 2010

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