Hey everyone, this post isn't about my puppies, or anyone's really. It's about all future puppies and a basic standard of care.
Right now the City of Calgary is considering a ban on retail pet sales - yay! For more info on this check out ASLC (Actions Speak Louder.) I'm not going to cover this issue, they do an outstanding job of it.
What I really want to talk about is responsible breeding. Many people have a blanket issue with breeding. I think this is unfortunate. I don't. I've considered breeding - if it were serving a purpose (SAR, service dogs, healthy non-shedding family pets, the list goes on). Not all breeders breed for the same reason I would ever consider it right for me, but there are still many that I think fall under the umbrella and would like to outline what I think a responsible breeder is.
I will probably try and create a permanent page with this info.
Why do you want a pure bred dog? Is it a certain temperament/behavior pattern? Is it a certain look? Is it for allergy reasons (I <3 bouviers)?
Find a dog/dogs that match this. Make sure you learn about the breed's tendencies, life span (yes, I have a 14.5 year old bouvier, there are exceptions), and typical health problems. With Dachshunds, you WILL have to deal with teeth and back problems. Would I tell you to not get one? Probably, because I don't like small dogs, but if you know what you're getting into, then why not?
Step 2, finding a breeder. This is where it all goes to pieces.
1. A GOOD breeder will ALWAYS take the dog back so it is never a burden on the system. This is item number 1. This is a non-negotiable item. The rest of the things I'm going to list aren't really in any order but this is key key key.
A good breeder will have done breed appropriate testing. For labs, the list includes hips, elbows, eyes, prcd PRA, EIC, CNM, and more. This is where your research is important.
How are the puppies raised? In home? Lots of exposure to all the crazy things they will see in life? Does the breeder know what ENS (early neurological stimulation) is and use it? Can you meet the parents?
Are dew claws removed? Do you care? Do tails and ears get docked? Do you care? This isn't about what's right and wrong, it's about making up your own mind about what matters.
Do they ask you questions about your home and lifestyle to make sure the puppy is a good fit for your life?
Does the puppy come on a non-breeding contract. This is sooo sooo sooo sooo sooo important. My two "favorite" breeders have "non-breeding contracts" that are reversible if you meet all their standards for health testing, etc.
Will they answer all your questions openly?
Do they strive to better the breed? How are they involved in the dog world? Personal opinion, show titles mean jack. Obedience and field trials/sport trials show what the dogs are truly made of. Make up your own mind about what you value, but I'd rather see a line of hunting/agility titles in labs than anything else.
Will they take the dog back, under any circumstances?
If they don't meet these standards, then don't get a dog from that breeder. There are plenty of others. Also think about why you want a purebred dog. There are many fantastic pups and dogs at rescues through no fault of their own. I have two such fantastic fosters right now, and have had many others.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
June 5th: Super happy walking time.
I’m going to throw this out there, nobody hate on me: I HATE walking dogs. (Sidenote: this is why I’m so good at training a recall.)
I bought a JacTrac last summer. It fixed problem 1 – walking dogs. Now with 3 fosters, it no longer fixes problem 1 or problem 2. I only have 2 extensions/leashes for the JacTrac so I have to walk at least 1 dog. Problem 2 – they pull. The little ones aren’t bad but Deja is a BEAST (70lb husky? Yes.) so it’s a challenge. Trying to train 3 dogs individually to each walk nicely on leash and still exercise them and feed myself (and work and sleep)? I don’t have that kind of time, who are we kidding.
Luckily the lovely lady at the dog park that I was chatting with had some suggestions. I got a leash splitter. Stardust and Nova can now walk on the same leash and will teach each other not to pull, yay! Problem 1 solved. Problem 2: I got 2 more front pull harnesses.
Walking was a dream. I had 3 dogs, hands free, with limited pulling. Deja will still needs correction, but as we walk she progresses quickly. We will see how this goes over the next week and switch back to her martingale eventually.
I bought a JacTrac last summer. It fixed problem 1 – walking dogs. Now with 3 fosters, it no longer fixes problem 1 or problem 2. I only have 2 extensions/leashes for the JacTrac so I have to walk at least 1 dog. Problem 2 – they pull. The little ones aren’t bad but Deja is a BEAST (70lb husky? Yes.) so it’s a challenge. Trying to train 3 dogs individually to each walk nicely on leash and still exercise them and feed myself (and work and sleep)? I don’t have that kind of time, who are we kidding.
Luckily the lovely lady at the dog park that I was chatting with had some suggestions. I got a leash splitter. Stardust and Nova can now walk on the same leash and will teach each other not to pull, yay! Problem 1 solved. Problem 2: I got 2 more front pull harnesses.
Walking was a dream. I had 3 dogs, hands free, with limited pulling. Deja will still needs correction, but as we walk she progresses quickly. We will see how this goes over the next week and switch back to her martingale eventually.
Monday May 28: Kicking Around
So many things to post about, but I'll start with Monday night Soccer. Deja came the week before, but this time I brought Stardust.
It was her first car ride buckled in to the front seat. She has only been in the car in her crate with Cosmic from the ASNTF clinic, and two vet trips (first shots, and spay) because we walked to the vet for her second set.
She sat nicely in the front seat, didn't try to chew her seat belt or climb out the slightly cracked window. She seemed scared at first, but after we stopped to get treats at Urban Dog Market she was fine. Those pepperoni sticks are tasty though, so how can you not get distracted and forget to be scared?
At soccer, there were lots of scary people but she let some pet her when they sat with her on the grass. She got to eat her dinner at the park, and even got a bully stick too! At half time I untied her from the fence and we played "chase". She likes to run after me and is good at coming when called.
It was her first car ride buckled in to the front seat. She has only been in the car in her crate with Cosmic from the ASNTF clinic, and two vet trips (first shots, and spay) because we walked to the vet for her second set.
She sat nicely in the front seat, didn't try to chew her seat belt or climb out the slightly cracked window. She seemed scared at first, but after we stopped to get treats at Urban Dog Market she was fine. Those pepperoni sticks are tasty though, so how can you not get distracted and forget to be scared?
At soccer, there were lots of scary people but she let some pet her when they sat with her on the grass. She got to eat her dinner at the park, and even got a bully stick too! At half time I untied her from the fence and we played "chase". She likes to run after me and is good at coming when called.
Some weekend in May: Walking around
Parks, parks, parks.
We go to the offleash park. Everybody listens really well (*cough* except the husky sometimes *cough*). The pup-pup-pup-pup-puppies come when called even if the big dog is heading off another direction.
We took a massive trek with Momma J down to the river and OH BOY was it fun. Deja played chase through all the trails with a pretty pointer. The pups tried to keep up but alas they couldn't, so the started watching which way she was running, and cut her off at the pass. What smart puppies.
We go to the offleash park. Everybody listens really well (*cough* except the husky sometimes *cough*). The pup-pup-pup-pup-puppies come when called even if the big dog is heading off another direction.
We took a massive trek with Momma J down to the river and OH BOY was it fun. Deja played chase through all the trails with a pretty pointer. The pups tried to keep up but alas they couldn't, so the started watching which way she was running, and cut her off at the pass. What smart puppies.
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