Australian Cattle Dog. Charlotte Schwartz

YOUR SCHEDULE ...

      If you lead an erratic, unpredictable life, with daily or weekly changes in your work requirements, consider the problems of owning a puppy. The new puppy has to be fed regularly, social ized (loved, petted, handled, introduced to other people) and, most importantly, allowed to go outdoors for house-training. As the dog gets older, he can be more tolerant of deviations in his feeding and relief schedule.

      Let’s assume that all of your investigations have proven fruitful. You feel sure that there’s an AuCaDo puppy out there, waiting just for you, so now all you need is to find this perfect pup. Get back in touch with the breeders with whom you spoke originally and find out who has a litter of puppies. If there are none available at this time, ask questions about who’s going to be breeding in the near future and when the proposed puppies will be ready to go to new homes. That, then, will become your target date and you’ll use the present time to prepare yourself, your family and your home for receiving an AuCaDo puppy.

      Getting a new puppy is, in many ways, a lot like having a baby. There are many things you must consider, dozens of things you must do to get ready and many arrangements that must be made for the optimum upbringing of this youngster. Let’s begin by preparing yourself and your family for the new addition.

      Have you thought about the fact that you’ll probably have to get up earlier than usual for a while? You’ll be taking the puppy out for toilet training very frequently at first. As the pup grows, he will slowly develop bladder muscle control, so the frequency and urgency of going out will subside.

      Is your family willing and able to assist in the housebreaking chore? Do all of the members realize how observant they will need to be in keeping a watchful eye on the new little fellow? Are they willing to take care of scheduled feeding times? Is everyone in agreement about crate-training the puppy?

      You will need to have some serious discussions about what you will and will not accept in the way of the puppy’s behavior. For example, is the puppy going to be allowed on beds and furniture? How much freedom is the puppy going to be given once he’s mature? Some families allow their dogs total freedom throughout the home, while others limit dogs to certain rooms in the house, such as the kitchen and family room. All of these things must be decided before you bring the puppy into your home.

       PEDIGREE VS. REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE

      Too often new owners are confused between these two important documents. Your puppy’s pedigree, essentially a family tree, is a written record of a dog’s genealogy of three generations or more. The pedigree will show you the names as well as performance titles of all dogs in your pup’s background. Your breeder must provide you with a registration application, with his part properly filled out. You must complete the application and send it to the AKC with the proper fee. Every puppy must come from a litter that has been AKC-REGISTERED by the breeder, born in the US and from a sire and dam that are also registered with the AKC.

      The seller must provide you with complete records to identify the puppy. The AKC requires that the seller provide the buyer with the following: breed; sex, color and markings; date of birth; litter number (when available); names and registration numbers of the parents; breeder’s name; and date sold or delivered.

      Are the children going to share in exercising the pup? If you have very small children, are you prepared to supervise the kids as well as the dog? Are you aware of how important it is that children and dogs should never be left alone at anytime without adult supervision? Mistakes can happen and dogs don’t always understand the behavior of little ones, so protect your children and your puppy by always being there when they are together.

       Quality pups begin with a quality breeding program. Here is Aust. Ch. Meroolestate Kristie with her two-week-old pups. Owned by Narelle Robertson.

       “YOU BETTER SHOP AROUND!”

      Finding a reputable breeder who sells healthy pups is very important, but make sure that the breeder you choose is not only someone you respect but also someone with whom you feel comfortable. Your breeder will be a resource long after you buy your puppy, and you must be able to call with reasonable questions without being made to feel like a pest! If you don’t connect on a personal level, investigate some other breeders before making a final decision.

      Now, about your home. Is it prepared to weather the effects of a growing puppy? Have you purchased baby gates to close off certain spaces in the house where you can keep the puppy safe from harm and the house safe from the curious puppy? Blocking off stairways is another important factor. The puppy can be taught to safely negotiate stairs, but it will take a little while and you won’t want your puppy to get hurt before he learns how to manage them.

      If you have a yard, the puppy can be allowed to play there, providing it is fenced. The fence should be about 4 feet high and totally secure, without holes or small escape spots. Do not leave the puppy in the yard without your supervision, as he can get into all sorts of trouble when you’re not watching him.

      All electrical cords and other wires, such as those for the TV, VCR and telephone, must be kept out of puppy’s reach. Given the opportunity, the pup is likely to find them fascinating and fun to chew on. Knickknacks and small items on low tables are an invitation to grab and chew. So are shoes left out and around. Trash bins smell inviting to dogs, and puppies love to tip them over and investigate their contents. You will need to be certain that all wastebaskets are placed out of puppy’s reach before he arrives home.

      Make arrangements to have a veterinarian see your puppy within a week or so of his arrival home. Having a veterinarian that you trust and respect will be key to maintaining your dog’s health for his entire life. The vet should be well-known in your community and admired by other dog owners with whom you’ve consulted regarding their pets’ health care.

      At the initial meeting with your proposed veterinarian, he will check the puppy’s previous shot record and administer whatever immunization shots are required at that time. Find out how the vet can be reached at night and on weekends when the office is closed. If an emergency arises, the last thing you want to do is have to search for someone to care for your dog. Keep telephone numbers and names in a handy place where all family members can find them quickly.

       TEMPERAMENT COUNTS

      Your selection of a good puppy can be determined by your needs. A show or working potential or a good pet? It is your choice. Every puppy, however, should be of good temperament. Although show-quality puppies are bred and raised with emphasis on physical conformation, responsible breeders strive for equally good temperament. Do not buy from a breeder who concentrates solely on physical traits at the expense of temperamental soundness.

      While you’re waiting for your target date to arrive, in addition to all of these preparations, another important decision must be made. You need to decide whether you want a female or a male puppy. Once you’ve made up your mind, it’s prudent to call the breeder and let him know your choice. If you’re still not sure or have no preference, you can simply make your choice when you visit the litter. Usually breeders will let you see the pups a few weeks before they are ready to leave, and you can make your selection at that time. Maybe you’ll see one particular puppy whose behavior just speaks to you. The puppy seems to be saying, “Take me!” Many dog owners claim they didn’t pick their puppy—their puppy picked them!

      Males are frequently more independent than females, though just as loving toward their owners. Adult intact males can be more dominant and often resent the presence of other males in their territory. To prevent aggressive behavior problems in adult males, this trait must be curbed when the dog is a puppy. A course in basic obedience can serve to teach the dog self-control