The Ultimate Guide to Dog Care. Tammy Gagne

well-adjusted puppy will play nicely with his siblings and welcome attention from people, but there are many nuances to canine personalities. While you can certainly help shape what kind of adult dog a puppy becomes, many early temperamental traits will intensify with age. If a pup is the most assertive member of his litter, chances are good that he will try to take the lead role with other pets in your household as well. Likewise, a more timid pup might come out of his shell some over time, but he probably won’t grow into an especially confident or outgoing adult. Both of these theoretical puppies can make good pets for the right people; just bear in mind that a dog who already possesses specific qualities is more likely to retain these traits than another dog is to develop them.

      Beware of Puppy Mills!

      Breeders, rescue organizations, and animal shelters—not necessarily in this order—are the best places to look for the dog of your dreams. You should never buy a dog from a puppy mill. Few people would intentionally support these deplorable businesses that make money by overbreeding animals for profit, but many well-intentioned owners simply do not realize when they are dealing with a puppy mill. A likely sign is a single breeder who offers multiple breeds. A reputable breeder may breed two different breeds, but three or more is usually a cause for concern. Sometimes it can be hard to tell how many breeds a breeder has because many commercial breeders use different ads for each breed they sell. You can double check, though, by running a search with the phone number, which is often the same in each ad.

      Some animal lovers misguidedly think they are rescuing puppy-mill dogs by buying them. The harsh reality is that while these young animals are born into horrible conditions, they are actually the luckier ones. As soon as pups are old enough to be sold, commercial breeders ship them to whoever is willing to pay the price. Some dogs may be sold to pet stores; others may be sold directly to the public. The parents, however, pay the highest price. The dams in particular spend the majority of their lives in cramped, filthy cages with little interaction with people aside from the most basic care. They are forced to deliver litter after litter, as long as their bodies will cooperate. Every time a person buys a puppy-mill dog, he or she is helping support these abusive and greedy businesses.

      Questions to Ask a Breeder

      Before visiting a breeder, make a list of questions to ask during your visit. These may pertain to a specific litter, the breeder’s policies, or general care information. If the breeder has a website or social media account, look for answers there first. Doing so will free up more time during your visit to gather information that you can’t find online. Following are some common questions:

      How and when did you start breeding dogs?

      While there is no right answer to this question, experience is always a plus. Since everyone must start somewhere, though, ask a less experienced breeder about mentors and other resources he or she has found helpful. This follow-up question should offer insight into whether the breeder is a responsible one. The best breeders want to learn as much as they can from responsible breeders who have experience.

      What type of health tests do you perform on your dogs?

      Nearly all breeds are prone to at least one or two health problems. Responsible breeders test their animals for these conditions before breeding them. You should ask to see the health clearances for both parents of any puppy you’re considering. Don’t worry about offending the breeder. A knowledgeable, caring breeder will expect no less.

      Do you offer a health guarantee?

      While no one can truly guarantee the health of an animal, the best breeders stand behind the health of their puppies. The most common guarantee, or warranty, typically states that the breeder will allow you to return the animal with a refund if a major health problem arises within a certain time period.

      What are my responsibilities?

      Good breeders want the best possible homes for their dogs. Some even ask owners to sign contracts. Common stipulations include agreeing to keep the dog on a leash whenever he ventures outdoors, to spay or neuter the animal by a certain age, and to contact the breeder if the owner is ever unable to keep the dog. Many breeders have working relationships with rescue organizations and prefer to participate in rehoming their former pups if it becomes necessary.

      When are your puppies ready to go home?

      The age at which breeders can sell puppies varies slightly by state, but no pup should leave his mother before he is seven weeks old. Eight weeks is ideal and, for some smaller breeds, older is even better. As much as you may want to bring your new puppy home as soon as possible, a breeder who errs on the side of caution is putting the pups’ best interests first.

      Do you offer any follow-up services?

      A breeder has no formal obligation to help new owners raise their puppies. You will be your puppy’s primary caregiver, after all. It isn’t uncommon, though, for breeders to want to be consulted if a new owner is having a problem. Often, the breeder can offer the best advice in these situations, and the best breeders will be more than happy to do it. A breeder friend of mine once told me that the saddest part about breeding is the owners she never hears from again. So if the breeder asks you to stay in touch, consider reaching out every so often, even if just to share that things are going well. A recent photo is often appreciated as well.

      2: Preparing for Your New Dog

      Whether you are a seasoned dog owner or you are completely new to canine companionship, taking your dog home for the first time is an exciting event. New dog owners may feel a bit overwhelmed by homecoming day, though. What if you forget an important item that your pet needs? What should you do if he gets sick or injured? What if your new dog slips out the door and gets away from you?

      Fortunately, a little planning goes a long way when it comes to pet ownership. Perhaps you have picked out a puppy and are waiting for him to be old enough to come home with you, or maybe you are adopting a dog from a rescue group and need to pick him up in a few days from his foster home. In either case, you can use this waiting period to make sure that both you and your home are ready for your new arrival.

      Equipment, Supplies, and Accessories

      The sheer number of items that a dog needs is a big part of why pet ownership can seem overwhelming at first, but you will need to buy many of these things only once. Think of your dog’s crate, bowls, and grooming equipment as investments rather than expenses; they should last for many years. Certainly, consumable items like your dog’s food and shampoo will need replenishing periodically, but he probably won’t run out of everything at once.

      Crate

      You can help your dog feel right at home by having his crate all set up before he walks through the door for the first time. A crate—or kennel, as it is often called—is the perfect place for your pet to eat meals, take naps, and enjoy special treats. Using a crate can also help with housetraining because dogs are known for not wanting to soil the areas in which they rest.

      Rigid plastic carriers with plenty of ventilation are the best choice for traveling with your dog.

      Pet-supply retailers sell several different types of kennels. You can choose between hard plastic models, wire crates, soft-sided kennels, and even decorative pet enclosures that double as end tables. The exact type of kennel you need depends on certain factors. First, you must consider all the purposes that this item will serve. Do you plan to take your dog on trips with you? Airlines require rigid-sided pet carriers for safety purposes. These more resilient kennels are also a smart option for traveling by automobile. If your dog’s crate will remain in a fixed location, you might opt for a wire model. A wire crate offers a dog a special place of his own while simultaneously making it easy for him to see all of what’s going on around him. The more social your dog is, the more he may prefer a wire crate. You can always place a blanket or towel over the crate for privacy when needed. Another important consideration is your dog’s age. A puppy is much more likely than an adult dog to chew a crate made of plastic or one with cloth (usually canvas) or mesh sides.