How to Find a Good Dog
How to Find a Good Dog
With Lisbeth Plant ACDBC UW-AAB KPACTP CBATI
Why are there so many aggressive dogs out there these days? Dogs bark everywhere! Why? How do you make sure that your dog doesn't grow up to be one of them?
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
You are a smart and skeptical consumer. You make an effort buy quality products and services, that are made to last, from providers with a proven track record, who stand by their products and services.
But how do you apply that "consumer smart" when you go to buy your next (or first) dog or puppy? Can you resist those pleading eyes when you know nothing, or even some not so good things, about that puppy's or dog's background? Should you resist?
Most of us have heard about how "smart" the border collies are, how "friendly" the golden retrievers are, how pitbulls can "lock their jaws" and how "healthy" the doodles are. But is it all really true?
Should you get a puppy or an adult?
Should you pick the wildest puppy or the calmest puppy in the litter? Why?
Or, should you let the breeder pick the puppy for you?
Many behaviour problems start already at conception. We know that temperament is highly heritable and that nervous/fearful/aggressive/reactive parents are more likely to produce nervous/fearful/aggressive/reactive offspring. How can you tell what kind of temperament the parents of your puppy have?
If you want to get a rescue dog, you will likely know nothing of the parents. How can you tell what the temperament is of the dog you are looking at? Is it true that what you see is what you get? What might be hiding under the surface?
How do you find an ethical breeder, one who is working more for the welfare of the dogs and their puppies, than for his/her own pocket book? How do you find a rescue that is not just working for their own profit, or have more sentiment than they have expertise in the rescue process? Should you pay a deposit on a puppy?
How do you spot tricks, traps and outright fraud in the largely unregulated pet industry? What makes a good day care or boarding service? How do you pick a reliable dog walker? What makes a good groomer? Or, for that matter, a good trainer?
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are regulated. Still, how do you pick a good vet that your dog will love? What happens if you want to change your vet?
How can you make the transition from the whelping box to your home as smooth as possible? How do you introduce a rescue dog to your home? How do you best introduce the new dog or puppy to your resident dog(s)?
How do you puppy-proof your home?
Educate yourself BEFORE you adopt or buy!
Location: Cowichan Canine Training Centre
106-5301 Chaster Road, Duncan
Inquiries: 1-778-455-1985 or email
Click here to register ONE PERSON
Click here to register A FAMILY
Just want to thank you Lisbeth and also Bev and Karen for the excellent training that Lily and I have enjoyed so much. I know Lily has enough for a pass now but we really are aiming for distinction. We are working hard at home as well to see if we can get this. Lily is so improved now. My husband says that in the mornings when he is playing ball off leash with her that she no longer runs at other dogs, she just ignores them now. I noticed when I took her to another trainer in the summer she was always panting and anxious. At Cowichan Canine she is just so happy and cannot wait to get in the door. It is her favourite place so obviously what you are doing is right and the place has great vibes for dogs. She has not reacted to the dogs in the classes either but is always wagging her tail. I am very grateful for this. We will be back in December and want to go onto greater things in advanced and we are both looking forward to it. Going to bring my other dog Cole as well.
Susan
Maple Bay, BC
Hello Cowichan Canine,
We thought you might enjoy an update on Sigrid. We went to the Port Alberni Sanction Match. We are so thankful we did Puppy Start Right and are in Foundations 1. The training really pulled together in this environment.
Sigrid experienced crating, grooming, strange people touching and examining, strange dogs, a new place with strange acoustics, angry dogs, scared dogs, new commands, and a show lead.
Her socialization has given her confidence in spades! She handled it all like a champ and she truly enjoyed herself as we were hoping she would. We could not have done this without the foundations training to settle and also to pay attention in a distracting environment. It was helpful for her to be used to coexisting next to other focused dogs without greeting.
Thank you so much for all she is learning.
Cait & Jess
Sigrid & Cait & Jess
Duncan, BC
