
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

I sincerely want to thank all the trainers who worked with us on
training our newest member of the family, Mila. Actually it was
training us but we won't admit to that!! We had the privilege of
working with Karen, Jody, Glenda, Bev and Lisbeth in our Foundation
Classes. Every trainer took an active role in helping us achieve
success. We felt that they were as excited with our small steps
towards success as we were! The training program was so well laid out
with the book, clickers, backpack and superb teachers that it made it
easy to be successful if you were willing to put in the time. It also
made it fun! There is a saying "it takes a village or community to
raise a child". We think the saying could say "it takes Cowichan
Canine to help raise a dog". We are now hoping to continue with
agility classes and maybe even try the scent class.
Thank you again
Mila, Marg, Andre, Sarah & Curtis
Cowichan Valley
We brought our dog to Cowichan Canine to help us better support his socialization and were very happy with actionable advice and info we received through the Behavioural Evaluation and subsequent private lessons. We saw swift and lasting results! Thanks so much!
Gill Polard
Duncan