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

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