“Happiness is a warm puppy.”
Charles M. Schulz, creator of Snoopy
Of course, it is not only a puppy that could be the new addition to your home. I can help you with selection, whether a puppy or a dog from a rescue centre.
Choosing a puppy – the breed, sex and selection from the litter – are important decisions. I can help you choose the puppy that is appropriate for your circumstances.
The fit of breed and temperament can be an important decision and needs to fit with you. There are many important factors including but not limited to:
Thinking about the breed and sex is not enough on its own. I would also be mindful of other things such as the reputation of the breeder, the genetic line of the puppies and their individual traits.
I am happy to be contacted to discuss a plan. This advice is typically given within the South West, but I have travelled further afield to help people select their puppy.
Whether you are seeing behaviours creeping in to your training within the first few months or have an older puppy/adolescent dog that is starting to push the boundaries, I can help and advise you.
There are key puppy training times you should be aware of, and most that you as the owner will deal with – from toilet training to socialising. These are not usually issues that need me!
In my experience puppies will often develop negative behaviours at around nine months to a couple of years (their ‘teenage’ years) that can be corrected easily if managed at the appropriate time. Such behaviours can include aggression, dominance, hyperactivity, shyness and disobedience.
I think it is admirable that people rehome dogs and am fully supportive of this. All bar one of our pack are rescues. I want to stress that I am aware that the vast majority of people are working with the best intentions and this is not a criticism of anyone.
Rehoming from within the UK is a well-oiled machine, but rehoming from abroad can be quite a distressing experience for both the dog and new owner and seems to exacerbate many issues. A good percentage of dogs that I see are rescues from Europe. I will help you work with the charity that you have chosen to ensure that you have the best start to your rehoming relationship and that you get the support that you need.
When dogs have been rescued they have probably come off the streets where they will have no rules and have lived by their own means for a number of years.
After a couple of weeks of settling in, their behaviour starts to show, especially when they realise that the new rules of where to sleep, when to eat/sit/stay/get on their bed are enforced. You can see why there are problems as they may well become uneasy as their new world is not as balanced as their old one – hence why there can be issues with rescue dogs.
I have worked with hundreds of rescue dogs and can help you learn how to work with your dog, understand their behaviours and settle into their new home.
Contact me to discuss puppy or rescue dog selection, or to make an appointment today for training.
Click here to get in touch.