Lews, what kind of sound does this dog do? Rrrrroarrrrwah?
What kind of guarding aptitudes does it have? Maybe it is more a retriever, or a new hound? Never heard about that breed before... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />
The second big decision we have to make when we're in the process to get a dog, apart from choosing a breed (and the gender you want), is to select the puppy/dog that we'll take home.
All these choices and their consequences are often not considered deeply enough; because of that lots of dog owners end up with "unexpected" problems with their dog, and a bunch of them even end up to get rid of them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />
If people were getting more informed and made a more concensious decision instead of choosing impulsively, loads of problems and sad-ending stories would be avoided.
Here is a test, easy to perform, that gives some good indications on a puppy's drive and temper:
Volhard's puppy aptitude test. It is similar to the Campbell tests, wich I find very useful; I'll post them here later, when I'll have the time to make the translation. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> It can be useful for potential dog owners like janggut. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Although they're no to be taken for granted, the results of these tests are generally fair enough and help greatly to discern the different drives of each pup.
Personally, I did quite all these exercises when I came to choose my puppy (there were three females in that litter), in addition to observe the pups play togheter, bringing them on an unknown room to see their reactions, etc. Before that I had got informed as much as I could about the breed and any other aspect in case. My doggie is gonna be two years old this summer, her training is mostly done, and until now I haven't had any problem other than the ones that were expected. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />
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