Questions, questions...
About life with a puppy (dog)
It goes without saying that every prospective puppy buyer wants to see the puppies before making a purchase.As breeders, we are happy to introduce you to our dogs and puppies and explain various aspects of dog ownership. However, we also have certain expectations of prospective puppy buyers.
He will expect that you have already acquired some information about "your" breed (the one you have chosen for yourself).
Calls with the text: " We're interested in your breed and wanted to find out what they look like, how big they are, and whether they have long hair. Could we come and see them on Sunday afternoon?" These are all questions that you, as a prospective puppy buyer, should already have answered for yourself, for example, through books or relevant information from the internet. Or on our blog about dog breeds.
Then you can specifically obtain books or breed profiles about your breed and already have a good knowledge about your breed when you first visit the breeder!
Every breeder appreciates well-informed prospective puppy owners. No reputable breeder would use "persuasion strategies" on new puppy parents regarding their animals. They will inform the people
Prefer those who know what they want and are looking for!
Furthermore, it is absolutely unacceptable to visit a breeder to see puppies if you have already visited numerous other breeders and interacted with countless puppies. In most cases, the puppies are not yet fully vaccinated. There are a number of serious canine diseases that can be transmitted through contact or via shoes and clothing. The same precautions apply to puppies as to human infants. For example, you should not put your fingers in the puppies' mouths just because they nibble on them so cutely. You should also not pick up small puppies or place them on children's laps. The risk of dropping them is simply too great. Puppies can often jump tremendously, and if you are not used to handling them, an accident can happen very quickly.
The question of whether you can bring your own dog to the puppy appointment is also unnecessary, as this is not possible for understandable reasons. Every breeder can assume that you, as a prospective puppy owner, will exercise some care regarding the puppies' health. It should also be obvious that you cancel a scheduled appointment with the breeder if you cannot keep it.
As a breeder, I wonder why so many prospective puppy owners schedule viewings, ideally on weekends, and then don't even show up! It makes you wonder what the point is! Or what's this game called?
If the breeder has taken the time to advise you nicely, it is a matter of courtesy to inform him of your decision after a few days.
Of course, you should have the time a pet requires. A dog is not suitable for working people. You should also have permission from your landlord to keep a dog. And you should have enough space for the dog to run around.
Furthermore, you should be aware that owning a dog incurs ongoing costs beyond the initial purchase price. The upkeep of an animal is not insignificant.
Can you imagine being with your dog every day for many years? Walking him in rain, storms, wind, or cold with snow?
Tolerating a wet, smelly dog in your apartment?
Can the dirt he brings in spoil your enjoyment of your pet?
Are you prepared to take responsibility for your dog's training? Does this mean attending dog training classes on many days?
Are you ready to keep your dog in a species-appropriate manner? You should be aware that you must treat your dog like a dog, not like a human, for its well-being. A dog's communication is fundamentally different from that of humans. You need to learn and understand certain things so that you can apply them effectively when interacting with your animal. Anthropomorphizing an animal is anything but good for the dog. For the dog's well-being, it is absolutely essential that it has a structured hierarchy within its human-dog pack. Only then will it develop into a pleasant companion. Without this hierarchy, it will always develop neurotic tendencies.
It's not normal for a dog to have everything revolve around him.
Always remember that the dog is moving into your house, not the other way around.
Don't let your dog get away with things you would never tolerate from a human child. During the puppy stage, the little dog might destroy a lot of things!
Often, at the beginning, he'll have a "small or big mishap," and in places where you definitely don't want it! Can you handle that?
An animal, especially a dog, is not a "modern children's toy"! It should never be considered a gift. Even if your child desperately wants a pet, you should remember that children are often overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for an animal and can, perhaps unknowingly, cause it a great deal of suffering. Furthermore, the burden of care usually falls on the homemaker. Of course, you can fulfill your child's wish, but only if you, as parents, are prepared to take on the care and training of the new addition to the family and will find joy in it. Otherwise, it's best to refrain from getting a pet.
Your little puppy also needs to play with other dogs, especially with puppies of the same age if possible. Attending a well-chosen puppy group (dog training school) is a good idea. A puppy that is prevented from regularly playing with other puppies to test itself and establish a hierarchy will later have difficulties with all social interactions. This applies to both dogs and humans. I frequently see puppies around 10 weeks old leaving for new homes with people who believe they are doing everything for their dog... but don't provide them with opportunities to socialize with other dogs.
If you allow dogs to roam freely, or keep them exclusively on a leash, you'll observe that these poor dogs become neurotic. They don't understand rules and can bite very quickly. This is anything but species-appropriate...
Therefore, make an effort to take your puppy's needs seriously. A child who, for example, had to grow up among chickens would also suffer serious behavioral problems. Firstly, because it simply wouldn't have the same language as the chickens, and secondly, because this species has different behavioral patterns than humans. While the child would try to learn as much as possible to adapt, it would also often reach its limits and feel misunderstood. Your little puppy will experience something similar when you bring it into your home...
It's so amazing how much of your language a dog can correctly interpret and implement. People usually only understand a small percentage of dog language. And they often misinterpret your dog's many gestures... how frustrating it must be for the dog not to be understood, even though he tries so hard to connect with you... that's why playing with other dogs is so valuable and important. How wonderful it is to be understood... and how good it feels!
Is your dog being cared for during your vacation? Who would look after the animal if you were hospitalized? Do all family members agree to having a dog?
Was wird aus dem Hund wenn sich Ihre Lebensumstände ändern könnten? Wieviel Verantwortung werden Sie dann für dieses Tier übernehmen, werden Sie den Züchter um Hilfe bei einer eventuellen Abgabe bitten? Werden Sie einer "Neuvermittlung" Zeit geben, oder muss Ihr Hund dann innerhalb kürzester Zeit sein Heim verlassen?
Jedem Tierbesitzer, ob jung oder alt, kann etwas zustoßen! Ist in diesem Fall ein Verwandter, oder Freund bereit, den Hund zu übernehmen und ihm ein neues Heim zu geben?
Kein Züchter möchte dass aus einem seiner gezogenen Welpen ein "Wanderpokal" wird, welcher am Ende durch zig Hände gehen muss, bevor er, wenn er Glück hat, wieder ein neues Plätzchen findet! Nicht immer ist es für den Züchter möglich, einen Hund wieder aufzunehmen, vor allem, wenn es sich um einen erwachsenen Rüden handelt. Jedoch wird er einiges unternehmen, den Hund wieder in "gute Hände" zu vermitteln. Natürlich ist es selbstverständlich, dass die Rückgabe des Tieres unentgeltlich ist, denn es wird für den Züchter schwer genug, dieses Tier wieder zu vermitteln. Oft mögen "andere Interessenten" kein "gebrauchtes Tier"!
Bedenken Sie immer, dass der Welpe den Sie sich aussuchen, Ihnen auf Gedeih und Verderb ausgeliefert ist. Der Welpe wird nicht gefragt, ob er Sie als Partner in einem Mensch Hund Rudel haben möchte! Jedoch wird der Hund Ihnen in der Regel treu und ehrlich seine Zuwendung schenken.
How will you cope with a sick or aging animal? What about the associated costs?
Every good breeder will strive to breed healthy animals to the best of their knowledge and conscience. However, any animal can become ill, or be ill, without the breeder knowing or being able to suspect it at the time of transfer. What then?
Every puppy buyer should be aware that breed-specific diseases exist in all breeds. Even if the breeder does their job perfectly, you as a puppy buyer could still end up with such a puppy. The breeder doesn't do this intentionally.
Buying a pet, or a dog, is quick and easy, but being there for that companion for a lifetime is a huge responsibility! Are you fully aware of that?
The purchase costs are low compared to the ongoing costs incurred by an animal.
Think carefully about whether you want to take on this challenge.
However, if none of this scares you, then an animal is almost always an enrichment to your life, and the dog in general is probably one of the most loyal, honest friends you will ever have!