Avoid puppies that are nervous, withdrawn or overly excitable, as they are likely to need more training and socialisation. Puppy health is extremely important. Puppies should be plump, but not fat, and free of any lumps or bumps. Avoid taking a puppy with a potbelly, as it may have worms.
Ask about health checks, worming and vaccinations and what documents will come home with your puppy. A good breeder will make sure all puppies have a full veterinary health check and are microchipped, vaccinated and treated for worms and fleas before they are sold, and will provide you with records of these treatments.
Waiting until the puppy is at least 8 weeks of age will help to ensure that the puppy has received an adequate supply of milk from the mother dog.
Is he comfortable around people or does he cower when you approach? See if the puppy will roll over on his back for a belly rub. Pups that will remain in that position are typically easygoing, while pups that resist being rolled onto their back often have a more independent nature.
Observe the litter as a whole.
Notice how the pups interact with each other. While you want an active, playful pup, you also want to avoid a pup that is dominant with his littermates or shy with his littermates. Make sure the puppies are friendly, curious, and trusting around their litter mates and around you.
Signs of a confident dog include a wagging tail, wiggly body, eagerness to greet other people and dogs, and a relaxed mouth with their tongue hanging out or a grin expression. While some dogs may naturally adopt these behaviors, others may have to work up to being this comfortable around others.
On the first night, and for about three weeks, have the puppy sleep in a dog crate next to the bed. Line the base with blankets so that it is cosy and drape another blanket over the top to help it feel more secure. Give the puppy the stuffed toy that has its littermates' scent on it to snuggle up to.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
Stage 5: Adolescence (6 – 18 months) This can be the most difficult time during a puppy's development – adolescence. Your cute little puppy is becoming a teenager and will start producing hormones which may result in changes in behaviour.
If your dog sees you as the alpha, they will permit you to eat first and refrain from snatching or stealing food. This is a sign of respect. In your home, you set your dog's feeding schedule. If your pup sees you as the alpha, he or she will patiently wait for food or subtly ask for table scraps.
Whether you rescue an older dog or a puppy, a lot of dogs tend to follow the 3-3-3 rule when getting acclimated: 3 days of feeling overwhelmed and nervous. 3 weeks of settling in. 3 months of building trust and bonding with you.
Like humans, dogs need food, water, and shelter to survive. Yet, they also need physical care, mental stimulation, and nurturing to thrive. Providing these things is an essential part of keeping your dog healthy and safe and sets the foundation for a long, happy life with your dog.
Should I choose the fattest puppy? The biggest or fattest puppy in the litter can turn out to be the greediest one - he probably pushed the other puppies away to get the most food. The smallest one often can't fend for itself and consequently doesn't get enough food.
Female dogs tend to be easier to housebreak, easier to train, and more connected with their owners—but in certain circumstances they can be more demanding of attention. Aggression can be a problem in any dog of any breed, however it is usually more apparent in non-neutered males.
#1 – Border Collie
Border Collies are one of the smartest dog breeds, making them also one of the easiest dogs to potty train. They have natural herding instincts and can start herding sheep with little to no training. So, with plenty of kindness and praise, you can teach them basic concepts in no time.
Don't believe the myth “they will grow out of it”.
While some pups do calm down as they get older, over-excitement isn't regular puppy energy and can continue to appear even in adult dogs. The key thing is to understand when and what causes over-excitement in order to address it before it gets out of hand.