Puppy Aptitude Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-447 -- More Projects »
Veterinarian Bernadine Cruz shows how to test a puppy to see if it best suits the owner's personality or the owner's children. - Before purchasing a puppy, decide if it is the right thing to do. If you have a young child in the home, or if you are too busy, it may not be good timing. The commitment is one that lasts the lifetime of the pet.
- Deciding on a breed can't be done by watching the movies or television. Programs are highly scripted and edited, and we don't get to see what happens after the camera is turned off.
- Evaluate your family's lifestyle against the breed of the dog. If you live in a small house or apartment and you select an active breed, plan on doing a lot of outdoor walking. If you are an active family, a mild, passive breed may not fit into your plans. Remember, a very young child usually doesn't mix well with a puppy. A child likes to squeeze and pull, and a puppy may feel the need to defend itself.
The upside-down test: Literally take the puppy securely in your arms and point its head toward the ground (figure A). If the puppy struggles mightily, it is communicating that it won't be passive in your arms. If the idea is to have the puppy around children or to dress it up or generally act mild, this wouldn't be the puppy for you.
The noise test: Create a loud noise by banging together two pots, for instance, near the puppy (figure B). If the puppy pees on the floor, runs away or becomes very skittish, this puppy may not have the self-confidence you desire, or it is a puppy that would not become accustomed to an active or noisy household with children. If the puppy is alert at the sound or seems unruffled, it's confidence is usually in check and can be exposed to fluctuating situations.
The toe test: Although it sounds a bit cruel, this test can go a long way to determining a puppy's sensitivity to commands and, in turn, how it might respond to correction. Find the little skin between the puppy's toes and apply pressure with your fingers (figure C). If a puppy immediately reacts by softly crying or biting at you, it is probably a sensitive puppy. If it remains largely indifferent to increasing pressure, it may be hard to get the puppy's attention in general. A sensitive puppy won't need much correction at all to obey. The "come" test: This is an indicator of how well the puppy responds to you and identifies with you personally. Simply kneel down and call to the puppy. If it comes straight to you, there is a good chance it identifies with you or with people in general. Puppies can be distracted and may not come to you at all. The best way to use this test is to visit a puppy more than once before making a decision. If it rushes into your arms the second time you visit it, you might just be taking it home.
Guests Dr. Bernadine Cruz
Veterinarian, Laguna Hills Animal Hospital
Laguna Hills, CA
Phone: 949-837-7333
Website: lagunahillsanimalhospital.com Also in this Episode
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