When deciding to look at a litter of newborn puppies, you should also look at the parents. Photos: dpa
Do you have an interesting story about your living pet that you would like to share with readers? We’d love to hear from you. Tell us in 600-900 words, with 3-4 photos (in JPEG format, file size about 1MB, captioned). There is no payment for stories, and we reserve the right to edit all submissions. Send your story to: lifestyle@thestar.com.my with the subject "My Pet Story".
It's a story heard over and over again: “He chose me.” Then follows a gushing account about how the cute tiny puppy clumsily stumbled its way to its future mummy or daddy, immediately wanted to play a game, or fell asleep in their lap. So, so heart-warming, such fateful encounters.
But, is it really a good idea to let the dog “decide” about its new keepers? Should people follow their heart or their mind?
Dog trainer Andre Vogt has a clear opinion on the matter.
“It’s best to follow your mind,” says Vogt, who has a reality show called The Puppy Trainer on a German TV channel. “But to 90% of people, it’s their gut feeling, regardless of what you say as a trainer.”
He understands why this is so.
“Dogs are such fascinating creatures that there is sometimes something to that, up to a point.”
However, you must also consider that this new furry member of the family will be around for the next 10 to 15 years.
So it is smart to start out using your mind. For, when face to face with cute little puppies, it is usually quickly over with sober reflection.
“Before I select a puppy, I must first ask myself: Which dog fits my life situation?” says Vogt, author of a book on puppy training.
Very often, Vogt has observed how a canine pet is chosen for aesthetic reasons.
But more important, he argues, is to pay heed to what a particular dog is made for, which characteristics its breed has, whether it is needed as a family dog or for sport.
The previous experience of the purchaser also can play a role. Somebody acquiring their first dog should use the opportunity to go to a dog training school or get advice from a dog trainer.
“Unfortunately, too few people do that,” says Vogt, who runs dog training schools in the German cities of Erkrath and Solingen. “And then it happens that a dog-human team shows up where I can see right away that it was not the best consideration given to the choice of this particular dog.”
Animal psychologist Patricia Loesche in Bad Bramstedt is convinced about one thing: “What is decisive is that you should clarify ahead of time what kind of dog you want.”
When deciding to look at a litter of newborn puppies, you should also look at the parents.
If the mother is a whirlwind and can’t stay in one place for two seconds, nursing the pups on the run, and if the father is also very lively, then don’t expect any sleepyheads from this litter.
“If I myself best like to relax on the sofa, then such a dog is not for me. No matter how cute it seems when I choose it, it will not likely be the dog I want. Nor will I be its favourite human,” she said. Unless one is ready to go in other directions.
Assuming, however, that you have carefully thought things out in advance and have found the breed of dog that fits you best, as well as a breeder where the bitch was lovingly cared for and the puppies wonderfully socialised: How should you then decide?
Vogt’s answer might bother some: He says it is best if you don’t choose your future canine partner yourself, but leave it up to the breeder.
“Good breeders spend all day with their puppies. They know exactly which one of the litter is the go-getter, which is the most sporty, or which is a bit sensitive. And, which one fits to which person the best,” Vogt says.
Loesche also stresses that a competent breeder is most likely in a position to build the best human-canine team, on the condition that the new owners have also told the truth about themselves and about their motivation.
But, for those who wish to do their own choosing, they are advised to visit a litter as often as possible, while nevertheless being aware of one thing: Each encounter is only a snapshot!
For it just might be that the puppy which is lying sleepily in a corner was only moments before your arrival the biggest bully among its siblings. Or perhaps the puppy which was the fastest to run up to you might have just finished a long nap.
“Even a puppy test is no prediction for the future, but only a rough estimate,” says Loesche, the chairwoman of Germany’s Professional Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants and Trainers (VDTT).
It’s not just genetics that shape the creatures, but also that which they have experienced in life – starting in the mother’s womb. Which impressions have they experienced, what have they learned?
“The true personality of a dog, the result of all that which happened during the pre-natal, post-natal, the puppy and young dog phases – this whole package in the end becomes apparent only after puberty,” Loesche says.
Which means, depending on the breed, 18 to 24 months, or even later.
At best, predictions about how a puppy will develop can only be made from general tendencies.
“A dog that comes from poor handling is likely to be more prone to stress and therefore possibly be more demanding later on than one that has had good care,” the expert says.
Those who pick a puppy in an animal shelter must assume that its mother has already seen a lot of stress.
“With this there is a greater probability that the puppies are also more susceptible to stress than those whose mother was able to deliver and nurture them in a trusted, friendlier environment and so were more lovingly cared for.”
But the bottom line is this: Despite the best parental genes, optimal care and a carefully made choice of puppy, you won’t automatically get your “perfect” pet.
“And this is also good,” says puppy trainer Vogt. “For dogs are living creatures. You should always keep that in mind.” – dpa/Katja Sponholz
