Training with Kindness

 Pedigree puppies will have certain traits which they will have inherited from their parents. Labrador puppies will probably want to play retrieve games and find-it games. Border collie puppies will have the instinct to round you up! Most pedigree dog breeders will health test the parents of your puppy, before they breed from them, as they will try to improve the health of a litter and thus the breed they love. Beware of advertisements or breeders claiming they are breeding a rare colours as these rare colours often carry health problems responsible breeders are trying to keep their breed free from. Check the Kennel Club Breed Standards to find the breeds recognised colours. People breeding rare colours are most often not knowledgeable or responsible breeders

Crossbreed puppies such as Cockerpoos', Cavachons' and Labradoodles' will inherit a mixture of behaviours from both parents some will be more like the father and others more like the mother. Coats will vary, in Labradoodles you might get a puppy whose adult coat is like a labrador coat or a poodle coat. These dogs are sometimes sold as non shedding, hypoallergenic and healthier than pedigree breeds. This is not the case, they will shed hair, they are not ideal for all allergy sufferers and just like pedigree puppies they will inherit health issues from the sire and the dam.
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Rescue dogs can be very loving and very good companions. Rescue dogs come in the rescue for a variety of reasons, which range from a change of circumstances of their original guardian, to the original  guardian not coping with the dog. Their history may mean they can come with bad habits already trained into them from a previous guardian, which is why they ended up being in a rescue. Taking on a rescue dog can be rewarding but you will need a lot of patience to enable the dog to have the opportunity to learn new behaviours so that he/she can be part of your family. 

Rescuing dogs from abroad is something which MUST NOT be taken likely. You have to consider the environment from which the dog is being taken  e.g. has the dog been allowed to wander/travel where it wishes? Enclosing such a dog in a house or garden and restricting their exercise could cause major problems and the dog could have underlying health problems which are not visible at first. You must do your research and not let your heart rule your head as the wellbeing of the dog concerned must be your first priority.  

 Questions you can ask yourself:

What size dog will fit my lifestyle and home?
How much exercise will the dog need? Remember dogs will want to go out whatever the weather.
How much food will it eat? Big dogs will need bigger portions of food, dog foods can be expensive.
What do I expect of my dog? 
​Can I cope with a lively bouncy dog or a dog who loves to wallow in mud or roll in stinky stuff? 

 Pedigree puppies:
Look for a breed club and speak to the secretary, he or she will suggest places or breeders you can visit to see what the adult dogs are like to live with. Breed clubs will have health information pages on their website, which will give you important information to ask the breeder of your puppy. Where applicable ask the breeder to show you health testing certificates for the parents and if puppies need testing their health result certificates'
The Kennel Club has breed guidelines you can check on their website as well. 
Never buy from a breeder who does not have health certificates for their puppies parents.
A good breeder will explain the certificates to you.
Do not purchase puppies advertised as rare colours, as these puppies often carry hidden health problems.
Always see the puppy with it's mother.
Never be tempted to have two puppies together.

Crossbred puppies:
​If the puppy is a first cross, like a cockerpoo or labradoodle, look at the KC website and the breed club websites for both parents breed clubs, as the breeds may share the same health problem. 
Breed clubs will have health information pages on their website, which will give you important information to ask the breeder of your puppy.
Ask the breeder of the puppies if you can visit before deciding to get a puppy. Look at the adult parents to see if they have good temperaments and look well kept.
Never buy from a breeder who does not have health certificates for their puppies parents.
A good breeder will explain the certificates to you.
Always see the puppy with it's mother.​
​Never be tempted to get two puppies together.

Rescue dogs:
A good rescue will give you as much information as possible about the dog you decide you would like to offer a home to.
Pedigree breed clubs will have breed rescue schemes so if you want a pedigree dog you can contact a breed rescue, breed rescues are very supportive of new owners as they really do want the new home to work out well.
Rescue organisations will require you to agree to a 'home check' before you can have a dog. This is to make sure your home is suitable for the dog.
It is unlikely that a rescue dog will have health test certificates, but you can get these done if you really want to once you are the new guardian.
Rescue organisations should offer you help if any problems arise once you have the dog. Some rescue dogs may have anxiety problems from being in kennels or from what has happened to them before they went into kennels.
Be prepared that in the first weeks the dog will be settling in to your home and routine, and problems like excessive barking might occur once they are used to you and feel secure enough to exhibit a behaviour that may have led to it being put into rescue for re-homing. 

EYE TESTING- B.V.A. eye panellists at www.bva.co.uk

The eye scheme is to identify inherited and non-inherited eye conditions. The examination is carried out by expert vets. The scheme is open to all dogs including crossbreeds. 

The test takes between 20 to 30 minutes and the vet will discuss the results before you receive the certificate.

 Ask the breeder or rescue if you can leave an item or cover that smells of you with the dog so that it smells of something the dog gets to know, and take it home when you take the dog or puppy home. Do not wash it until the dog or puppy is settled in.
​Provide a safe secure place in your home your dog can go to when it wants to rest and feel safe.
Sleep is important to a new puppy.
If you are using a crate, cover three sides of the crate to create a cosy den. If the dog or puppy tries to pull the cover into the cage and eat it find something else like cardboard to cover the top and three sides.
Try not to leave your puppy or rescue dog for extended periods: ideally no longer than four hours.
Wash and clean all the food bowls and the water bowl daily.
A breeder will supply if you ask a small amount of food to help the puppy settle in, until you can buy more.
Exercise for a puppy should be 5 minutes walk per month of life as a guide line.
Make sure your garden is safe and secure, a well fenced garden is a must.