As we have two labs already, we have had to prepare them as well as the house for the new arrival. Over the past couple of weeks the dog crate and puppy toys have been brought out and put in position in the utility room where he can be confined by a baby gate; mats that the puppy might chew have been lifted and the older dogs' bowls have been moved out and into the kitchen.
We have a cardboard box lined with newspaper and towel to bring him home in - a travel crate would do just as well - and we are taking his bed blanket to rub on his mum before we leave so that he can smell her and doesn't feel too lonely. Both older dogs will come in the car when we go to collect him so that they can smell him in a confined space during the journey home, and he can smell them. Hopefully by the time we arrive back all three will be used to each others' smell and introductions shouldn't be too stressful.
Both older dogs are well socialised, although the older one has various health problems so won't appreciate a puppy hanging off his face and ears again. We need to watch him as he is unlikely to reprimand the puppy by nipping it, he is more likely to sit on it and as he weighs 35kg that could be rather serious for the pup!
I plan to train the puppy in obedience firstly, then once his joints have stopped growing - possibly 12 - 18 months old for a Labrador - I will see how he manages with agility. I will also try Gun Dog Training depending upon my time and his temperament.
Choosing a puppy from a litter of adorable little faces and wagging tails can be very difficult, but you need to think about what experience you have of dog ownership and what you want from a dog so that you can make a sensible decision as to which pup to choose. The WORST thing a first time dog owner with young children can do is to choose the pup that runs up to you and demands attention.
Before you even get your pup home its temperament is shaped by:
- the genes it inherits from its parents;
- the environment it was exposed to as it developed inside its mother's womb (was she happy and well-fed, or stressed and starving?)
- the mother's temperament (is she calm and friendly to humans, or fearful and snappy with strangers - she passes these attitudes on to her pups)
- early exposure to people, environments, noises, smells, other dogs and animals etc from about 6 weeks to 14 weeks. The more experiences your dog has of all these things, the better. But a scary encounter could cause him to be fearful for life so take care and be in control of new experiences.
When choosing my pups I have used the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test http://goo.gl/uU74V as well as consulting the breeder. This is one of the tools devised by the Volhards who have been training, raising and showing dogs for over 30 years and can be used by a new owner - you don't need to be an expert. It is also used to inform selection of puppies with a suitable temperament for Guide Dog training.
It can help identify pups in a litter that are strong-minded and independent and so are not suitable for a family or an inexperienced handler. Similarly, extremely fearful or submissive pups will need a calm environment, probably not with children, and they too need an experienced handler who can build their confidence. Families with children should look for a calm, easily controlled pup who will get on easily with children and can adapt to the noisy comings and goings of family life.
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