SERVICES
SELECTING
THE RIGHT DOG
PUPPY
KINDERGARTEN
BASIC
OBEDIENCE
PROBLEM
SOLVING
DOGS AND
BABIES
THE PACK
WALK
CUSTOMIZED
LESSONS
|
Selecting The Right Dog
Humans are emotional creatures.
Almost every single one of us will smile and coo at the
sight of a puppy. We want to hold him, pet him, play
with him, and take him home. Many times, one member of
the family falls in love with a puppy because of how he
looks and how cute and playful he is, while the rest of the
family goes along with the plan, and the puppy comes
home. At other times we take a puppy home because we had one
"just like him" in the past. Then, the puppy starts
growing... It may not be so cute anymore... the
furniture is chewed... the carpets are stained... the
barking does not stop... you can't go for a walk without
him attacking every dog he sees... etc. etc. etc.
How do we get into that kind of
situation? Is it really the dog's fault? Is it our
fault? Or did we simply get a dog whose needs and
character did not match our family's? Different dog
breeds have different energy levels, require different
amounts of physical exercise, are easier or more
difficult to train, and may or may not easily get along
with other animals. Also, different family types lend
themselves to specific types of dogs. Is your family
physically active? Do you spend much time in nature
(hiking, farming, hunting, etc.)? Will there be somebody
at home all the time or are all the members of the
family out all day? How much time do you have to train
and socialize the dog?
Another point to consider is that within the same litter, some
of the puppies are dominant and strong headed, while others
are more laid back and easy to get along with. A strong,
dominant dog is great if you are very active, have
strong presence, and enjoy challenging yourself and your
dog physically and mentally (obedience competitions,
rescue work, agility competitions, etc.) A calmer, less
dominant dog may be a better choice for less active
families, especially if they have small children. A less
dominant and assertive dog is easier to be trusted
around small children who may treat him a bit rough in
their play.
Then again, maybe you have your
heart set on rescuing a shelter dog. There are many dogs
in shelters in every town who need a loving home. Taking
one of these dogs and giving them a home is one of the
most satisfying things we can do. But these dogs are in
a shelter for a reason. Some of these dogs have been
surrendered by their owners, who were unable to provide
the dog with proper leadership and discipline and deal
with the resultant behavior of the dog. Just like with
puppies, a rescue dog should be chosen wisely, to ensure
that both dog and human characteristics and needs are
matched properly.
Program Details
This program consists of three parts: the
interview, the recommendation, and (optionally) physical
selection of puppy or dog.
The first part is the interview. I will
come to your home to meet you and your family and discuss your
needs and wants with regard to the dog. I will ask you many
questions regarding your lifestyle and family activities, the
amount of time you can dedicate to the dog, as well as your past
experiences with dogs.
The second part is the recommendation. I
will analyze your answers from the interview and return to you
within a few days with recommendations for breeds that best fit
your family profile. I will provide pictures, written
descriptions, and a list of contacts (breeders, breed clubs,
etc.) for every breed I recommend. I will also provide a list of
requirements that you should communicate to the breeder to
ensure that you get a healthy and well-cared for puppy. If the
family wishes to adopt a shelter dog, I will provide a set of
characteristics that the family should look for in the shelter
dog's behavior.
The third part is optional. If the breeder
of your choice is located within driving distance, I can
accompany you to the breeder, evaluate all of the available
puppies, and help you select the one with the right energy level
for your family. Again, if the family wishes to adopt a shelter
dog, I can go with you to the shelter to help you evaluate the
dog and make sure that your choice matches your family's needs.
Cost
The interview takes approximately two
hours, with the follow-up recommendation session taking
approximately one hour. The cost for both sessions is $180.
Puppy or shelter dog selection costs $50 for each trip.
Please add $20 to each lesson if
one-way travel in excess
of 35 miles from Trumbull, CT is required.
How to Enroll
This is a private service, and can be
scheduled to fit into your schedule. Please
call or email
us to set up an appointment. |
