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FINAL ISSUES

NONE of the following information is a recommendation for a particular plans, policy, business, product(s) or person(s) so listed below. The information is listed for your future review and personal decision whether to use said service.

PET HEALTH INSURANCE

Back in 1981, they were just coming out with health insurance for dogs and it was not an acceptable option. I have never purchased health insurance for my pets. PLEASE know that I am NOT recommending ANY of these insurance plans, or pet health insurance in general.

PET IDENTIFICATION

There are microchips, collars, tags and tattoos available, often through your local veterinarian or animal shelter. I heard but have not verified because it will be different depending on where you live, that one of the problems with microchips is the follow through by the owner to register the dog with appropriate authorities. I would assume that should you make this investment you would want to check with your animal shelter as well as with different vets to determine the reliability of recovery of lost pet. Such that, if a lost dog is recovered or impounded do the local authorities have the equipment to scan for the type of chips which are being implanted, etc.

PURCHASING A PUPPY IN THE FIRST PLACE

Puppy's are work. Adult dogs can be easier. Are the rewards the same .........maybe but I'm not you. Experienced dog handlers who get their first puppy often wonder why they ever thought they wanted to raise a puppy in the first place. Having gotten so far with an adult dog, it is always a big rewind to go back to baby steps and there is SO MUCH to do.

An a puppy is a long term commitment, sometimes ten years or more. An expense, can't forget the expense, it may be just 500 - 700 to start with but it can easily be $2000 by the end of the year. One thing should remain crystal clear and foremost on your mind, when you decide you want to purchase the puppy. You DO need the best possible working puppy prospect. Not the cutest one, or the biggest but the BEST. You are going to be spending a lot of time, travel and expense in food, vet, toys, kennels and damaged goods to train this puppy. Do NOT buy on a notion, looks but what will work, not what might work.

Test it or don't take it. But don't take it if you haven't tested it.

PUPPY GUARANTEE

The guarantee is only as good as the breeder. What issues/problems will the breeder stand behind if/when they occur? If the breeder tells you that nothing ever happens, it will all turn out fine, I would reconsider. If you read any books by breeders, they will tell you it really isn't a money making business because lots of things happen that often were not preventable.

I am going to assume that you will enter into a contract from the breeder. Some breeders sell puppies as either 'pets', 'show quality' or 'working quality'. Puppies usually sold as 'pets' will be cheaper but of course cheaper isn't what you are looking for. 'Show quality' refers to the show ring, which isn't what you are going to do either. As to working quality, the breeder may use another term but basically they believe the dog is capable of service work and not just a pet that lays around to entertain the family.

There may be stipulation on the breeding rights as to whether the purchaser or breeder or both have them or under what conditions they may be exercised. You will want to what, if any conditions must be met before the dog can be bred, such as competition titles or age requirements.

You would like a written health guarantee so that both you and breeder have an understanding. You will want to know what the breeder is willing to do.

If the puppy becomes ill within what period time after it leaves from the breeder. Two days or two weeks.
What type of refund will the breeder offer if the puppy comes up with hip or elbow dysplasia?
What type of refund will the breeder offer if the puppy contracts a disease or ailment known to the breed?

For example, distemper, is a disease which may not show any symptoms for two or three weeks. In most cases, the puppies should already have its first set of shots before you take it, that is assuming you take the puppy at eight weeks. Some breeds are known to be afflected with specific diseases, which are not common to other breeds.

Lastly, you will want to know how, when or where you are getting the registration papers for your puppy. This can be an interesting circumstance because you are relying on the breeders reputation to get the papers to you. You should receive the papers at the time you pick up the puppy but this does not always happen.

The issue about finding a reliable breeders is not easy. I have been lucky. If you are an experienced handler/trainer then you already understand the risk. If you are new, always have an experienced person with you, not only to test the puppy but to have someone available who will know what to look for or to walk away from. I will say, at the very least, you would like to see both but at least one of the parents. An you would like to see that the kennel area is clean and well kept.

AIRLINE SAFETY

I can tell you that it is improving. At one time, it was not good. Be sure to investigate the procedure yourself because some airlines may restrict which breeds they will transport and what ages. You certainly want to avoid the peak travel season and any place or time period of warm weather. Extreme heat, should be out of the question. Each airlines has different rules they go by and some will not ship during certain date or temperatures. The good news is, small breeds and SAR K9 dogs may be able to travel with you on the airlines but it depends on the airlines and NEVER show up without knowing.

See these websites for traveling with your pet

PUPPIES and CATS

This is simply. Dogs hate Cats. Cats hate Dogs. End of Story. I could leave it at that bu........t there are a few exceptions. If the puppy and cat are raised together, maybe. Just remember a cat has a low tolerance for problems. It jumps out of the way if there is anything stressful or runs off. Puppies are full of energy, cats don't like things that are full of energy. A slow introduction is an understatement.

PUPPIES and BABIES

Every year babies are bitten by dogs and puppies who really didn't mean any harm. Trust me. Do not leave either one of them alone together. EVER. The baby has no concept of what it is doing and it has little hands that can grip a tuff of fur with some pain added. Remember what the baby is like when they grab YOUR hair and don't let go.

DOG TOYS

This one is simple. Don't go overboard. I now have a lab. Want to know what his favorite toy is?..............ANYTHING. He doesn't need a ten dollar ball, he really loves, empty one liter pepsi bottles. Why? Because he can push them along the tile floor and they move on their own.

PET NAMES

You might be saying, now why, of all things would I even mention pet names. Hey! its the last thing on the list. I only want to mention, take a little time before you name the puppy. I am just suggesting you don't name it something that could be used against you in court, like, DEMON, KILLER, CRUSHER.

FEEDING. I haven't mentioned anything on feeding because it is a subject I hope to add later. It has come up whether self-feeding or scheduled feedings are better. Puppies will eat everything they can get and self-feeding will only get them fat. When they are older, it will really depend on their metabolism and the amount of the activity they routinely engage in. Let me stress, that exercise in the backyard is NOT to be consider regular exercise, unless you are out there actually working the dog.

Puppies needed multiple scheduled feeding. When the reach one year, it is better if you split their daily ration into two meals rather then just one meal a day but that is not always possible. None of my dogs get fat from self-feeding unless they are let in the kennel without being trained for long periods, which happened when I was gone for an extended period.

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