After a lot of thought, you have decided it is time to add a new furry member to your family.You have researched dog breeds to find one that fits your lifestyle, and you have found a reliable breeder with a litter of pups.Picking the right pup among the litter is the final step in finding the dog for you.There isn't a perfect puppy test to find the pick of the litter.Look for the right dog for you and your family.
Step 1: If you want a puppy, buy it from a breeder.
Buying a pup in a pet store window can be risky, even though it may be tempting.Puppies are usually on their own in a small glass cage.You will not be able to see how the pup interacts with his litter mates.It will be difficult to assess the pup's personality.Most puppies at pet stores are too young to learn how to act from their mother or their litter mates.A pup that is born at five or six weeks and is shipped to a pet store will have no guidance from their mother or a good breeder.Without this guidance, there is a good chance that the pup will become fearful or aggressive.Puppies sold in pet shops are usually born in puppy mills, where the adult dogs stay in cages all their lives.And in terrible conditions.If you want to end horrible practices, don't buy those puppies.
Step 2: After the pups have been born, set up a visit with the breeder.
The first half of the litter should not be picked from a litter where puppies have already been sold.If you want the best pups to sell first, you should visit the breeder right after the litter has been born.The best time to visit the pups is when they are 7 to 8 weeks old.You can bring the most practical member of the family with you.It is a big life decision to have someone evaluate the pups with you.Keep in touch with the breeder before the pups are born.You should keep in touch with the breeder to find out how the mother is doing and when the litter will be born.
Step 3: Don't buy puppies from the first litter.
Ask which litter this is for the mother of the pups.You want to buy a pup from the same stud as the bitch.The mother will be able to produce healthy pups with the same father.Your pup's health and personality will be affected by the mother of the pup.A weak litter is likely to be produced by a poor bitch.It's important to spend time with the mother of the pups before the litter is born and talk to the breeder about her health.
Step 4: Discuss the health of the litter.
A good breeder knows about the health of the litter.The health of the mother pup should be taken care of by the breeder.You should be able to interact with the mother pup and the litter during your visit.You should have a good relationship with the breeder if you spend time at their facility.She can help you narrow down your choices.The puppies have been watched by the breeder.She will know which pups are dominant and which ones are shy.Ask for the breeder's opinion about the litter during your visit.Make sure you do your own checks on the puppies to make sure they are healthy.
Step 5: The litter should be observed as a whole.
The pups are interacting with each other.While you want an active, playful pup, you also want to avoid one that is dominant with his littermates or shy with them.Puppies should be friendly, curious, and trusting around their litter mates.They should crawl into your lap and stare at you.They may even start wrestling with each other.You may not find the right puppy in this litter if there are four puppies and three of them run away or bark suspiciously.The fourth puppy may be too shy.When the pup is an adult, shyness and distrust could lead to an anti-social personality.The puppies are shy or aggressive.If the puppies are too shy or aggressive, this may be a sign that the breeder didn't do a good job of breeding them.Puppies should be socialized so they are comfortable around people.Buy the smallest puppy in the litter.The more puppies in the litter, the healthier they will be.
Step 6: Which puppy personality type is right for you?
Consider the type of dog you want.Are you and your family interested in a dog?Discuss the personality types with the breeder.The bully pup may seem very social and interactive at first.She can play rough or steal toys from other puppies.She may attempt to scale the enclosure or climb on the backs of her litter mates.These are signs of determination, smarts, and will power, but the bully personality may not fit your home life.You will need a lot of time to take care of this puppy.If you have other demands on your time or a lot of stress in your home life, the bully pup may not be for you.This type of dog is fun-loving and engaging.They are more sensitive and less aggressive than a bully pup.The pups will be personable.A family with older children is a good match for them.The Independent Thinker is a type of dog that is interactive and playful, but also happy sitting or playing with a toy on their own.These pups are a good match for a home that is calm and stable.The eager to please pup may seem obvious.Who doesn't want an eager and excited pup?To please pups, you will need to be a direct and firm owner.This personality type requires a lot of training and reinforcement.A dog that is eager to please can show you full cooperation.The pups are great for a family.The relaxed pup is less intelligent than their siblings, but they will balance play, interaction and sleep well.They are a great fit for easy going owners.If you want to complement a home environment with young kids, go for a relaxed pup.The Timid pup is not born with a strong sense of self.They may arch their back in total submission.You could be sucked in by the timid nature of these pups.A timid pup will need a lot of time and patience to get comfortable with others.They are more suited for single owners with lots of time for training and attention than a family with children.The breed of the dog can affect their personality and type.Discuss the pups personality with the breeder to get a better idea of how their breed meshes with their personality.
Step 7: There are individual pups in the litter.
It is important to find a pup that is not too shy.Most families do best with a dog who is not bossy or submissive.There is a good-natured, middle of the road pup who doesn't growl or bite.You want a pup who is confident and happy to be with you and your family.Don't try to convince yourself that you can bring a puppy out of his shell.A shy pup will grow into a shy adult if shyness is hardwired into his genes.A shy adult dog may be difficult to live with and may even snap at you.
Step 8: You have to interact with the pups one by one.
Ask the breeder if you can interact with them one by one after narrowing your search to a few pups you like.Pick up each puppy and cradle him.This is not a good sign if he reacts by wiggling.A dog who is shy about being picked up may have behavioral issues.Looking at you is a better sign after a small struggle.Pick up the puppy is a good trick.It is a great sign if it rolls over immediately.The puppies will react if you touch their paws, mouth, and ears.A puppy who has been handled from an early age won't mind you touching them.Call the puppy from the ground.To get the puppy's attention, snap your fingers or pat the ground.He may have a strong attachment to people if he comes to you quickly.
Step 9: Take a look at each puppy.
They should be round and not fat.Greyhounds and Whippets are small pups until they are about four months of age.
Step 10: Look at the pups' eyes, ears, gums, teeth, and rear end.
A healthy puppy should have clear, bright eyes.They should have clean teeth and ears.The pups should have bright shiny coats and no sign of dirt or debris on their bodies.There shouldn't be anything around their genital area.
Step 11: A hearing and a vision test are needed.
Once you have narrowed down your search to one or two pups, you should run two tests on them to make sure they are sound.To run a hearing test, clap your hands behind the pup's head.Drop a set of keys near them or stamp your feet behind them.It is difficult to pick a puppy with deafness out of a crowded pen.Try to run this test when the pup is alone or away from the litter.To run a vision test, roll a ball within the pup's field and see if he reacts to it by playing with it.
Step 12: The pups are breathing and moving.
A healthy dog will not cough or sneeze a lot.There should be no discharge around the pup's nostrils.It is important to check that the pup is walking and running normally.It is important that they do not have hip or joint issues when they grow up.
Step 13: The pup has jaw control.
Allow the puppy to mouth your hands.When the puppy nips him, respond with a high-pitched "Ouch!"You may need to repeat this test if the pup is excited.He will react with fear or concern if he catches on to your pain response.Don't be too concerned if the pup stops nipping and then returns to chewing on your fingers.This is normal for a pup.Adults with good control over their jaws are more likely to develop into pups who respond appropriately to pain.Your dog can get into fights with another dog if it has good jaw control.They are more gentle when taking food from people's hands or playing with people.The puppy who responds to your pain will be more obedient to you.
Step 14: After you bring your new dog home, take him to the vet.
Bring a copy of the pup's vaccination and worming record as well as any other medical records.These should be provided by the breeder before you buy the pup.Discuss puppy care with the vet.
Step 15: You should keep your puppy at home until he is 16 weeks old.
Puppies get their immunity to disease from their mothers, but as the pup grows, there is a gap in immunity until he gets all this shots and vaccines.Limit your puppy's exposure to the vet until he is 16 weeks old to keep him healthy.