Thursday, April 9, 2009
Training Tip - Picking the right pup
Ok, you found a breeder and a breeding that you have carefully selected for getting a new Boykin Spaniel Puppy from. That is the critical part, now comes the easy part, or so I say. Actually, that is the most important part, the genetics. Just because someone has a breeding pair of dogs, does not mean they will produce a pup with the hunting traits and temperment that you desire, so make this choice wisely.
Many Boykin Spaniel breeders that whelp and raise their litters in their home keep track of the temperments and traits of each of the puppies. Some puppies are more submissive while others are more dominant. Both can make equally as good a hunter, but from a training perspective, each has it's downside, but I will save that for a different article. These breeders also place puppies versus letting the new owners pick. They have taken the time to get to know the new owners through conversations by phone and email. The Boykin Spaniel breeder has asked questions and has a fairly good understanding of their experience with dogs. There are many first time dog owners out there buying their first dog, hoping to produce a top hunting and family companion with no experience. Then there are those that have owned dogs before, but never a retriever, much less made an attempt at training.
It is for these two that the breeder and his/her knowledge and time spent with the litter is a valuable resource. Even if you do get to select your own pup from the litter, they can guide you to the one best suited for you. If a litter is brought out and you are left to pick, you never know which one just woke up from a nap, or needs to go to the bathroom. Anything that may camoflauge their temperment.
There are people that take bird wings to see which one is the best retriever or is the birdiest. These traits and abilities are not yet developed in a pup of 8 weeks. While a pups eyes are open, everything they see is still a bit fuzzy so marking a wing, bumper, or ball even at a few feet is somewhat limited. Especially with the distraction of all the other littermates and people around.
Now which of these pups is going to make the best retriever in the group. That is hard and downright impossible to know at this stage of the game. First, they are still too young to tell but also they have too much ahead of them that will shape and mold them into what they will be as an adult. It is more about what you do or do not do in the next few months that will shape all of these traits and behaviors with the pup. While there will be a pup here are there that at 8 weeks old, might stand out above the crowd. This is like taking a group of 2 year old kids and picking out which one will be the next Albert Einstein. One thing to note, regardless of the breeding, every dog in a litter is not going to perform or turn out as an adult the same, even if raised in the exact same manner and environment. My brother and I have the same parents, yet we are as different as day and night. In school, alot of subjects such as algebra and chemistry were almost second nature to him. Performing equations were effortless for him. I struggled in both of these subjects.
So in closing, remember, selecting the breeder and the breeding far outweighs which pup to pick. Once you have your pup, it is now all on your shoulders as to how pup turns out. If you are wise, and follow the "Raising Pup" guidelines, chances are you will have a fine companion and hunter, if you do not follow the guidelines, allow pup to run amuck and just spend his days "being a pup", then be sure and do not set your sights too high.
Many Boykin Spaniel breeders that whelp and raise their litters in their home keep track of the temperments and traits of each of the puppies. Some puppies are more submissive while others are more dominant. Both can make equally as good a hunter, but from a training perspective, each has it's downside, but I will save that for a different article. These breeders also place puppies versus letting the new owners pick. They have taken the time to get to know the new owners through conversations by phone and email. The Boykin Spaniel breeder has asked questions and has a fairly good understanding of their experience with dogs. There are many first time dog owners out there buying their first dog, hoping to produce a top hunting and family companion with no experience. Then there are those that have owned dogs before, but never a retriever, much less made an attempt at training.
It is for these two that the breeder and his/her knowledge and time spent with the litter is a valuable resource. Even if you do get to select your own pup from the litter, they can guide you to the one best suited for you. If a litter is brought out and you are left to pick, you never know which one just woke up from a nap, or needs to go to the bathroom. Anything that may camoflauge their temperment.
There are people that take bird wings to see which one is the best retriever or is the birdiest. These traits and abilities are not yet developed in a pup of 8 weeks. While a pups eyes are open, everything they see is still a bit fuzzy so marking a wing, bumper, or ball even at a few feet is somewhat limited. Especially with the distraction of all the other littermates and people around.
Now which of these pups is going to make the best retriever in the group. That is hard and downright impossible to know at this stage of the game. First, they are still too young to tell but also they have too much ahead of them that will shape and mold them into what they will be as an adult. It is more about what you do or do not do in the next few months that will shape all of these traits and behaviors with the pup. While there will be a pup here are there that at 8 weeks old, might stand out above the crowd. This is like taking a group of 2 year old kids and picking out which one will be the next Albert Einstein. One thing to note, regardless of the breeding, every dog in a litter is not going to perform or turn out as an adult the same, even if raised in the exact same manner and environment. My brother and I have the same parents, yet we are as different as day and night. In school, alot of subjects such as algebra and chemistry were almost second nature to him. Performing equations were effortless for him. I struggled in both of these subjects.
So in closing, remember, selecting the breeder and the breeding far outweighs which pup to pick. Once you have your pup, it is now all on your shoulders as to how pup turns out. If you are wise, and follow the "Raising Pup" guidelines, chances are you will have a fine companion and hunter, if you do not follow the guidelines, allow pup to run amuck and just spend his days "being a pup", then be sure and do not set your sights too high.
# posted by Clay Black @ 6:01 AM 
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
