Training Camp: Picking your Puppy

Sporting Dog Committee Members:
Avery Sporting Dog Specialist: Paul Cupka and Troy Bailey
Dog(s): Various pups
Date: 6/15/06
Products Used:
Avery® Pro-Trainer's Bag, Avery® Dog Collars, Leashes and Leads, Avery® 2" HexaBumpers (White & Flasher)

Factors: Time, patience, time, research, time, and money.

Training Process
To share The Avery® Sporting Dog Committee's tips and suggestions for selecting a new pup and the building of a solid training foundation.

Selection Process
So you're ready to take the plunge and get yourself a puppy? You have made up your mind on what breed, sex, and color you want for your new hunting partner, and you think you are ready to take the next step by adding a well trained, hunting retriever to your life.

Selecting a new hunting companion and family pet is not that easy. To give yourself the best possible chance of purchasing a quality dog that will serve you for many years to come, you must do your homework; and lots of it. While picking a puppy is always somewhat similar to playing the lottery, you can help put the odds of getting a great pup in your favor by spending some time doing research.

A quote you will hear many trainers and handlers say is "paying for paper", which relates to buying the best possible pedigree and health guarantees you can afford. You spare no expense when it comes to your shotgun, boat, truck, and decoys but decide to be stingy when it comes to buying a pup? As with anything in life, you generally get what you pay for.

By talking to fellow hunters, handlers, and trainers they can usually point you in the right direction of finding respectable breeders. Good breeders want to assure that the time and energy they put into advancing the breed of these dogs will not be wasted and that their pups will go to a good home. The breeder will have no problems answering your questions and educating you to the litter as well as their ancestry. They should be more than happy to provide you with pedigree, health guarantees (such as OFA Hips and elbows, eye CERF's and so on) and the ability of the parents.

All puppies should have at least one series of shots including but not limited to, DHLP, worm testing, and Parvo.Typically a 26-month Hip and Eye Guarantee is included due to the fact that dogs can not be accurately evaluated for Hip dysphasia until 24 months of age.

While many owners have tons of ideas of how to pick the perfect pup out of a litter, there really is no proven scientific method to the selection. By that we mean that subjectivity cannot be eliminated and for all the methodology suggested by some people, the best way is for you to spend some time with the litter and find a dog you like based on their behavior and overall attitude.

A few things to remember when picking your pup
Do not be in a hurry. Do your homework and find a reputable breeder. Over 60% of puppies sold are from people who have never had a litter or never plan on having another. Many more are from "farms" that sell numerous litters for the sole purpose of profit. A great breeder has the intent of bettering the breed, not just making money. There are national breed clubs across the country and plenty of information available on these breeders, so take the time to find the right one for you. Some breeders will have a waiting list, so do not be impatient during the selection process.

Make certain that you have the time to dedicate to your new companion. There are months and months of training needed to get your puppy to be a nice hunting dog that you and any of your friends are proud to hunt with. Buying "paper" doesn't translate into not having to do the work. Learn all you can by attending tests and trials, or joining/volunteering at a retriever clubs and organizations.

Be sure your paperwork from the purchase is detailed. Health Guarantees, Pedigrees, and vaccination records all need to be covered in your purchase.

Let the puppy be a puppy. However, you will need to introduce it to his/her new home and life away from their mother and littermates. House training, crate training, and simple obedience, is all they need in the next few months.

A crate and crate training is part of giving your puppy a home. A quality chew-proof crate that has enough room for the dog to stand up, and lay down in is usually the best choice. When your pup is small, you may want to block some of the crate off as to not give it an area to "mess" in and then go sleep at the other end. The crate is a safe haven for the dog, where it can rest and is comfortable. A crate will assist in housetraining, getting the pup used to being alone, traveling and other invaluable steps in the raising of a pup.

• Letting the puppy be a puppy means: keep their interest in retrieving and make it fun. Throwing a couple bumpers and keep it a game, always leaving the puppy wanting more. Overdoing it may cause the puppy to lose interest. It is not a time to be concerned with training the dog to retrieve. Growing the puppy's interest in the early months is important, but save the actual training for later.

Introduce it to loud noises and let it know that it is alright. Bring the puppy to retriever events or gun clubs. If it is shy at first, don't push it. Work into things slowly.

• Learn all you can about training your dog. Internet Message Board's, books, videos and seminars provide an abundance of information that you will need in the near future.

Conclusion
Whether you are looking for a "meat dog" or a hunting retriever to perform in the field and on testing grounds, it all starts with picking the right puppy. Taking your time and doing the work to find a puppy will be something you will thank yourself for in the future.

We appreciate your interest in Avery and the Sporting Dog Committee. These tips are provided to help hunters select, train and enjoy their dogs, while making them and you the best possible team you can be. While we can not possibly turn over every stone, we hope that you will join us in conversation about our Training Tips. We do not claim to know it all, and look forward to input from other owners and handlers from across the country.

Thank you for allowing us to promote great hunting dogs worldwide. We hope you join us next month for a tip on Basic Obedience.

Avery Sporting Dog Specialists