So why another blog? I'm not a writer. I don't particularly care what others feel about my experience or opinion and rarely feel the need to "shout from the rooftops." However my experience in first time dog-parenting has been one of the single most challenging and rewarding experiences I've had yet and it's only just beginning! I found that when it comes to dogs EVERYONE has a story, an opinion, a theory and it's all so confusing and downright maddening. Who's right? What's right for YOU and YOUR dog? What's gonna "spoil" your pup and what's gonna result in a cooperative, well adjusted adult dog?
I want to be clear... I am not an animal behaviorist although, through my experience and wading through the MOUNDS of research and training methods available today I am strongly considering pursuing that title. Suffice to say for the time being I'm just a first time dog parent and animal advocate and through my experience hope that I will be able to help others that are or were in my position- confused and bewildered.
December 2009 I decided I wanted a dog... I had broken up with my last boyfriend in September and had decided that I'd really like a dog- a puppy to be precise. My grandparents had dogs that I loved but I never really had. I've been an informal animal rescuer for most of my life. Any time an injured, sick, or wayward animal found it's way into my parents home or mine (as an adult) they were well taken care of, treated and either kept permanently or until a suitable home was found. Everything from iguanas to cats to birds and even a sugar glider once!
I had a young cat that I had rescued about a year and a half prior and I figured it would be a good time to get a puppy while she's young enough to adapt to him. I wanted a medium sized, intelligent shepherd. I'd always liked Australian Shepherds, so I figured I'd find one of those. Here was my plan... I would become a puppy and dog expert. Anyone that knows me knows that I believe in knowing how to properly care for ANY animal that I choose to have. I never make do with the advice of well meaning pet store employees alone. I ALWAYS research and dig deeper to get the real info. When I chose to rescue my 1st iguana I became an iguana expert and could still tell you the exact proper calcium to phosphorous ratio, humidity requirements and temperature gradient needed for optimal iguana health. My dog would be no different. I decided that I would have a well behaved dog. I'd do everything right. There'd be none of that jumping on people or pulling at the leash or any of THAT nonsense that I see other dogs doing all the time. Mine would be a respectful, courteous member of my family. I would not be a simpering, foo-foo dog person that bought their dog all sorts of nonsensical human items and treated their dog like a human child. I wouldn't be caught dead in a "doggy boutique." That was the plan.
So started my dog journey. I went to the internet and to Barnes and Noble and got everything I could find on raising a puppy. I started with Puppy's First Steps and Ian Dunbar's Before and After You Get Your Puppy. Then came the training plan. Do a google search for "dog training" and you'll soon be overwhelmed. I was utterly inundated with "positive reinforcement" and "correction training" and ahhh... the "pack theory dominance based training"! There were "puppy boot camps" and pinch collars and "electric stimulation" collars and it wasn't long before I was COMPLETELY overwhelmed and I hadn't even found a puppy yet!
I can't remember how I came across Karen Pryor. Perhaps during my internet research. She makes a GREAT dvd called Clicker Puppy and an even greater book called Don't Shoot the Dog! As an animal behaviorist she presented the most logical argument for positive reinforcement that I could process at the time. I decided to go with positive reinforcement. I interviewed trainer after trainer and finally settled on John's Natural Dog Training (note: if you don't read any more of this blog, know that I didn't go THROUGH with John's Natural Dog Training for VERY important reasons so please don't take that as an endorsement for them!) They seemed to have the most comprehensive yet affordable rates.
Now that I was well versed in all things puppy, knew the developmental stages and had a trainer in place it was time to find the puppy! I looked into different breeders but I'm a rescuer. There are many fine breeders out there but in my heart I knew that if I could rescue a pup and perhaps save a life then I would. In my next post I'll share with you how I came to find Valentino. In the meantime, if you're considering getting a dog or a puppy, I HIGHLY recommend doing an internet search for Karen Pryor and reading up on her advice.
