We are adopting a new pup in about 10 days. A good friend found him for us at a dog show and she is helping get him for us. But here's my problem, she is treating this pup as her own. I've had nine pups in my life, and raised all of them to adulthood and beyond. I do know something about raising dogs. Now the breeders that introduced her to the one that is giving us the dog, are calling with ideas on how to raise the puppy. They aren't just ideas, they are like edicts. Too many mothers. I don't know how to tell my friend to back off, and let me raise this pup, let my family love and care for him. Any ideas?

Your situation aside:

At their best, breeders can offer sound breed-specific advice.

With Shetland Sheepdogs, one brand of heartworm prevention pill is considered to be the gold standard, and another brand sometimes causes adverse reactions in that breed.

One idiot-relative used a harsh "training through intimidation" with his Lab. If he tried that BS with a Shetland Sheepdog, the dog would be a dysfunctional mess.

At their worst, some breeders...

I won't go into that, but as the saying goes, "at dog shows, not all of the bitches are in the ring".

Denise, do you get the "Dog Whisperer" on your discovery channel? If not, check out some of his books in the library, Ceasar is a dog owner's therapist for dogs. I have learned so much from his program and books about training Cobi, who was an abused puppy, and now how to walk him so he doesn't pull at me...and rip my arm off. Beagles and hounds are pretty strong little guys! Check him out, I love him...and his show if you can get it, is very interesting and informative along with being entertaining.

Best of luck with Barney's walking....they say people with dogs are healthier, because the dogs make us walk them...what better trainers can you have?

quote:

Originally posted by SheriaVa:
He was wanting to drag me to and fro so he could sniff everything.

We say, in our family, that beagles/hounds have one neuron that fires... and it is the smelling one.

Barney pulled very bad... but if we walked him on the same exact route every day for 3-4 days in a row... the pulling stopped as he had everything smelled and marked.

Thanks, and exactly what I have been doing, but you know it grates on you after awhile. The gal that found Casie for us, is a very good friend, but when she puts her breeder hat on, she turns into Carilla Deville about dogs. GRRRRRR

If I can figure out how to post the pic I will, cause he's a cutie. Looks about like our RIP chipper, which was tough at first, but then I had to realize that Chip was Chip and Casie will be Casie. Now I just have to worry about Cobi, our baby soon to be Big Bro' and Casie getting along.

As far as your rottie/beagle/mix....many people think that because they have long ears, howl, and long tails they are beagles. We've gone to the Humane Society in our area after being called about a beagle and found the same thing...it ain't no beagle. But we smile, take the pup for a walk, pet and cuddle him/her and then take him/her back. Sad so many of the
dogs there are big ones, rotties, pit bulls, retreivers, etc., but some people can just be so cruel to have pups or dogs and then abandon them. (

Cathy: This reminds me to tell you that I thought of you when I was at the SPCA the other day because you are a beagle owner.

I took what they said was a beagle mix, Fuzzy Bear, out on the leash on the grounds for a walk. He didn't look at all like a beagle to me. He was black with the tan markings over his eyes like Rottweilers have but he was little--more the size of a beagle than a Rottie. They think he is right about a year old. He was VERY energetic. He was wanting to drag me to and fro so he could sniff everything. I decided he wasn't for me, but it was nice to spend a little time with a dog.

FWIW, I agree with the others that you just smile and nod at the breeders, etc., and do what you feel is best for the pup. And I also ditto the request for pix when you get him!

I believe some of this behavior from breeders may come from negative past experiences. I'm sure that they have had, more than once, people who buy puppies, only to have them returned because the family could not care for them properly. If they don't know you well, they don't know how well you will care for the animal. This may just be standard procedure to be sure that the family adopting the puppy is well prepared for what lies ahead. So many people adopt puppies, cats, etc. and then realize after the fact how much work, time, and money go into caring for them.

I wouldn't take it personally and agree with Judy and Sandy. Just listen to what they have to say, say ok, and do your thing.

Please post some pics of the new baby when he arrives!

Jill

quote:

Originally posted by BrenauMom:


You just smile, say "Ok" and do your own thing

Yup.

We buy pure bread cats from breaders who are VERY particular and want to dictate how and when we do certain things. We smile when we are with them and agree to what they say and then come home and raise them as we see fit.

Focus on the postive- no need to get stuck in their input. They are saying/doing what they think is best- it just moght not work for you and your situation.

Just smile, say "Ok" and raise him the way you want to. It is just like your mil or your old maid aunt telling you how to raise your kids.

You just smile, say "Ok" and do your own thing