The day has come and you have decided you or your family want to get a puppy. Filled with emotion and excitement, you decide to take the first step. But what is the first step? Or more accurately, what is the correct first step? Here are three things to consider:

Choosing the right breed

When choosing the best fit for your home, consider the dog and the life it will be living. Often we try to fit a square peg in a round hole, but why? My recommendation is to do plenty of research on the breeds you have in mind. Look at the jobs the dog was bred for historically. For example, heelers have been bred to push large aggressive livestock with no regard for their own safety. Likewise, the famous Belgian Malinois is valued by police departments and militaries for its strength, stamina and most importantly protection. A Belgian is one of the hardest dogs to manage with the nickname “malagator.” It would be extremely inappropriate to get this dog if you did not plan on fulfilling these needs.

Finding a reputable breeder

These are my must-haves when it comes to finding the right breeder. If they are missing any of the following, simply put, choose a different breeder.

• Are both the mother and father dog at least 2 years old?

• Has the breeder done health and genetic testing? If so, are they willing to share the results?

• Has the breeder had radiographs of both parents hips and elbows? Are they willing to share the results?

• Will the breeder let you come meet both mother and father dog?

• Will the breeder let you come see the puppies?

• Does the breeder have a clear socialization program they are following? Can they provide proof?

Dedicating 20 weeks to actively socializing a puppy

As we start to understand dog behavior, it has become abundantly clear how important the first 20 weeks of our puppies’ lives are. The first 20 weeks are critical for development and building the foundation for training and communication. Socialization is not about simple exposure, but making exposure fun and positive. Your ultimate goal is for your puppy to have positive learning experiences with a variety of stimuli. Avoid traumatic experiences and expose your puppy at a safe, comfortable distance that does not elicit fear.

At Black Sheep Canine LLC we offer puppy classes, socialization groups and dog training to help set your puppy up for success. It is recommended that you sign your puppy up as soon as 8 weeks old and no later than 24 weeks.

To get help training, learn more about puppy classes, or navigate the process of finding the right puppy, please reach out at Info@blacksheepk9.com or at 307-250-2560.