Tuesday Training Byte: Owner knowledge is key

With the internet, there is a lot of information out there available for prospective and current dog owners. Being informed will help you avoid getting taken advantage of by unscrupulous breeders. The American Kennel Club has a great breed information and comparison tool to help you pick the best breed for your lifestyle. This will help you know if the breeder is telling the truth or just selling you a lie to get your money. For example, Golden Retrievers only come in three colors (dark golden, medium golden and light golden) and there is NO English Cream! Another example is any dog advertised as "tea cup". There is no such thing in the more than 200 breeds registered with the American Kennel Club, and a tea cup is merely a runt. But back to training- this tool has information on trainability, adaptability, protection ability, and so forth. Certain breeds and types of dogs are more challenging to train than others. I prefer a breed that is somewhat high in trainability without having very high energy and mental stimulation needs. This tool can be accessed here and be sure to select "All Traits" after you select your breed(s). https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/

If you plan to train your dog to be a therapy dog to go on visits, it is helpful to know if the breed you want has the proper temperament. This information is also available on the AKC website. In addition, ask to breeder if the parents have passed their ATT temperament test or Canine Good Citizen test. Another question to ask the breeder is if they have conducted the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test on the pups. Ask for the results on the pup you are interested in getting.

Another tool I use frequently is the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals database. Here i can look up health issues and ranks by breed. For instance, by searching the breed statistics for a Pug, I found that that Pugs are the 2nd most frequent breed to have hip dysplasia. If I want a dog to do agility or barn hunt, I want to avoid joint problems. Both the parents and grandparents ideally should be certified free of this problem. The reputable breeder with have a certificate from OFA showing their rating on this and other health issues in the breed. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a very high report of cardiac problems. Even if you just want a pet, doing your research ahead of time can save you vet bills and heartache later. If a dog has had all required testing for its breed posted on the OFA site, that dog will be listed as CHIC. This database is www.ofa.org The first picture shows the homepage of OFA and there is an area specifically for potential owners at the bottom right, although you can look up individual dogs.

Regardless if you only want a healthy and obedient pet, having this information in advance can prevent a lot of headache and heartache down the road. Reputable breeders will have the certifications to show you and will be willing to support/mentor you throughout the pup's life. Forewarned is forearmed. On the dog below, you will notice the CHIC emblem next to his registered name, and below are his rating on all of his health clearances.