Harmony Forum

There are many options for finding the next furry friend to add to your family, and finding the right dog should be a decision that is not taken lightly. The options of rescue, adoption, and purchase can all be considered. If you choose to go with a breeder, you of course want to be sure that they are reputable breeders who do everything they can to give their puppies the best start. Why a Breeder? Rescue and adoption are fantastic choices that work for many people, but are not options for everyone. Typically breeders of purebred dogs are chosen when the puppy buyer is looking for a very specific kind of dog. Responsibly bred purebred dogs have an increased level of trait predictability. Breeds were created for a purpose, and their temperament, size, behavior, instinct, and drive/motivation are all hardwired into their backgrounds. When responsible breeders select for these traits, they are increasing the likelihood that the puppies they produce will show similar characteristics. This added predictability is beneficial if you have specific needs, such as lifestyle choices, children, and other pets. As a puppy buyer, it is your responsibility to research breeds and understand their histories and standard characteristics. You should be looking beyond aesthetics and focusing on what type of dog is best aligned with your lifestyle. It is possible to raise a happy herding dog in an apartment in the city, but it will take a lot of extra effort and time to make sure its mental and physical needs are fulfilled. Set yourself up for a lifetime of success by selecting a breed that matches your activity level, climate, housing situation, and level of training commitment. 10 Tips For Picking a Great Breeder Allows You To Visit. The best way to get to know someone is typically to meet them in person. While this might not be a possibility during Covid-19, most breeders still offer video-conference tours of their facility and will offer to meet you in person—with social distancing, of course. When you visit a breeder, observe their facilities as well as their dogs and their relationship. Is the premises clean and safe? Is it overcrowded? Do the dogs seem to be in good condition? How do the dogs react to the breeder, and how do they react to strangers? When you meet the parents of your potential puppy, their behavior will give you a good indication of the temperament you can expect from the litter. There’s no better way to get a sense for what your puppy will become than by interacting with its parents! Passes a “Background Check.” The internet and social media has made it very easy to research breeders. Consider joining breed-specific Facebook groups and searching for the breeder name or kennel name. Read through posts about the breeder and the puppies they’ve produced. Look for them online and be thorough in your research. Are there more negative than positive experiences posted? Are you unable to find anything about the breeder or their kennel outside of their website? Many puppy mills invest a lot into their online presence, and a quality website does not always mean a quality breeder. Look for personal experiences, and personal recommendations from people within the breed. Most purebred dog breeders will also be members in good standing with the “Parent Club” of their breed. For example, a Golden Retriever breeder will likely be a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America. When in doubt, search for the parent club (Search Breed Name + American Club) and review their website for suggestions on finding a good breeder, breeders of merit, and a breeder directory. Contact the secretary of the club directly with specific questions. Interviews YOU in Return. A reputable breeder will not allow you to purchase a puppy from them without vetting you as a buyer. Expect to be interviewed in return! A good breeder will want to know the kind of home their puppy will be going to. They’ll want to be sure that you can provide the puppy with everything that it needs, and that you are prepared to give the puppy a forever home. Some breeders will be very specific about the homes they allow their puppies to go to. Will Not Sell Online. As a reputable breeder will want to get to know you first, they will never allow you to purchase a puppy completely online. If you can add a puppy to your checkout basket and pay for all of it online—sight unseen—it is unlikely you’re supporting a reputable breeder. Good breeders do not always have good websites. Many have been involved in dogs their entire lives and are not particularly tech-savvy. Avoid breeders who treat the purchase of a puppy as a transaction without conversation, questions, and thorough vetting. Understands Socialization. The primary reason many decide to go with a breeder is to be sure that they’re getting a puppy who has the potential to be their ideal dog. Once you’ve decided on a breed that is aligned with your lifestyle, you want to be sure you’re getting a puppy that is prepared to be the best version of itself. Early socialization is a critical part of the puppy’s development. The critical socialization period occurs roughly between 3 and 16 weeks. During these critical weeks, puppies are constantly gaining information about the world around them and are building associations that can last a lifetime. The puppy’s breeder, as well as the puppy’s mother and littermates, will play an important role in socialization. This socialization is achieved by allowing the puppy to stay with its litter for an appropriate amount of time, and by the breeder working diligently to safely socialize puppies to the experiences they need to get a great foundation. These experiences include: - Early Neurological Stimulation. - Safe Early Socialization. - Early Basic Crate and Potty Training. - Enrichment, Problem Solving, and Handler Focus. There are many programs and protocols that breeders follow to achieve these early puppy socialization goals. Puppy Culture is a popular protocol that breeders use to make sure that they address the socialization needs of the puppy at every stage of growth. A good breeder should be able to describe the protocols they follow to you, and simply saying they follow Puppy Culture or a similar program is not enough. Ask your potential breeder for specific examples of their puppy-rearing protocols, and how they address breed-specific traits and concerns. If a breeder follows a program like Puppy Culture, ask for specific examples of how and when it’s applied. Socialization doesn't end when the puppy comes home. Programs like Dogs in Harmony's Harmony School are vital for continuing your puppy's education throughout its critical socialization period. Learn More Here! Does Not Breed Too Frequently. If a female dog is bred every heat cycle, they could have as many as 4 litters a year. Whelping a litter takes a physical toll on the mother, and most breeders will not breed every heat cycle so that the mothers have a chance to physically recover and rest after weaning. A breeder producing many litters a year, especially multiple litters from the same mother, is frequently a sign of a puppy mill. Health Tests Their Dogs. Good puppies begin long before the litter is born. Health testing of the parents is a critical part of ensuring that future generations of dogs have the best chances for living happy, healthy lives. Each breed of dog has specific health tests that are suggested by the Parent Club of the breed. A breeds Parent Club has extensive knowledge of the health issues that tend to occur within the breed, and their suggestions for health tests and screening are the minimum health and genetic tests that breeders should be providing. Common tests include: - OFA or PennHIP Hip Dysplasia Evaluation - OFA Elbow Dysplasia Evaluation - Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthamologist - Congenital Cardiac Examinations - Breed-specific genetic tests for common and identified diseases. - Other breed-specific tests. [ Look up your breed here! ] OFA health tests are different than a “health guarantee” or “vet check”. These OFA tests can be verified online through the OFA database . Frequently, a dog suffering from a health condition won’t show symptoms until they’re older. For example, if a veterinarian does not notice signs of Hip Dysplasia in a young dog, it does not mean the dog is free of that condition. These OFA tests are specific evaluations of the common diseases, and go beyond a routine health check. Testing breeding animals for health can help puppy owners avoid the heartache of having their puppy grow up to be affected by these common conditions. If you are purchasing a puppy that is a mix of two breeds, it is important to make sure that the parents have passed the suggested health tests for their breed(s). Provides Documentation. From pedigree to OFA Health Tests, a good breeder will be able to provide documentation that supports their claims about their dogs. With an AKC Registration Number, you can check the [ OFA Database ] to make sure that both parents have passed their suggested health tests. You can also use the AKC Registration number to check the pedigree and background of both parents. A good breeder should unconditionally provide you with the following before purchase: - Sire and Dam AKC Registration Numbers. - Copies of all OFA Health Test Reports. - The specifics of their contract, including any special requirements. - A guarantee that the puppy will pass a health screening by the buyer's veterinarian. All puppies should be evaluated by your vet once you’re home with them. Wants the Dog Back Unconditionally. Responsible breeders stand by their puppies no matter what. A major reason that you are unlikely to find a responsibly bred purebred in animal shelters is that the vast majority of quality breeders will put it in their contract that the puppy should be returned to them if you are unable to continue caring for it. It doesn’t matter if the puppy is 9 months old or 9 years old, a reputable breeder will want the dog to come back to them of you are unable to keep it. Breeds With Purpose. It doesn’t matter if your preferred breed is a couch potato or a full-time herding dog, when breeders produce a litter of puppies they should be breeding with a purpose. Purposeful breeding requires careful selection of breeding stock based on breed conformation, health, and temperament. Breeding with purpose, and following all suggested health tests, is what sets quality breeders apart from those who might be breeding for profit. Puppy Mill vs Breeder When selecting a breeder, it is essential that you can spot the differences between a puppy mill and a reputable breeder. A puppy mill is a commercial dog-breeding operation that focuses on making a profit. They typically take the “quantity over quality” approach to dog breeding, and their goal is not the health and welfare of the animals they keep or produce. Their dogs are typically bred frequently and may be kept in poor conditions. Puppy Mill Red Flags · Puppies are separated from their mother before 6 weeks old. · The seller offers many different purebreds or “designer” hybrids. · The transaction, from purchase to shipping arrangements, can be done completely online without the seller discussing the puppy with you in person or on the phone. · The seller does not take an interest in you or your home life. Responsible breeders will want to know about the home their puppy is going to! · The seller does not request “right of first refusal”—they do not want the puppy returned to them unconditionally if you are unable to care for it. When you decide to purchase from a breeder, do your research and make sure that the person you're supporting is breeding in the best interest of the dogs. If a puppy or purebred dog isn't what you're interested in, consider adopting from a local shelter or breed-specific rescue!

As soon as young puppies open their eyes, they begin to interact with their mother and siblings through play. Puppy play is a critical part of the physical and psychological well-being of puppy. During this early developmental stage in their lives, puppies are always learning and they are constantly gaining new information through play. Why do Dogs Need to Play? Puppies learn important life lessons as they grow up with their littermates and mother. After two to three weeks, when the puppy has opened its eyes, they begin to interact with their family and learn important dog-specific behavioral patterns. Through play they gain an understanding of verbal and nonverbal canine communication . From different postures to varying degrees of vocalization, puppies learn to “read” other dogs through these early interactions. After five weeks, puppies begin to use their mouths a bit more in play. As a result, they also learn bite inhibition . When a puppy bites too hard, its littermate will likely yelp and withdraw from play. The puppy learns that if they want to continue with the play, they should measure the pressure used when mouthing their playmate. As puppies interact with their mothers, they also learn discipline . The mother is responsible for overseeing the lessons of canine behaviors, and will typically offer corrections to the puppies in order to show them the boundaries of appropriate behavior. When puppies are separated from their mother and littermates too early, they may have problems with nervousness, over-vocalization, and lack of bite inhibition. With nobody shaping their early behaviors, they can also be difficult to train. It is generally suggested that puppies remain with their littermates and mother until 8 weeks old, with some breeds staying with their canine families longer, depending on their developmental needs. Taking the Lead Once your puppy comes home, it becomes your responsibility to continue shaping proper play behavior. Just as it did with its littermates, your puppy will continue to use play as a way to socialize, learn, and test their boundaries. Play, both with humans and other dogs, will continue to be important to their growth and development. Exercise. A tired puppy is a happy puppy! Exercise is a fundamental part of play, and through play your puppy will learn body awareness and coordination. Play will offer an outlet for the seemingly endless energy of a puppy, and make them less likely to direct that energy in a more destructive way—like toward your favorite pair of shoes. Training Tip: When playing with your puppy, avoid play that is focused on your hands. Roughing a puppy up with your hands might seem enjoyable, but can result in over-arousal and a puppy trying to mouth or paw at you in return. As the puppy grows up and gets stronger, this can lead to scratches and bites. Teach the behaviors now that you want them to show as adults. Direct play toward a toy, minimize rough play behaviors, and encourage your dog to settle by stopping play when they become too excited. Mental Stimulation. Sometimes a good mental workout is more exhausting than a physical one! Playing, especially with games and toys like a Kong, reward your puppy for thinking of ways to get the treat out. Games like fetch or scent games can also be mentally challenging and rewarding. Training Tip: A stuffed toy or treat puzzle is a great way of encouraging a “settle” behavior, and can be used to de-escalate play behavior that has gotten a bit out of hand. Continued Education. Puppies this age are always learning! Just as they were learning appropriate behavior from their mother and siblings, they’ll learn what appropriate behavior is from you as well. You can shape their play manners by rewarding only the behaviors that are acceptable. When puppies come home, they should be learning the behaviors that will be appropriate for the rest of their lives. Essentially, if you don’t want your dog to do something when they’re fully grown, do not encourage that behavior as a puppy. If you have a young puppy that is going to grow up to be a large dog, you probably don’t want them jumping on you as an adult! Training Tip: Play is a reward that your puppy is familiar with. Just as puppies learned that biting too hard would result in their littermates withdrawing from play (removing the fun reward of play), puppies will learn exceptionally well when they have to “work” to receive the reward of play. Training between play sessions is useful for preventing the puppy from becoming over-aroused, and also as a way of reinforcing training through a reward that they are always excited about. Socialization. It’s important that your puppy’s socialization with other dogs does not end once they leave their littermates. Play time with other puppies is a critical part of their development, and helps them refine their bite inhibition, communication, and other social skills. Socializing puppies also helps dogs learn that interacting with furry friends is a reward for good behavior, encouraging behaviors that result in calm greetings and appropriate play as adults. Training Tip: What about dog parks? Young puppies should NOT be exposed to high-traffic dog areas before they have received their full protocol of vaccines. Dog parks are NOT a safe place to socialize a puppy. Puppies are tremendously sensitive to experiences, and dog parks are not controlled spaces. An overzealous greeting or aggressive or poorly mannered dog can result in the puppy creating a negative association that will shape the way they interact with dogs for a lifetime. The goal of socialization is to create positive interactions, and avoid anything that will be overwhelming or frightening. Instead of turning to dog parks to socialize your dog to other canines, it is suggested that puppies attend an age-appropriate puppy class. Dogs in Harmony offers multiple solutions to puppy socialization, even in times social distancing. Harmony School provides structured play, learning and socialization to people, textures, sounds, and other dogs. It is the optimal learning environment for young puppies. Group puppy classes and puppy Learn and Play sessions are also excellent socialization options. For more information on our offerings for puppies, please email us at [ info@harmonydogs.net ] and let us know your puppy’s needs and goals. Encouraging Positive Play Play has an important role in the development of your puppy, and learning to encourage positive play is a critical part of helping your puppy reach its potential. Here are a few DO’s and DON’Ts for encouraging puppy play. DO: Control your energy. If you have a high-energy puppy and approach play time with the same level of excitement, you’re likely going to end up with an over-aroused puppy that begins directing that energy toward mouthing your hands or feet. This can unintentionally encourage “mouthiness” or biting behaviors. Meet high energy puppies with calm human energy. If your puppy is lower energy, you may need to increase your energy to encourage fun play. DON’T: Continue play when your puppy is overly excited. This can lead to unwanted behaviors and puppy frustration. When play gets too rough, initiate a play break and let them settle in their crate or personal space with an engaging chew toy. Puppies should only be left with a chew when the you are sure that the chew is safe for them. Monitor your puppy's chew/play style when presenting a new toy or chew, and only leave them unsupervised with it once you've determined that the toy/chew is safe and will not cause blockage or choking hazard. DO: Encourage basic training and obedience before and during play. Use play as a reward for practicing basic obedience commands. This makes learning a part of the fun! DON’T: Respond to unwanted play behaviors with roughness or emotional responses. If your puppy is nipping or chewing on something they shouldn’t during play, it’s just part of the learning process. Don’t encourage those behaviors. Instead, offer better choices and better rewards. DO: Seek out socialization opportunities to help your puppy refine their ability to read other dogs and improve their manners. Make sure the socialization opportunities are structured, safe, and controlled. DON’T: Allow puppies to play or chew without supervision. Don’t allow puppies to have unsupervised play with other dogs or puppies, and make sure to not leave them alone with toys they can destroy and ingest. If you have questions or concerns about your puppy, their play, or socialization options, get in contact with a Dogs in Harmony Professional Trainer to discuss your puppy’s needs or enroll in a puppy-appropriate class. [ info@harmonydogs.net ]

Every dog is different! Which type of class will be better for your dog depends on their needs, personality, and, of course, your preference. With services being modified during Covid, Dogs In Harmony is offering private lessons (dog only, or outdoor private lessons with humans) as well as dog only group classes to accommodate the needs and preferences of all of our clients. Private Lessons A private lesson is a one-on-one training session that includes either the dog and trainer, or you and your dog with the trainer. These lessons will be held either in our training center or locally in an outdoor setting. Advantages of Private Lessons: Work only on what you need. A private class focuses on your specific needs and gives you time to work on problems and behaviors that are important to you. Fear and aggression. A dog who is fearful or aggressive might not be a good candidate for good classes, and private lessons are a much more appropriate training opportunity. Minimal distractions. Increase your probability of success by controlling and minimizing distractions. Dogs may find it easier to focus when it’s just you and your trainer. Absence training. When did you last leave your dog alone for an hour? If you’re working from home, you might be seeing more of your dog than usual. Leaving your dog for a group class or private lesson will provide them with time away from you, and that time will be spent in a controlled learning environment. You don’t need to leave them at home and hope for the best, with both private and group lessons you’ll know that your dog is not only safe, but is actively learning and not experiencing anxiety about your absence. Team building. With other distractions minimized, your dog can really focus on you. This focus is a critical part of building a team and training relationship. If your dog can’t focus on you in private lessons, they might find it difficult to focus on you in group lessons. Group Classes Dogs In Harmony group classes are currently “dog-only” and are hosted inside of our training center. These classes combine dogs of similar age, temperament, experience, and play style to make for an enriching class that combines training with the dog and human socialization that is severely lacking these days. Advantages of Group Classes: Distractions. Wait, distractions are an advantage? Yes! For many dogs, learned behaviors can go out the window when there are intriguing distractions. A group class provides an opportunity to “proof” behaviors among distractions. Learn more about the advantages of working around distractions. Socialization. Dog play dates are currently few and far between. If your dog’s favorite thing in the world is meeting another dog, they need to learn to interact in a way that is calm, controlled, and safe. These dog-only group classes give them an opportunity to learn to interact appropriately with others. Absence training. When did you last leave your dog alone for an hour? If you’re working from home, you might be seeing more of your dog than usual. Leaving your dog for a group class or private lesson will provide them with time away from you, and that time will be spent in a controlled learning environment. You don’t need to leave them at home and hope for the best, with both private and group lessons you’ll know that your dog is not only safe, but is actively learning and not experiencing anxiety about your absence. Impulse Control. Dogs everywhere! Dog-only group classes and Harmony School provide dogs and puppies with an excellent opportunity to learn from and around other dogs. Between individual exercises, your dog or puppy will be expected to wait for their own turn. Your dog’s ability to learn in the presence of another dog teaches them that they can interact with other dogs when they’re allowed to do so and will need to ignore that powerful distraction when needed. Which Dogs In Harmony learning option is best for you and your dog? If you have questions about which program will be best for you, please message us at info@harmonydogs.net