CHENNAI: Thinking of surprising your best friend by gifting him or her a pup? Hold that thought for a while. According to J Rangarajan, founder of Woodstock Dog Training School, gifting a pooch to a family which is not familiarised with having pets or does not like the idea of having one, can be dangerous for the pup. “If you want to gift a pup to someone, it is great as long as each member of the family is mentally prepared. In 95 per cent of the cases, they just get excited when they see a pet and start showing their affection. Rule number one is to calm down,” he says.
There are various other factors which need to be taken care of before bringing a pet home. “First and foremost, one has to answer the simple question — the reason for getting the pup. Is it for companionship, security or other reasons. One also has to give a thought about the kind of lifestyle one leads and the space available at home — be it an independent home or apartment. Having a German Shepherd or Doberman in a small apartment can be tough for both the dog and the owner,” he says. That apart, one has to do some research on the breeds available, and then make an appropriate decision.
“It has to be decided who will be the primary caretaker, and also the roles each family member will play. When all these things are taken care of, get in touch with a few breeders and talk to them about the breed. Any serious breeder will certainly help you out,” says Rangarajan, who has 27 years of experience training dogs.
According to him, when a pup is brought home from the shelter, the members should not touch, talk or have eye contact with it. They should wait till the pup familiarises with its ambiance and voluntarily comes towards them, he says. “Also, instead of unleashing the pup and letting it run into the house, the new owners should take it for a walk around the house, wait outside for a while, keep the food and water bowl ready, and only after all the members are in, should they let the pet in. This gives them the idea that the owners are allowing it into their territory,” he says. “If the pup is let alone to discover the new place all by itself, it might feel insecure or even uncomfortable, because it is suddenly exposed to a range of smells and senses,” he adds.
That apart, while selecting a pup one has to make a decision whether to get a male pup or female. “The choice should rest with the family. In any breed, males will be bigger in size compared to the females. Apart from the size difference there is not much to consider. The breeder will give you all the information you need to get started with the pup. Most of the breeders will give you the diet chart,medical records and kennel club registration certificate,” he says.
Day Time Best for Bringing Them Home
Having selected the pup, the best time to bring the pup home is between 45 to 60 days. Forty-five days is bare minimum because the pup needs to socialise with the siblings and the mother. This is a very important phase in the pup’s life. When the day arrives to bring the pup home, it is better to bring it home during day time so that it gets used to its new home and the surroundings. This will make it easy for the pup to spend the first night away from its mother and siblings. Get proper guidance from the breeder regarding diet. Ask for deworming and initial inoculation records.
