Just curious how many new puppy owners out there went to meet the litter and let their new puppy pick them instead of just taking what they could get? Selecting the right breed and puppy for you can go along way to eliminating some of the issues we all seem to have with our new puppies. The bond seems to form quicker making for a more eager student. This is just my observation.
We picked our little guy when he was quite young (just starting to get mobile). We chose him because he was the only one that didn't squawk the second he was picked up and just snuggled into us. He was quite a sweet tiny little ball of fuzz, also one of the lightest colored of all the puppies. Now I'm the mother of a 14 week old croco-pup who is quite long and lean and I am covered with all the battle scars from that sweet little tiny fuzzball who has grown so much. Who can resist a puppy that flops on his back by your feet spread eagle with a paw in his mouth just begging for a belly rub?
I was there when mine were born, then spent around a week with them when they were four weeks old, then went back to choose at 6 weeks, when we spent another few days with them. We had the choice of three and it was a really hard decision!
Our Bailey was born interstate so we couldn't choose him or he us. His breeder chose Bailey for us based on chats we had with her and and the answers we gave to questions she asked us. We were sent updates of the litter each week and I have to say she did a great job! Bailey is perfect for us. It was quite exciting, waiting to see the gorgeous face of our chosen pup come up on the iPad screen.
We visited at 5 weeks. We wanted a black bitch so the breeder plonked the 5 on the grass...they all chose us! We looked at Yvonne helplessly and said "but they're all the same!" They were all confident, friendly, bitey little girls. Two weeks later we arrived to pick up our girl. One was off limits - she had developed into a massive bruiser of a bitch who the breeder decided would make somebody's gun dog. The rest were still identical in personality. So we randomly pointed at one and said "that's Xena" haha, no romantic choosing story here.
I think it is absolutely nonsense that 'puppies pick their owners'. I know so many people say 'oh, the puppy picked me!'. Oh, ok, sure - lovely to think that. But, really? Really? If you have chosen a well bred, well raised, early socialised litter of Labrador puppies they mostly should be eagerly all over friendly strangers... Exactly! Great choice of breeder!
My parents breed Labs and I got pick of the litter (of 10 pupps!) from them. I dont live close enough to be able to go see them before picking her up, but I did video chat multiple times. I ended up choosing Larks because she was the smallest puppy but had a GIANT personality. Her brothers would run up and wrestle with her (some being almost twice her size!) and she'd fight right back! I just knew she was the one I wanted.
We visited the litter four times. It was the same breeder as our first Lab but I did check out some other breeders both times. Actually visited other breeders the first time. Some breeders prefer to match the puppy to the purchaser which I think is a good idea as they see the pups much more, and the people can answer questions for them. However we picked our puppy, with assistance from the breeder the second time. The first time we wanted a black girl and there was only one and she was perfect for us. The second time we took the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test with us and the breeder and I did it together till we gave up on it. They were all coming out so much the same on the test yet I could easily see big differences in them when they played together and with me. There were four boys, not counting the runt, in Oban's litter and we didn't pick him till that last day when he was 8 weeks old.
We picked the puppy who didn't come say hi. He stayed in a corner and away from the other puppies and us humans. He never made a peep. I picked up a couple of the other dogs and they squirmed and nipped and were vocal. Then I went and picked up the little guy in the corner and he snuggled in to my neck and stayed there for the next hour. He was the quietest and smallest of the litter. Now at 9 months he is perfect for us. Super calm and laid back, eager to learn and please. Definitely not the small lab I was expecting him to turn into... currently 40.1kgs but that's ok! I wouldn't trade him for anything. Loves the outdoors but also loves to snooze the day away on my feet while we are inside. Although, from about 10 weeks until 14 weeks he was a monster and I basically hated him haha. So I personally don't think dogs choose their owner, for reasons already stated above.
Don't do the the pup picking us. Picked the first 2 myself and the breeder picked the 3rd it was fine. All turned out to be good dogs after hard work and time. All the litters had good even pups who were very healthy from sound happy parents. It's the work you put in after you get them that make all the difference
We didn't pick Ella, the breeder did. We would have chosen her anyway but only because she was a really dark brown and the other girl was much lighter. We loved the really dark chocolate colour.
When we got Fred we wanted a black boy and he was the only black boy born in 3 years, so we had to wait a while for him. When we got Annie his half sister, we wanted a black girl and she was the only in her litter. They have been great dogs and we love them loads.
I said Stanley chose us but only to pull at my OH's heart strings. We were just going to spend some time with the puppies to decide if it was definitely a lab we wanted. (Yeah right, I had the deposit in my purse ) He came down, plonked himself in front of us and when I picked him up he sat with me for ages! So we had to have him. He also had a white line on his chest that none of the other puppies had, I liked that because I'd be able to tell which one was mine. Turns out he's just the most over friendly little monster in the world and likes to be the centre of attention
The only request the OH had was that he wanted a boy pup, my only need was for a Lab! When we first went to see the litter they were just short of 7 weeks and there were just two boys left (litter of 8 with four of each). The pictures we had seen were of yellow pups. When we got there only two boys were left, Bailey was the first pup I held and he immediately responded my voice - basically he was a tail wagging, wiggly, licky little ball. He was also quite happy being with the OH and boy was he nosy! His brother, who was the smallest of the litter just did not respond at all, no tail wag, no licks, no looking at us, and although he was sweet there was no tug at my heart. Bailey meanwhile was sat at my feet and wouldn't move - the OH was watching him and he was watching me the whole time. Bailey was also the darkest of the litter in colour, looking just like a glass of Bailey's Irish Cream (one of my favourite drinks, and yes where his name came from!). Did he choose us, or did I just fall in love? Who knows, but we chose him and he is just the right boy for us - despite everything we would not choose differently - love how friendly he is to all (human and those on four legs!) and his training is sinking in, is he a teenager now, oh my yes, but wouldn't change him for the world!
There were three Lab pups, one always came to me and always watched me leave, while the other two couldn't care less! I didn't choose him sadly and always wonder about him.
We had two to pick from, this makes me feel awful but we actually half chose then swapped. There was nothing separating them, so i picked one, then my OH said actually look at the other one, hes trying to play.. the one we chose was un-interested so we picked the other. I still feel mean
The three puppies I've had were all last in the litters, so no choice (well other than walking away). I did make sure I met the mum in each case, but otherwise I know what I did will be frowned on - saw card in shop window ( from which I got my easiest and best trained cocker), ad in local paper ( my gorgeous chocolate Lab Rolo) and internet search ( Molly). I think in all honesty if I hadn't travelled for 2 hours to see Molly I might not have had her, but no regrets, I love her to bits. I think as you build a relationship with your puppy over the first couple of years, they then become the dog you want. My biggest choice was when I got my first dog as an adult, a rescue springer spaniel. It was back before home checks and we just went to the pound and were asked to pick a dog. All dogs of a similar size were in a pen together and all barking their heads off. Penny was the one who stopped barking and started wagging as we approached so that was it. She was the sweetest tempered dog you can imagine and I can't understand why she was rejected ( she'd had three homes before us) - possibly her boundless energy, but that's springers for you.
My puppy was bred by some friends, I first saw her at 3 and a half weeks, the smallest puppy and last to waddle out of bed. I've always really liked the mother , she's a lovely dog. I wanted one that looks most like her, and it seems I got that bit right. The family also said she slept the most ( possibly because she was smaller) and was the most laid back. Which I think she is really, she accepts me leaving her with minimum fuss, and has allowed me to sleep at night from 4 nights in. Now then, the daughter did say that she tended to bite more .....oh ha ha I thought, such a sweet little thing, that'll soon be over! I'd never heard of crocopups then, wouldn't have believed it anyway! She has been and still can be a real crocodile. But she is so so beautiful and melts my heart every day, and yes I a agree Joy you develop the dog you require ( I don't know how to do the quote thing)
