Plec123;3678469; said:
There's your first problem.
"Papers" mean nothing except that the breeder sent in a registration fee to whichever kennel club they use.
Pedigrees are important to decent breeders, but the "papers" are nothing but a copy of the pedigree and a registration certificate from whichever corporate entity is being paid to maintain the records.
BigJ, it's great that you're pleased with your dog, but I respectfully disagree with your conclusion that it doesn't matter where you look to purchase a dog. Pet store dogs are usually raised in deplorable conditions, with poor hygiene and nutrition and no socialization or exercise. They're abruptly weaned and litters split up far too early so that the pups can be shipped to arrive at the store at the earliest sale-able age. They're often immunocompromised, difficult to housetrain because they've been caged for their entire existence and never learned to be clean, and there is no ongoing support.
A pup from a conscientious breeder is born in a litter planned for optimum physical and mental soundness, screened for genetic issues common in the breed, born and raised in a clean and stimulating environment, and has learned valuable lessons from both its littermates and mother, occasionally also other adult dogs, cats, birds, and other animals. They've been handled and exposed to household experiences like vacuum cleaners.
No, I don't think you can blame the dog for pushing the other down the stairs. They just don't think that way. Get her doing something. Teach her how you want her to behave and set her up for success.
[/rant]
