The importance of choosing a name… What will we call our little brown man?

Our pup has been chosen and is coming home in just two weeks!! So in preparation we need to choose a name…

But how do we choose??

Five Tips for Choosing the Best Name for your New Puppy or Dog

1. Pick a short and simple name for your dog that is easy to say.  You will spend a lot of time with your furry friend in the coming years, so be prepared to say his name in a variety of situations and locations, for example, shouting his name across the park to get his attention. If you want to pick a longer name for your dog, find one that you can shorten so your pup has a ‘nickname’.

2. Most people say you should try to pick a name with two syllables. Most dog training commands are only one syllable, e.g. Sit, Stay, Down, Come, etc. In this way, a dog can easily differentiate between his name and a command. I have also heard that it’s good to pick a name that starts with a hard consonant. Dogs recognize hard consonants more easily. This should help you to get your dog’s attention faster.

3. Try to pick a dog name that is unique and not similar to the names of family members, close relatives, and close friends. If your dog has a name that is identical or similar to somebody else in the family, he may get confused and think that you are calling him when the name is used. 

4. Name choosing should be a fun family affair. In this way, everyone feels invested in the dog and will be more willing to accept him into the pack.

5. Use your dog’s name in a positive context only. This way, your dog will learn to associate his name with rewards and positive outcomes. You shouldn’t use your dog’s name while punishing him because if he consistently gets punished every time his name is called, he will start to think that his name is a bad thing.

After much debate Jase and I have decided on a compromise…

Jase wanted Hendrix and I wanted Cooper. Cooper is much easier to shorten so that is how we made our final decision.

Our gorgeous little man will be called COOPER HENDRIX RITTERMAN!!

Coop for short!

14 more sleeps until we can bring him home…

WEEK SIX

How do I choose between a male or female dog?

So you’ve chosen to get a dog, you’ve chosen the breed and the breeder. Now it is time to choose which sex to get…

Some people just have a preference. Jase and I have decided to get a male. Jase has always had female dogs and wants a change and I have always had male dogs and want to stick to that! It has nothing to do with us liking boys anymore than girls; it’s just our personal preference right now.

It is important to know that there are some characteristics that are common in females and other characteristics that are common in males. Before choosing your puppy it is important to evaluate these characteristics and determine which sex would fit in best with you and your lifestyle. Additionally, if you already have another dog at home, choosing between a male and female is also important.

General differences between males and females:

Male dogs tend to be more demanding of attention, affectionate, play, and focused on human beings than female dogs, who generally are more independent and inconsistent in their focus on their human companions. A male is also more likely to be fun-loving and outgoing throughout his lifetime than a female. Females can be every bit as loving but after a while they may prefer to go off on their own, whereas males are likely to accept as much attention and pampering as you are willing to give them. It is also important to note that if you do not de-sex your female she will come into heat at approximately one year of age and roughly every six months after. During this time, there will be some bleeding as well as a change in mood or behaviour. Female dogs also tend to become more reserved as they age, where’s male dogs seem to maintain more puppy-like exuberance throughout their life.  

What if you already have a dog?

If you already have one dog, your next one should ideally be of the opposite sex, since dogs of the same sex are more likely to compete for dominance in the family. This has been found to be more common in females. 

(The information above is general in nature and will vary depending on dog and breed.)

So how do you make the decision?

Unless you are planning to breed puppies in your own home, there really is not that much difference between a male and a female dog. And of course, if you already have a dog at home you should probably look at the opposite sex for your next dog. But truthfully, the choice should be based on your own personal preference the sense of connection you feel with an individual dog.

Jase and I are about to head to David and Kerryn's house to help worm the puppies. Look out for my next post as I am sure we will have some good stories from today!!

So Back to Our Story...

Our story is proof that if you want to get a particular pup from a good breeder,  it doesn’t always happen straight away – you need to be patient. It’s not something to rush into. You will hopefully have your dog for 10-16 years so it will be well worth the wait.

Jase and I both love the Golden Retrievers. Our preference is to find a dark male – with a relaxed temperament. However, we couldn’t find many breeders in Victoria that breed dark Goldens. I touched base with almost every breeder on the Golden Retriever Club of Victoria website as well as speaking to friends and families with amazing Goldens. I found about 3 breeders that had the darker Goldens – which I thought looked and sounded like good reputable breeders. To know for sure, Jase and I went to visit all 3 of them.

Breeder One (Goorambat): The first breeder we went to visit (about 6 months ago), we loved! David and Kerryn’s dogs were gorgeous and dark golden. The house was covered in different dog merchandise – a sign of true dog lovers!! The only problem was that they weren’t 100% sure when they would be breeding again as the last time their girl, Lara, came into season, she didn’t fall pregnant. David and Kerryn told us they were hoping she would come into season again mid June - but they promised to keep in touch and let us know when it happens. Lara came into season early June and has been mated with a beautiful pale boy. 

Breeder Two (Goldensire): The second one we went to we also loved (about 4 months ago)! However, Roxy had just had pups at the time and it was slightly too early for us as we were going overseas on our honeymoon. Plus Roxy was also the lighter of Rhonda’s two dogs – and only had lighter pups in her litter. Rhonda told us that her dark girl, London, would be coming into season in June so we decided to hold off and wait for London. I just received an email from Rhonda- and London has only just come into season (late July) and will be mated with any day now.

Breeder Three (Summerdayz): I had touched base with Darren a long time ago and he told me he would touch base with me when he was having another litter. Darren’s girl, Kali, had puppies two weeks ago so Jase and I went to visit them. Kali is a dark Golden, however she was mated with a light male. Darren has had a very long waiting list of people interested and unfortunately Kali only had 2 dark pups in her litter and Jase and I missed out. However, he still has 2 lighter males available…

All three breeders we visited were fantastic and I would highly recommend all of them. For Jase and I the decision has to come down to timing and being able to choose the pup that best suits us from the litter.  


So which one do you think we should go with?

How do I find a reputable breeder?

You’ve decided that you want to buy a dog, you’ve chosen the breed and now you want to find a good breeder. But how do you know if they are a good breeder?

Reputable breeders breed dogs for the love of the breed, not for the money.

They are knowledgeable about the breed they represent and can help with behavioural and physical issues that might come up later. These breeders socialize their puppies early on, breed in good traits and breed out bad ones and they can show you your puppies' parents and give you their history.

How do I find a reputable breeder?

 If you are looking at getting a pure breed the most common place to look is on the Breed Club websites. Jase and I have relied on the Golden Retriever Club of Victoria website. They give you all the information you need; they list all reputable breeders and give you lots of information on the breed, choosing a dog and on breeders with upcoming litters.

Mix breeds are a little harder so please make sure to do the research, go visit them, ask them all the questions below, and make sure they are breeding for the right reasons.  

What questions should I ask the breeders to know if they are good breeders?

1) Are you a registered breeder?

For example, a registered breeder in Victoria, Australia, must be a member of DOGS Victoria, the controlling body for pure breed dogs.

2) Has a vet has been involved?

Mother and pups must be fully vaccinated and wormed.

3) Have the parents been checked for inherited disorders?

Some medical conditions have a genetic component so the best breeders will not use dogs to breed with if they have any of these conditions. Some of the best breeders will actually provide the results from screening tests done on the parents in the pups registrations documents.

4) What do you do with the pups in the first 8 weeks? 

Make sure that the pup has been raised in the best possible environment during the first 8 weeks of its life (which is the amount of time it is with the breeder). In this time make sure the pup is socialised with other dogs, puppies and people.

5) Can I come to your property and visit the mother and pups? 

You will be able to see first hand the temperament of the mother and the conditions in which the puppies are being raised and socialised. Also be wary if they offer to bring the dog to you – you want to be able to see where your pup is coming from.

6) Have you seen any behavioural or temperament issues in any of your dogs?

Temperament problems such as dominance aggression (i.e. in the cocker spaniel), also runs in families, and good breeders will avoid using dogs with known inherited behavioural problems.

7) How do you advertise?

Generally the best breeders don’t have to advertise their business, they usually have a waiting list and rely on word of mouth.

Be prepared for the breeder to interview you too. A responsible breeder will want assurance that you can provide a good home for their babies.

Again – I am always happy to help if you need.

Thinking about adopting or rescuing a dog?

Saving a dog from a shelter or rescue centre is one of the most rewarding things a dog lover can do. Although you don't have the benefit of meeting your pup's parents, rescued pups and dogs are thoroughly examined for illnesses and medical conditions, they are socialized by staff and trained early on. But choosing the right one for you can be a tough decision.

Shelters and rescue centre’s can be stressful places to visit, with lots of dogs crammed into small, noisy spaces. These surroundings can make dogs agitated, anxious, depressed, frustrated and edgy. This can make it hard to see the dog’s true energy and personality straight away so try spending as much time as possible with any dog you may be interested in. Find out from the shelter if you can take the dog that you're interested in for a walk; it’s good to see how the two of you get along outside of the shelter environment.


Don't be afraid to ask the rescue staff lots of questions about the dog:

·       Find out why the dog is without a home? If a dog was given up, you need to find out why. It may have been because the owner had an allergy, or had to move into a smaller home, a marriage or relationship breakup - or the dog may have a behavioural problem. Behaviour problems are often something that can be fixed over time by the right owner, but it's good to know about them up front.

·       Does the dog have any known medical issues?

·       What's the best thing about this dog?

·       What's the worst thing about this dog?

·       Has the dog been temperament tested?

·       Does the dog get along with other dogs or cats?

·       How does the dog get along with the staff?

·       How does the dog act at mealtimes?

·       What is the dog like when people come by to view the other dogs?

·       What is the dog like on a walk?

The answers to questions like these will give you a better idea of what the dog will be like with you and your family at home and if the dog will suit you and your lifestyle.

Try not to let the environment of the shelter and the weight of the decision influence you to adopt a dog. It’s crucial for you to choose the right dog for you, and not just one that you feel sorry for. Feeling pity for a homeless dog won't benefit you or the dog in the long run.

Once again, please keep an open mind, do your research, and have patience!

Please don't support Puppy Mills - do your research before buying your dog!!

Some of you may be asking, what is a puppy mill?

Puppy mills, also know as puppy farms, are inhumane businesses that breed dogs indiscriminately for money without caring for the dogs. They are unregulated breeding facilities owned by disreputable breeders. Dogs are bred far too frequently, are kept cramped together in filthy conditions, and are not socialized properly with other dogs and humans. A reputable breeder told me that at most a female dog should only be mated four times in her life otherwise there is a big strain on her health and her body – this is something that puppy mills definitely do not follow – they mate their females as often as they possibly can as they are all about mass production.

Puppy mill pups get pulled away from their mum and litter at far too young an age, often at only four or five weeks when the earliest a puppy should be separated from its pack is eight weeks. More often than not, these breeders do not care about the health and strength of the breed, which often results in bad health, genetic illnesses, behavioral issues and problems with housebreaking and training. The fact that these puppies are kept in cages means the pup doesn’t learn from it mum and it doesn’t learn the natural instincts of being a dog. For example, these pups don't learn to eliminate away from their food and bed so when they end up in their new home, they often have a lot of difficulty with toilet training.

Oscar’s Law is a campaign that begun three years ago to abolish factory farming of companion animals, and the sale of companion animals from pet shops, online trading sites and to promote adoption through rescue groups, pounds, shelters. Oscar is the pup in this photo, it is his story that inspired the Oscar's Law campaign. Please support & read more about Oscar + Oscar’s Law at http://www.oscarslaw.org/index.php. 

Buying from certain pet stores or online trading sites can sometimes mean you are supporting puppy mills. And if you are supporting puppy mills, you are contributing to the suffering of these poor dogs. 

So please think twice when you see that adorable puppy staring at you from the window! Do your research before making any rash decisions. Ask lots of questions, go visit the place where the pup has been bred, meet the parents and make sure the breeders are breeding for the love of it.

My next two posts will provide you with some helpful hints as to the types of questions you need to ask when deciding on where to get your dog from; including questions for breeders, shelters and rescue centers. Stay tuned!!

Which Breed is Right for Me??

Big - small, long hair - short hair, active - lazy, big appetite - small appetite, big garden - small garden, puppy - adult, children - no children, inside dog - outside dog, pure-breed - mix-breed, lots of grooming - minimal grooming, easy to train - not so easy to train?

These are just a few of the factors that will help determine what breed of dog you choose.

One of the main reasons for dogs ending up in shelters is because far too many people rush into the decision of getting a dog, they want it then and there, and end up with the wrong breed for them and their lifestyle!!

My aunty-in-law is a great example of this… She always loved Border Collies because her sister-in-law had always had them and she loved the look of them. One day she decided to bring one home. After a few months of being at work and leaving the puppy at home, the poor thing got so bored, in an attempt to release some energy it ran around and around causing a figure 8 to be engrained in their garden!! Those breeds are bred to work and to herd – they need to be kept active with lots of room to run. Unfortunately they realized they couldn’t cope and had to give the puppy away.

Jase and I have chosen to get a Golden Retriever. We have put a lot of thought into this. We both love big dogs. Plus we are newlyweds and will want to start a family in the next couple of years – so our biggest prerequisite was that we found a breed that is known to be great with children. We have a medium sized garden. We both love exercise and we live very close to 3 beautiful dog friendly parks! Plus – I fell in love with my aunties Golden, Diesel, he has the most beautiful temperament I have ever met in a dog! (he is the one in these photos)

Please don’t just choose a dog because you like the way it looks. Please make sure to do your research and find a breed that matches you and your families environment, lifestyle and energy levels. And I am always more than happy to help.

To get a dog or not to get a dog?!...

It is a proven fact that dogs make people happier. I researched it in my final year of psychology and the statistics are incredible. They are brilliant for all ages and in particular children and the elderly. They teach you how to care for something other than yourself, they keep you fit and healthy, they always get excited when you come home and they give you unconditional love. They genuinely make people happy and healthier. And they always put a smile on your face.

However, when my mum first saw this blog she sent me an email saying:

“Mel – that looks fantastic! But no mention though of a mother who bought the food, fed the dog, paid the massive vet bills, paid for pet insurance, bought all the dog equipment and toys, walked him daily, cleaned up the wee in the house and the poo in the garden… that's the real prelude to having a dog. Hopefully your blog will reflect everything for it to be a reality for new dog owners :) x”

I guess what my mum was trying to say is that along with all the incredible and rewarding things that comes with having a dog is the reality of the responsibly involved.

So you ask the question – is a dog for me??

The first couple I consulted on getting a puppy actually ended up deciding that a dog was not for them. I felt so horrible that I had talked them out of getting a dog but in the end of the day – although they had a dog a few years back, their life style had changed so much, they didn’t have the time anymore to care for a dog. They were never home and always off traveling and had no interest in training the dog. If they would have gotten a puppy, chances are the puppy would have ended up with serious behavioural problems.

The point of that story is not to talk you out of getting a dog, by any means!! I just want to prepare you so you don’t make the wrong decision. A dog should not be a quick purchase, it shouldn’t be a Christmas present you spring on your partner it is an incredible living and breathing four-legged hairy friend that will be in your family for possibly the next 15 years with responsibilities attached.

Jase and I are both very active people and have discussed how we will handle the responsibilities and the small lifestyle changes we will need to make. We will make sure we take it out twice a day and we are lucky enough to have amazing parents that have committed to being dog sitters during the week if we have long days at work. So really it was a no brainer for us. We LOVE dogs and we will do whatever it takes make it work and bring a dog into our family.