Where's our resident dog trainer? Is it true that you have to know

[hedgehog]

all about a dog's breeding and ancestry to predict its temperament or are there tests you can use when selecting a puppy or dog from the pound?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3585932&mesg_id=3586010

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. A dog's parents are a good indicator of temperment

However, most places temperment test dogs. That's why you'll see dogs that say they can't go to home with cats, dogs, or kids on Petfinder and such. There are tests that can be done. That poster is wrong.

Some rescues won't let dogs go to homes with small kids, etc. That depends on the rescue's rules and the breed of dog. For example, many border collie rescues won't adopt out to homes with kids under 12 or so, because Border Collies tend to bite kids. Usually not in a mean way, but correcting the kids for being stupid.

[hedgehog]

2. I think Daniel Pinkwater's Book, Superpuppy , has a series of 5 or 6

tests to determine if the puppy is too timid or too assertive, etc. I used those tests to pick out our Guinness. Things turned out pretty well, except that they didn't reveal that he likes to eat tissues and bark at deer.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

4. Yeah -- our dogs like to eat tissues and bark at deer, too

Beag doesn't bark at deer yet, though. I'm sure she will. She's just a baby now.

[femmocrat]

3. You do not have to know all about its ancestry, but reputable breeders

do breed for temperament. It's just a little more unpredictable with dogs of mixed heritage.

Since they are getting a puppy, though, it's almost like a blank slate. An older dog would be more problematic, IMO. Yes, dogs from better shelters are temperament tested for aggressive tendencies, etc.

[flvegan]

5. No, it isn't.

First, yes there are basic tests that can be done to "test" a puppy at the pound. Most good shelters already do these before a dog is put up for adoption. Also, and this is a big one, temperament testing in a shelter situation isn't always productive.

Breeding and ancestry aren't good indicators of much of anything short of expected size and appearance, unless you're looking for something specific, such as tracking, etc. It's about how you raise the animal.

[hedgehog]

6. I thought our larger dog Jack was getting a bit skittish or snappish in

recent years. He just wouldn't tolerate anyone touching his hind quarters. After feeding him a salmon oil capsule daily for a month, he's fine. I thought he was having hip pain, and the oil is an anti-inflammatory. It turns out that it also calms some dogs. Whatever, it goes to show that working with a dog can work wonders!

[hedgehog]

7. Hey flveggan - I have another question. I made a sweet potato pie

and I swear both dogs are plotting how to get it out of the refrigerator. Did you ever hear about dogs loving sweet potato pie?

[JenaLaw]

8. be careful Hedgehog...

multiple dogs can plot against a closed refrigerator. Your sweet potato pie will not stand a chance!

[flvegan]

9. Just about anything you like to eat, they will want to eat.

Who, dog or man, doesn't love sweet potato pie??????

[hedgehog]

10. I'm worried about these two- they pretty much ignored the roast leg of lamb

I had in the same oven. They want PIE!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

11. Ours love baked sweet potato spears

It's a pretty healthy snack for them. A lot of high end dog foods have sweet potato in them.

[hedgehog]

12. I love the Sweet potato, but my daughter won't touch them.

Maybe I should have the dogs speak to her about sweet potatoes!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

13. We get the bags of raw spears at Trader Joes

Then we roast them in the oven with some olive oil and salt. Just as good as fried sweet potato fries and healthier.

[LeftyMom]

14. They make a dog treat that's just dehydrated slices of sweet potatoes.

I bet they'd love it if you got them a bag.

[achtung_circus]

15. They have limits, but SAFER testing, et al,

http://www.thebark.com/ezine/features_specialFeatures/specialFeatures_04.html