Are you chosen!?

[Megansmom]

I totally agree with Tofupup. When we went to pick Lexi, I kept thinking "we'll know" and "the puppy will choose us". We got there, and out of a litter of 7, they were all adorable! They were all alert, and totally into us. They all ran up to the side of the x-pen demanding attention. I couldn't even tell them apart!

I had been thinking that "we'll pick the one that wants to be with us, demands our attention" umm...we would have left with all 7 had that been the case!

Luckily, we had spoken to the breeder about what we were looking for (a fun, spunky, athletic girl that would be suited to do agility) and she pointed out 2 of them. Lexi's sister was smaller than her, so we liked Lexi's "look" better, and when I picked her up she just relaxed in my arms. SOLD.

Of course, we put her back in the x-pen and without the breeder's help, I had a hard time telling which one she was

It really didn't occur to me to ask our breeder for a lovable, sweet, laid back affectionate pup. Although she assured me "both girls are just precious little babies, you'd love either of them". Which they were, but I should have known when neither of them wanted me to hold them or wanted anything to do with sitting on my lap.

SOOOO, hahaha, this is why I am asking all of you for your thoughts and unbiased opinions!

 

[Caro]

I love Tofu Pups spiel. Deska did choose me rather than me choosing him, but the breeder didnt want him to go so was being pretty picky. He had turned down other people who came to see him whereas he climbed straight onto my lap, so I got to take him home. But that's an unusual situation. With Tully the breeder actually selected her for me, based on my criteria (I said I wanted an active pup for agility).

Just remember the pup that comes up to you may also be the dominant or pushiest one of the litter so may not actually be the best choice if you want it to get along with another dog.

I would have a small list of what you want in a pup (eg, laid back or active) and talk to the breeder about what traits the pups display. Even though they do change a lot to suit your personality, they still come with their own innate essence that doesnt change. By 8 wks it was obvious Tully was independent, active and a bit pushy around food, Deska was pretty laid back, confident and people focused. And these basic traits have stayed with them.

Are you allowed to take Megan? It may make a difference to her accepting a pup if she shows an interest in any particular one.

 

[Megansmom]

I love Tofu Pups spiel. Deska did choose me rather than me choosing him, but the breeder didnt want him to go so was being pretty picky. He had turned down other people who came to see him whereas he climbed straight onto my lap, so I got to take him home. But that's an unusual situation. With Tully the breeder actually selected her for me, based on my criteria (I said I wanted an active pup for agility).

Just remember the pup that comes up to you may also be the dominant or pushiest one of the litter so may not actually be the best choice if you want it to get along with another dog.

I would have a small list of what you want in a pup (eg, laid back or active) and talk to the breeder about what traits the pups display. Even though they do change a lot to suit your personality, they still come with their own innate essence that doesnt change. By 8 wks it was obvious Tully was independent, active and a bit pushy around food, Deska was pretty laid back, confident and people focused. And these basic traits have stayed with them.

Are you allowed to take Megan? It may make a difference to her accepting a pup if she shows an interest in any particular one.

Oh yes, I just know Maggie (Hadley's mom) would let us bring Megan to meet the whole family! When the time is right, I am sure we'll be takeing a drive to the Austin area to meet and greet!

 

[granite]

I still remember one couple that came to look at puppies....the lady kept commenting "well this one doesn't love me.....and this one doesn't love me either" etc, etc, etc. I said to her "well...they don't know you either. Earning a pup's love is all about food, comfort, and smell. You don't smell familiar, you haven't given them food, and there hasn't been time for them to get comfortable with you." She then asked to see the puppies with me and Russ on the floor "so that she could see which one was the friendly one." The puppies proceeded to clamber all over us non-stop as I explained to her that they were ALL the friendly one. So then began the discussion of what she was really looking for (male vs female, other pets or family members that would interact with the dog, sports vs companion, etc). After a long talk it became clear that she wanted a male dog that would be affectionate and calm with her elderly dad. So I showed her the most placid of the males; and also put the other males in a little enclosure so that she could watch them all. When she decided on Symphony he was quiet in her arms but she again commented that he didn't "Love" her.

When the day came for her to take him home she called from the road to say that 30 minutes into the drive Symphony started licking her neck and chin and was "in love"........

 

[Megansmom]

I still remember one couple that came to look at puppies....the lady kept commenting "well this one doesn't love me.....and this one doesn't love me either" etc, etc, etc. I said to her "well...they don't know you either. Earning a pup's love is all about food, comfort, and smell. You don't smell familiar, you haven't given them food, and there hasn't been time for them to get comfortable with you." She then asked to see the puppies with me and Russ on the floor "so that she could see which one was the friendly one." The puppies proceeded to clamber all over us non-stop as I explained to her that they were ALL the friendly one. So then began the discussion of what she was really looking for (male vs female, other pets or family members that would interact with the dog, sports vs companion, etc). After a long talk it became clear that she wanted a male dog that would be affectionate and calm with her elderly dad. So I showed her the most placid of the males; and also put the other males in a little enclosure so that she could watch them all. When she decided on Symphony he was quiet in her arms but she again commented that he didn't "Love" her.

When the day came for her to take him home she called from the road to say that 30 minutes into the drive Symphony started licking her neck and chin and was "in love"........

Awww, see Janet, that's what I am looking for, being "in love" and he/she being in-love with me .

I learned to adjust to the way Megan is in-love with us, me as her primary caregiver. I love how she gets SOOO excited to see me when we all get home that she runs to me not the others, , and just lovingly jumps at me, gives "love Bites". Her way to love you and show her affection is to sweetly jump at you and try to eat you up, like how we did when our children were babies

However, I would really like one that wanted me to hold him/her, wanted to be next to me, etc, etc..

 

[Lovely]

Awww, see Janet, that's what I am looking for, being "in love" and he/she being in-love with me .

I learned to adjust to the way Megan is in-love with us, me as her primary caregiver. I love how she gets SOOO excited to see me when we all get home that she runs to me not the others, , and just lovingly jumps at me, gives "love Bites". Her way to love you and show her affection is to sweetly jump at you and try to eat you up, like how we did when our children were babies

However, I would really like one that wanted me to hold him/her, wanted to be next to me, etc, etc..

With Pierre, we picked the puppy that picked us. He was two weeks older than the other pups (the breeder had bred sisters within a few weeks of each other and the other two littermates were gone so he played with his cousins). He was outgoing, intent on getting what he wanted, and wanted to be held. Nothing from that has changed. I didn't see the spark of dominance in him that I should have. I haven't changed that in him, but we have learned mutual respect and he will listen because he (somewhere, deep down) knows I (and hubby) are the bosses.

Pierre was not the dog I was looking for. I love him, I wouldn't change him, but I don't feel like he is my heart dog. He loves everyone too much to settle down with a single person. It isn't in his Papillon heart to focus for too long anyway. But he does love snuggles all of the time. That's a plus.

When looking for a Sheltie, we were looking at a litter of 6. Only two were male and I wanted a male. I thought with Pierre's dominant personality, that would go over better than getting a girl. One was large and one was small. I liked the small one's marking best and he seemed somehow calmer and less pushy than all of the others. And when you kissed him or loved on him, he tilted his head back as if he were soaking it all in. The small pup has grown into a little Sheltie who is my heart and soul dog. As I type, he is dozing snuggled up to my side on the couch (Pierre is on my other side ). He is my quiet love, not so attached that he won't mind Dad or can't play with other people/pups, but so attached that when I call to say I'm on my way home, he waits by the door until I get there. He is smart, listens, gets frustrated when he doesn't know what I'm asking him to do, is playful and mischievous. Pretty much, he's everything I've ever wanted in a dog and he's Mommy's boy.

Abigail picked DH when we were visiting the rescue. I had already liked her based on looks but it wasn't my turn to pick. I have my Golden Child already. It was his choice. So Judy and I were grooming Duncan and Abbie brought DH a toy and placed it in his lap. After that, he was sold. We were told that she is sweet, obedient, a little shy, and a total doll. She is all of that and more. She has come out of her shell and makes DH smile wider every day.

A word of warning: please don't expect those connections to appear quickly. Duncan was a rambunctious and slightly aloof puppy until about 6 months. It seemed to me like he would never want to just love me and I often felt like he loved Pierre more. With maturity, came that special connection. Also, I gave him jobs - basic obedience, CGC, agility, and Flyball - so I give him the things he loves most in the world. With Abbie, she has grown since she has been with us and is still growing. It takes patience. SO much patience.

 

[Megansmom]

With Pierre, we picked the puppy that picked us. He was two weeks older than the other pups (the breeder had bred sisters within a few weeks of each other and the other two littermates were gone so he played with his cousins). He was outgoing, intent on getting what he wanted, and wanted to be held. Nothing from that has changed. I didn't see the spark of dominance in him that I should have. I haven't changed that in him, but we have learned mutual respect and he will listen because he (somewhere, deep down) knows I (and hubby) are the bosses.

Pierre was not the dog I was looking for. I love him, I wouldn't change him, but I don't feel like he is my heart dog. He loves everyone too much to settle down with a single person. It isn't in his Papillon heart to focus for too long anyway. But he does love snuggles all of the time. That's a plus.

When looking for a Sheltie, we were looking at a litter of 6. Only two were male and I wanted a male. I thought with Pierre's dominant personality, that would go over better than getting a girl. One was large and one was small. I liked the small one's marking best and he seemed somehow calmer and less pushy than all of the others. And when you kissed him or loved on him, he tilted his head back as if he were soaking it all in. The small pup has grown into a little Sheltie who is my heart and soul dog. As I type, he is dozing snuggled up to my side on the couch (Pierre is on my other side ). He is my quiet love, not so attached that he won't mind Dad or can't play with other people/pups, but so attached that when I call to say I'm on my way home, he waits by the door until I get there. He is smart, listens, gets frustrated when he doesn't know what I'm asking him to do, is playful and mischievous. Pretty much, he's everything I've ever wanted in a dog and he's Mommy's boy.

Abigail picked DH when we were visiting the rescue. I had already liked her based on looks but it wasn't my turn to pick. I have my Golden Child already. It was his choice. So Judy and I were grooming Duncan and Abbie brought DH a toy and placed it in his lap. After that, he was sold. We were told that she is sweet, obedient, a little shy, and a total doll. She is all of that and more. She has come out of her shell and makes DH smile wider every day.

A word of warning: please don't expect those connections to appear quickly. Duncan was a rambunctious and slightly aloof puppy until about 6 months. It seemed to me like he would never want to just love me and I often felt like he loved Pierre more. With maturity, came that special connection. Also, I gave him jobs - basic obedience, CGC, agility, and Flyball - so I give him the things he loves most in the world. With Abbie, she has grown since she has been with us and is still growing. It takes patience. SO much patience.

I hear what you're saying and agree with you on most of it, . However, Megan hasn't really changed a bit at 12 months of age. She was just as aloof and independant at 8 weeks as she is now, and that's perfectly fine.

We shall see how all this turns out with the possibility of Hadley's pups

 

[Sumac3890]

When we got our Katie sight unseen other than a picture for CISR when she was 8 weeks and came to us at 12 weeks she got tons of attention as a puppy and then was but aloof with us for a while partly in fact that Maggie could be a bit of a bitch to her. But she came in to her own self around 2 and was not overly affectionate but anxious to please.
When I was waiting for Zak's litter to be born I kept thinking I did not want a dark face that I wanted Katie's face due in part because I missed her so very much. Well the pups arrived and all had dark faces but one that had a full blaze. Okay so they have dark faces and I really should meet them first and see the personalities. WEll when we walked into the house and here were 4 black bundles of fluff my heart melted and then they all were standing up in the x pen jumping up at us. They were 5 weeks old then and we went back the next week and then on week 8 we had our choice between Zak and his smaller brother- the one other brother l loved the looks of but realize I can't depend on looks alone and so we chose Zak.
We went back a few weeks later to get his ears done and she still had his middle brother the one I liked the looks of, needless to say after having Zak for a few weeks we realized we had chosen the right one. The middle boy that I loved the looks of was very fiesty and would not of been a good match for Maggie. Maggie and Katie would have issues and sometimes would stem from Maggie being jealous. She is just perfect with Zak and when she shows her teeth and fusses he does not care he just plays even harder with her. I guess this sorta means you can't always go by looks alone. I love that black faced boy. Tofu makes some very good points as does Janet.
I have always wondered how much the parents influence personlity and I think with Zak's dad being a show dog is one reason why he is so calm and for the most part unflapable.

 

[Sumac3890]

Another thought is what about male vs female. I was just telling Mark about this thread and he says go male. I had several people tell me to get a male instead of another female. Just thought I would throw that into the mix too.

 

[Megansmom]

Another thought is what about male vs female. I was just telling Mark about this thread and he says go male. I had several people tell me to get a male instead of another female. Just thought I would throw that into the mix too.

Oh yes, that would be my plan, to get a little "momma's boy", . Megan's breeder was very good with the pups from her liter, so I know she had a good start.

Maggie, Hadley's mom is doing a beautiful job with these little babies, so I know there off to a great start as well .