Help

If the breed is not important to you, you can adopt a puppy from the street or a shelter. If you want a particular breed, a pedigreed puppy bred by an FCI-member breeder in line with the club’s breeding rules makes it more likely that you will find a good puppy. Whichever route you choose, deciding together with an expert reduces possible problems from the start.

Good breeders are often also good trainers, because a puppy’s behavior and manners are shaped in their hands in the first weeks. We therefore recommend doing thorough research before you buy.

Think about the conditions the dog will live in: a house dog needs toilet and crate training. We recommend avoiding puppies sold in small boxes and glass cases; a puppy raised in a cramped space can be affected in its development and behavior. It is often the better decision to buy from a place where dogs are properly cared for and where you can see the puppy together with its parents.

Positive training is based on rewards: the dog is rewarded when they do the wanted behavior. This builds mutual trust between dog and owner, and the owner contributes to the training too. The approach can be applied to all breeds. Alongside training, meeting the dog’s daily exercise needs is part of the work.

How long training takes depends on the dog’s type, age and perception; we cannot give a fixed duration.

If you have another question about your dog, you can reach our trainers. See also Getting Started with Training for when to begin.