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After three years of research on Australian Kelpies we are finally getting a puppy. She isn't born yet. The litter is due the first of June and we should be getting her in August. I can't wait. I have already found a puppy class for her. So now I need to start remember all those little things I did with Mya, when she was a puppy.
Mya is going to be ten years old in August. She gets along with other dogs fine. So I am not worried about them getting along.

Anyone have some great advice on anything.

One thing I recommend is to get a dog of opposite sex. Same-sex dogs may fight, and they have to work out who is top and who is bottom. That can make the top dog excessively dominant and the bottom dog sadly submissive. Opposite sex dogs do much better. He is top male and she is top female. If you are careful with certain things, such as feeding and high-value toys, fights are unlikely with opposite sex dogs. They are likely to be much happier, and so are you.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Hi Kathy,

I'm going to your site to read all your article.

Thank you again.

Jaime

>>Hi Kathy,
>>
>>
>>I'm going to your site to read all your article.
>>
>>
>>Thank you again.
>>
>>Jaime

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Oh good, I think you'll find some really good tips. On the same sex dog thing, read the article there titled "Same Sex Dogs in the Home." It is so much better just to avoid that if you only have two dogs. But even if they are opposite sex, the handling points in that article will be very good for them.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Hi Kathy,
I have been reading all of the articles on your site.
What do you think a good age is to start puppy classes. It just said when the puppy is ready. How do you know when he is ready?

Thanks again.
Jaime

>>Hi Kathy,
>>I have been reading all of the articles on your site.
>>What do you think a good age is to start puppy classes. It just said when the puppy is ready. How do you know when he is ready?
>>
>>Thanks again.
>>Jaime

>>>>>>>>>>>>

You need the veterinarian's opinion based on puppy exams and vaccinations. Puppies need 3-4 vaccination visits, and it also depends on what viruses are going around among dogs in the community at the time. That is something a well-settled veterinarian will be aware of, too.

Prior to classes, you can socialize your puppy in places where other dogs do not go, in clean places with dogs you KNOW are vaccinated and are gentle with puppies, and in some other places by keeping the puppy in your arms and off the floor/ground.

Raising a puppy is a lot of work!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thanks Kathy.

I'll talk to the vet in June when I bring Mya in for her old lady check up.