So yesterday we went to view puppies, we were on the breeders waiting list, happy with breeder etc etc, all okay with that. We want a boy and there were 2 to choose from - but we just could not decide which one! They are only 3 weeks old and all black, so breeder had "marked" the 2 boys for us. As soon as we went in one of the marked boys came up to us immediately (there were 7 pups in all), DH said well he doesn't know he is still to be "picked" so he has chosen us, but I think it is more cats that "choose" you, isn't it the case that if a dog comes up to you immediately, he is dominant?! The other boy was bigger, but not particularly interested in us at all, he seemed very laid back, other pups were pulling his ears etc and he was not worried, but is that a sign that he is too shy? Is he being "bullied" - DH said the fact that he was bigger probably meant no, he obviously could get to mum's food so could not be too docile. The smaller one was very noisy too, didn't stop yapping and crying. He stopped when I picked him up, does that mean anything - i.e. he will want constant attention!! I held them both in my arms, both struggled slightly but then relaxed, when I held the shy one up he seemed to go a bit stiff. It was just so confusing, we do want a fairly placid pup but obviously don't want one that will be nervous or may have anxiety, I don't think he did, think it was just the case that they had woken up and probably if we saw them half an hour later their roles may be completely reversed. Breeder said she felt that the shyer one may be better, but I felt like we didn't do half the tests we should have done. We are going back again at the weekend to see them again, and just see the two of them on their own. Breeder said she will observe them both and see but she said they are so young, it is hard to tell - she had a pup from a previous litter who was very quiet but turned out to be a nutter - definitely don't want that. I know once you choose you just go with it and never know what the other one could have been like, but any advice/thoughts on what we could do at the weekend as we do have to choose one then!! Thanks.
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The doghouse
Choosing which puppy from a litter - advice please!
dogsblog · 21/02/2013 12:11
I think I would listen to your breeder then dogsblog. A good breeder should be experienced at matching people and dogs. My ds needs volume control and to be honest is about as quiet and calm as your average terrier 
Floral, I think mine is just wired up wrong as he is every inch the typical terrier in every other way. Or else he is playing the long game with a view to lulling us into a false sense of security before snaffling the rest of the family pets at leisure!
My spelling is truely appalling on a touch screen sorry!
You'll have to post us a cute puppy photo Dogsblog. Good luck 
Whatever you do don't get the least dominant pup of the litter. I did this, as I naively thought he'd fit in better with my existing dog as he wouldn't challenge or start fights.
Result, really bad separation anxiety and upset at being taken away from his mum. He screamed so much the neighbours (from several doors down) rang to tell me my dog was distressed. He certainly was. He even cried when I was in the room but out of sight.
A worse and on-going problem is nervous aggression. Despite living with another dog, and being well socialised around other dogs, he only accepts dogs he has known since he was a puppy (10 weeks). He is very very nervous of any other dog, and attacks if they approach. I have taken him to 100s of hours of training classes, and had many lessons with behaviourists, but it hasn't helped.
I love him, he's the sweetest dog, and very very attached to humans, BUT if I could go back in time I'd choose his more dominant brother. He is not a pleasure to walk, and I will not be able to take him out when my baby arrives as when he attacks he bites anything and everything within range. A baby in a pram would be in range 
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You might possibly be over-thinking this. Not that the way we did it was right! 
We didn't even know if we wanted a girl or boy, but went in the end for a boy who was middle-sized and middling confidence-wise. No idea what the rest of the litter is like now, but we have ended up with THE most wonderful-natured dog on the planet. Not sure what happened size-wise, as he's the largest of his type we've met, but it doesn't really matter to us. He's a good-sized family dog that fits our house and us.
I could've had the choice of three Labs. But from talking to me the rescuer had already picked mine out.
Conversation went
"You should have her. She's totally nuts and will take work but is lovely"
She is nuts, she does take work, she is lovely .... And she is perfect
We just went by gut feeling, knew the second we saw her which was our pup
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