How to Find the Perfect Family Dog

There are many different qualities we look for when welcoming a puppy into our home. Perhaps we want companionship or loyalty - someone who will always be happy to see us after a long day at work. Or maybe you are looking to teach kids about responsibility through pet ownership. However, there are a growing number of dog owners who are on the lookout for family rescue dogs - who are able to come to your aid should you require assistance or get lost. 

Photo by Marliese Streefland on Unsplash

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to find (and train) the perfect family rescue dog. 

• If buying your dog from a breeder, ensure that they are a reputable company that you can trust. One with years of experience in the field, which operates with the best interests of their dogs at heart. For example, you might want to get in touch with a member of the team at Smoky Mtn Labradors, who have nearly four decades of experience in breeding happy, healthy dogs. 

• Alternatively, you could rescue a dog from your local shelter. However, if they are an older dog, training them could be a little more difficult as they will have already set into a pattern of behaviors that can be difficult (though not impossible) to amend. Either way, you should ensure that you set up a straightforward training plan that helps them develop good habits, such as learning how to heel and stop pulling. 

• Follow our comprehensive lesson plan to help train your dog to become a family rescue dog. Remember, training requires a great deal of determination and patience from both the dog and the owner, and you have to be willing to put the work in if you want to get the best results. 

• Focus on rewards-based training where possible, where dogs are rewarded for good behavior or for picking up a new skill. This is due to the fact that when rewarded, dogs find it easier to learn what is expected of them as they receive something positive in response to their efforts. Rewards can vary from verbal praise and cuddles to snacks - whatever gets the most positive response out of your dogs. 

• When training your dog to find you, ensure that you are also aware of the different elements That could impact their training. For example, if they aren’t getting enough rest, their focus levels could be greatly impacted. Furthemore, factors such as temperature and scent can affect working dogs in different ways. 

• In order to achieve success when training your dog, you should also ensure that they are happy and healthy. For example, you should ensure that you choose the right food for them, give them plenty of exercise and make time in their schedule for fun. For example, they cannot train consistently if they are not given time to cut loose or stop enjoying what they are doing. However, there are plenty of ways in which you can make training fun for your dog.