PW_2_2021

Article

There’s Something About Mary:

Choosing the Right Puppy Chris Bostock , Retired Nottinghamshire Police Last year we met Chris Bostock, a retired Nottinghamshire Officer, who spends his time training and working gun dogs. Chris returns to give budding dog owners some tips on choosing the right dog. Mary

I have worked gun dogs for 16 years , handling a variety of Labrador Retrievers and English Springer Spaniels. I realised that no matter how much time I spend training a dog, there is no substitute for choosing the right one. Good coaching and lots of hard work can improve anyone’s game, but the star performers are always those naturally suited to their role. The same principal applies if you want your dog as a pet, some need long walks, some are OK in smaller homes, others are good with children. Choosing the right dog is important for both you and the dog. Fashion has led breeders into making dramatic changes to many breeds. This is most noticeable in the Labrador Retriever, where the physical differences between working lines and show dogs have reached a point where they could almost be separate breeds. A working Labrador is more toned, has longer legs and a smaller head. What you cannot see are the important psychological differences. Working dogs need a special kind of mental resilience, often working at distance from their handler and on their own initiative. These attributes are collectively called the dog’s ‘drive’. The higher the drive the harder a dog will work. High drive dogs want to work, craving the mental and physical stimulation. The owner must offer an outlet for their energies, and instil an element of discipline to control the dog’s natural inclinations. These aspects that make for an excellent working companion, can be the opposite in a pet, if the owner does not have the time to properly exercise their dog. So, what is the perfect dog and how do you recognise it as a puppy? Unfortunately, there is no ‘one size fits all’. The right dog must be the right dog for you and not for everyone. When choosing puppies for myself, I always start by looking at the parents, and finding out what sort of a working life they have had. The most recent addition to my pack came from a litter of dogs worked by game keepers on the Belvoir Castle Estate. I had seen both the parents in action, so was happy on that score.

My three other dogs are, 10-year-old Robbie, a yellow Lab who is getting ready to retire, although I haven’t had the heart to tell him yet. Ada, another Labrador, four years old; she has a sleek black coat and unusually a blueish black pigment on the front half of her tongue. Finally, Boots, an English Springer Spaniel, he is a handsome black and white boy, who at five is showing no sign of growing up. I went to see the litter when the puppies were eight weeks old and ready to leave their Mum. They were also old enough for their individual characters to start to emerge. As a general rule, puppies react to a new human in one of three ways. 1 They shy away from you, allow themselves to be petted but will not approach or initiate any interaction. This looks really cute and can bring out protective, maternal instincts in humans who feel sorry for the poor little thing. This is not the dog I want though, because a timid puppy is unlikely to become a confident working dog. Also, most problem- aggression in dogs comes from fear, so a timid dog might not be suitable in a family environment. 2 The puppy rushes forward to engage with you, they jump up, paw at your legs and nibble your fingers when you stroke them. Again, this looks really cute, because it can feel like the puppy has instantly fallen in love with you. Unfortunately, this is another dog I do not want. An eight week old puppy who is that bold with a stranger is going to be a real handful when they grow up. This is a sign of a dominant personality; an experienced trainer can overcome this, but it is hard work. Taking some boldness out of a dog is much easier than trying to put it in. This is a better option than Number 1 but still not the best fit for me. 3 This is the puppy that is easy to ignore. They sit and watch you and their eyes follow you around the room. They are very happy to be stroked and once you have initiated contact will happily come and play. This is the type of puppy I want. These three attributes are applicable to most owners’ needs. Timid or boisterous both bring their own problems. The attentive number three puppy will most readily accept you as pack leader and will be easier to train. However, you should not forget the importance of research. When looking for a pet, talk to owners of your chosen breed. Most importantly, try to meet the puppy’s parents, as they will give some indication of what your puppy will become. Mary was a number three puppy, her eyes never left me from the moment she first saw me. Once I had played with her, she followed me around, not jumping up or bothering me, just patiently waiting for some more play. I just knew there was something about her and decided to call her Mary.

Mary with Robbie

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POLICE WORLD Vol 66 No.2, 2021