exam question for dog behaviour course

fankino04

fankino04

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Ok so I am doing a dog training and behaviour course and 1 of the exam questions is about recommending a type of dog to a family, the only info I have is that the father is a fireman and works shifts, mum is a dinner lady so out 4 hours a day at lunch time and kids are 11 and 14 and both have outdoor hibbies. They live in a 3 bed semi on a nice estate. How do you recommend a breed, age, rescue or non rescue with such limited info? Anyone any suggestions?
I am going down route of lab puppy due to being medium height, medium exercise requurements, and a puppy so they can get it from a reputable breeder and therefore have the best chance re temperament etc.
 
I would assume it's a trick question and refuse to recommend a specific breed. I would give them a selection of breeds that are generally easier for first time dog owners and emphasize instead the importance of finding a breeder who breeds for temperament, chosing the right puppy and putting a lot of time and effort into socialisation and training.
 
I would throw a spanner in the works and go for a rescue and explain my reasons for it, the mum is out for 4hours so not ideal for a young puppy, I would imagine they are going for safe answers. We all know 4hours is not critical if the pup is crate trained but they may be looking for a by the book answer.

Ask Cayla she will know the answer they are looking for.
 
Thanks booboos I was thinking of maybe 3 breeds that are relatively low maintenance and listing benefits of buying a puppy such as not having to undo bad training, knowing the history, buying ffom a breeder who breeds for temperament and being able to see the mum but also stating that the family seems to have a reasonable amount of time and could consider a rescue as reputable rescues will match them to a suitable dog and the kids arent so young as to upset the dog. In terms of breeds am thinking lab /retriever, bichon, lakeland terrier?
 
Booboos said:
I would assume it's a trick question and refuse to recommend a specific breed. I would give them a selection of breeds that are generally easier for first time dog owners and emphasize instead the importance of finding a breeder who breeds for temperament, chosing the right puppy and putting a lot of time and effort into socialisation and training.
Click to expand...

This ^^^^^^^ adding that perhaps a slightly older 2-4 year old rescue may also be an option due to the fact that pups generally take up more time/ training, than a dog who is a bit older
 
Labs are not low maintenance they moult like hell. I would also not recommend a specific breed as it rules out certain breeds from rescues many of which are cross breeds.
 
It doesn't say 'recommend a breed...' it says 'type'. Also nowhere does it say they are first-time dog owners. One of the first things I learnt at school is ANSWER THE QUESTION. Don't invent stuff!
I would go for a fairly quiet dog (shiftwork means sleeping in the day sometimes), a puppy should be fine -4hrs isn't too long a time to leave it and it will get used to their routine. There should be plenty of suitable choices.....
 
The problem is there's too many choices, the background does say in the paper its their first dog and to recommend a breed I just put it accross wrong, sorry, although I will answer it with types and examples probably, just think its a bit of an imoossible question as personal preference will always play a huge part
 
I answered that question in a behavioural exam, (I have it here in the house somewhere) lol.
I never answered lab (lol) that never entered my head considering they are not imo medium energy, they are happy nutters :P.
I answered with a recommended breeder and as suggested a reputable rescue who assesses dogs and could act as a match maker (as thought the family needed (advice) aswell as (back up) being 1st time owners. I did not recommended a breed as such but mentioned a fewthat I would think would suit a 1st timer,! as booboo suggests. If I can find my answer I will, but im off to work in a sec.
 
I answered it as impossible to answer without asking the family other questions such as size of dog, other visitors to the house, level of exercise, feed budget, shedding requirements etc but assuming medium size or smaller, approx 2 hours exercise per day and not excessive shedding gave options of retriever, bichon frise or english cocker spaniel based on them generally being friendly and eager to please, stupid question though.
 
Don't forget to mention health tests - I know you've said a reputable breeder, but be explicit and don't make the assumption that everyone knows that a reputable breeder will health test!

Having said that, state in your answer if you go for the lab that the family have a suitably fenced garden for a dog that can do a six foot scale! Also, you may care to mention the difference between working and show bred labs from an exercise requirement/mental stimulation point of view.

If you go rescue, don't forget the retired greyhounds.

Good luck!
 
I had a real problem with that question too, I ended up going with a really long winded answer about a lab/cross or terrier/cross can't remember which other breed/cross and all their energy levels and requirements, poor woman that marked it probably thought I'd lost the plot at that point :-) But I passed so that's the main thing. Good luck x
 
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