New Owner Questionnaire

We want you and your new puppy to be a match made in heaven! That is why we have designed this Owner Questionnaire, to help us ensure that you go home with the right puppy for your family. Choosing a dog can be a difficult process, and personalities, wants and needs (of pups and owner families) have to be taken into consideration.

Why not choose a puppy by myself?

Puppies are like babies – they eat, they play and then they spend a lot of time sleeping. In fact, they are very likely to be asleep just when you are trying to decide which one is right for you. Because we raise your puppy as part of our family, we get to see them when they are wide-awake and their personality is showing itself. We also keenly observe their behavior, and conduct personality typing tests at 7 weeks old that help us to further understand their character.

How will the Questionnaire help me get the right puppy?

There are six general types of dog personalities: aggressive, independent, assertive, confident, adaptable, and insecure. Each type has its own needs and can be determined as a puppy.

In the dog world there are Leaders and Followers. The Leaders– like they are in the human world – tend to be the extroverts. They are cheeky, bold, strong-willed and enjoy being the leader of the pack, or having a strong pack leader to please and look up to.

The Followers are more submissive, gentle and introverted. They never challenge the status quo, like to “go with the flow”, and they are likely to accept anyone as their boss – even small children.

Though most people like a dog with a bit of character, it is important that Leaders end up with owners who have the confidence to be strong pack leaders. And it is equally important for people who are “pushovers” or have small children to end up with a Follower.

We also consider puppy size, color, sex and your family’s needs/wants as far as activity level or desired sport (agility, frisbee, hiking, obedience, herding, etc.) It is very important to us to try and match you up with the most perfect puppy for your family!

Please answer the questions as honestly as you can, highlight your answer, save your document and return copy to LaudrickKennels@gmail.com.

Thank you for trusting us to provide the best companion for your family!

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Your Name:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

1. What best describes your childhood experience with dogs?

• We usually had a dog for work or guarding and it lived outside.

• Grew up close to 1 or more dogs and helped train and look after it.

• Loved playing with dog(s) as a child but someone else trained and took care of it.

• Never had much to do with dogs while growing up

2. What has your adult experience with dogs been like?

• Have never owned a dog as an adult.

• Owned a dog before but there were behavioral problems

• Owned a family pet dog before and it was great

• Owned guard dogs but not family pets

If yes, is there anything about that experience that you do not want to repeat this time?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. What do you most want to get out of having a dog in your life?

• I want a dog to guard the place and be around

• I want a dog to share and keep up with my physically active lifestyle

• I want a dog to walk with me, play with, cuddle up and relax with.

• My ideal dog will be a gentle, safe and easy-going family pet

• I’d love a shy dog to nurture, protect and fuss over

• Other…………………………………………………………………………

4. How much time and effort do you see yourself putting into training your dog?

• Training is important to me and will be an ongoing activity through the life of my dog.

• We will take our dog to puppy school, but once that’s done, we’d like to be done.

• Just want to teach my dog myself to follow basic commands – come, sit, stay.

• Once we’ve handled potty training, I’ll pretty much let my dog do whatever it wants and hope it behaves itself.

5. What's your best guess at describing your fur-kid parenting style? (Please be honest!)

• I’ll provide food, shelter and a big yard to run around in and that’s pretty much it.

• As long as my dog gets a handle on potty training it can do pretty much what it likes

• I’ll insist on good manners and basic discipline (e.g. sit, come) most of the time

• I’ll be insisting on ongoing discipline and training my dog to a high level

6. How trainable would you like your dog to be?

• Highly trainable for an active working life in agility or rodent control

• Responsive to training, so I can teach it a few fun tricks

• Affectionate and cuddly more important than intelligent.

• Not a consideration

7. How sociable are you and your dog likely to be?

• A quiet life at home suits us just fine

• Occasional visits and outings with adult friends and family

• Occasional visits and outings with all ages, including small children

• Regular walks or meetups with friends at the local dog-friendly café’

8. What would an ideal day with your dog be like?

• My dog stays outside doing his job and I go about my business

• High intensity work together to learn more skills

• Lots of running around and having fun

• Walking to the local café to meet up with friends and their dogs

• Cuddle up watching TV together on the couch

9. How much exercise will you give your dog?

• We’ll take him on a brisk walk or run together at least once a day

• We’ll go for a walk a few times a week

• We’ll play with him a few times a week

• None, just give him a yard to run around in

10. How much time are you likely to spend with your dog?

• Not much. And never in the house.

• He’ll share the house with us after hours and we’ll spend quality time together a few times a week

• I love to stay at home most of the time with my dog by my side

• I love getting out and about and my dog will come everywhere with me

11. Are you or is someone in your household allergic to dogs?

• Yes, extremely allergic

• Yes, somewhat allergic

• I don't know

• No

12. How old are you?

• under 40

• 40 to 60

• over 60

13. How would you rate your health and fitness?

• Excellent

• Good

• Fair

• Poor

14. Do you currently own a dog(s)?

What sex are they?

• Male

• Female

How big are they?

• Much bigger than a Mini Aussie

• About the same size as a Mini Aussie

• Much smaller than a Mini Aussie

How would you describe their personality?

• Bold, bossy, energetic.

• Easy going, friendly, adaptable.

• Shy, nervous, submissive.

15. Who will share your home and your dog with you, now or in coming years?

• No-one, just me and my dog.

• A few other confident adults like me

• Other adult(s) and older children. Ages: …………………………

• Little kids or infirm are definitely part of our lives. Details… …………………………………..

16. What other animals share your household?

• None that can’t stand up to a spirited dog.

• We have other animals, but they are kept separate or always supervised together.

• Once trained, our dog will need to be trustworthy with our other small or vulnerable pets.

17. What size Aussie would you prefer?

• As small as possible; easily fit on my lap.

• I prefer medium dogs

• As large as possible

• Any size is fine

18. GROOMING: What are your grooming preferences?

• Easy, low-maintenance more important than looks.

• High-maintenance, beautifully groomed and gorgeous to look at.

• Not a consideration

19. How important is it that your new puppy is “Show Quality”?

• Very important

• Somewhat important

• Not important – just want it to be a great pet

• ​

20. Would you be interested in getting a "pick of the litter" puppy at a reduced price as a Guardian Home?

Anything else you’d like us to know?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Note about New Owner Questionnaire