Page 24 - Chow Life - Winter 2025

has something in common, building your network accomplish in the whelping box. By knowing exactly
becomes easier. what you want to achieve, you know where you need
to focus your efforts. You will also be able to quickly
BECOME AN EXPERT ON YOUR BREED recognize the distractions that can lead you from the

This is the tip that will get and keep you far ahead of path you have set.
the rest. It is not enough to be fairly knowledgeable The first step in setting long-range goals is to
about the breed that is your passion, you need to consider what you want to accomplish by a specific
attain expert status. Brinna Shannon, of Tacoma point in the future. Setting long-term goals gives
Washington, asks, “If you aren’t an expert in your you an overall perspective that directs every aspect
breed, how can you possibly breed exceptional of your decision-making process. Once you have
examples of it?” established your long-range goals, set your short-

At a National Specialty many years ago, I met a man term goals. You will meet these goals on your way to
named John Cook and after speaking with him for completing your long-range goals. Make a one-year
just a short amount of time, I realized he had likely plan, six-month plan, and plans for next month and
forgotten more about the Dachshund next week. Review your short-term and
than I would ever know. Being an long-range goals periodically. Modify
expert requires much study and them to reflect the experience you
there can be a great deal of “ have gained and any changes in
repetition. It often requires your priorities.
reading the same material Be certain that the goals
multiple times. It is not enough to be you have set are ones you

“I think it is important fairly knowledgeable about genuinely want to achieve
to be an expert in your and are not goals your
breed,” says Diane Baker, the breed that is your mentor or friends might
of Sandbar Chesapeakes, have for you. Remember,
and she followed up passion, you need to attain until you put it in writing
with, “You should know expert status. all you have is a collection
breed type, correct of thoughts and ideas.
temperament, what kind You only have a plan after
of body is best suited to “ you put it in writing.
purpose, behavior evaluation, UNDERSTAND THE
training techniques and so on.” COMMITMENT
When you know everything about
your breed, you will be able to accurately There is a lot more to raising a litter than
answer any question that you are asked. Your goal puppy breath and cuddling. Depending on the size
is to achieve mastery level. By becoming an expert, of the litter, raising puppies can be a full-time job.
you will be viewed as a leader in your breed and A dam is generally pretty good about taking care
people will see you out to be their mentor of her puppies for the first month or so. However,
after they are weaned, puppies become a great deal
SET HIGH BUT REALISTIC GOALS of work. There is extra feeding and the associated

Most breeders work hard to increase their clean up. And, the work does not stop until the
knowledge and attain their goals. However, far too puppies are in their new homes.
many do not seem to experience an overwhelming Highly successful breeders often have waiting lists.
amount of success. A key reason is that they have This is something a first-time breeder simply does
not set goals nor made a plan for achieving success. not have, and sales may be weak depending on any

Goal setting is an important part of planning and number of factors. If you were only expecting to
goals can be used to turn your vision of a successful keep on maybe two puppies, are you prepared to
breeding program into reality. The process of keep them until you find the right home for each of
setting goals helps you choose just what you want to the others?

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