Finding Chance part 2

Out of all the dogs and puppies born in a single year do you find the one that is right for you? Sounds like searching for a needle in a haystack, right? Yeah, well it is. I knew I needed a large breed dog, a puppy would be best, as I already owned 6 cats and 9 ferrets. An older dog would have a hard time adjusting to the household, so a puppy it would be.

I admit I was a little on the nervous side when I started to look. Yeah I had a series of three tests that would help me test the suitability of the dog, but their would be no way of really knowing without bringing the dog in my home and starting the training.

The test? Really simply actually...

1. Pinch Test : Pinch the skin between the dog's toes. They should yelp and pull the paw back, but forgive you after a moment or two. This tests a dog's physical sensitivity to things. You need it right in the middle, rather than an extreme on either side.
   
   
2. Noise Test : Make a sharp sudden noise such as a balloon popping or a pan hitting a tile floor. The pup should jump, but look around curiously for the source of the noise. This tests the pups audio sensitivity, and again should not be to either extreme, but right in the middle.
   
   
3. Retrieval Test : Toss a ball, plushy, sock, or other dog toy, and see if the dog goes after it. The dog should go after to investigate and show a general curiosity for the toy. He doesn't have to bring it back. This tests the dogs willingness to work with humans.

After a great deal of searching and talking with various different shelters I finally got in touch with one individual about a rather adorable St. Bernard puppy. The shelter was called P.A.W.S and was operated out of Cincinnati Ohio. Long story short, after several correspondences I was ready to give Chance a go. The shelter even agreed to give me a 30 day trial of sorts to help ensure that Chance would be the one.