Why the Questions Matter Before You Visit
I know what happens when you meet me.
I tilt my head.
I wobble toward you.
I breathe warm puppy breath into the space between us.
And just like that, thinking gets harder.
That’s why the questions matter before you visit.
Puppies Make Decisions Emotional
This isn’t a flaw.
It’s biology.
Once you’re in the room with me, your nervous system shifts.
You imagine walks.
You imagine names.
You imagine life together.
At that point, it becomes very difficult to notice things that don’t feel quite right.
Not because you’re careless.
Because you’re human.
The Questions Protect Both of Us
Asking questions ahead of time creates distance.
Distance makes it easier to think clearly.
It lets you notice:
- how the breeder responds
- whether they welcome curiosity
- whether they talk about temperament and care, not just availability
- whether they rush you or give you space
Those things matter long before you ever see my face.
Once You’re There, It’s Harder to Pause
When you’re sitting on the floor with a puppy in your lap, pausing feels almost impossible.
You don’t want to disappoint anyone.
You don’t want to walk away.
You don’t want to imagine leaving without me.
That’s why preparation comes first.
It gives you permission to step back if something doesn’t feel right.
It gives you language when emotions are loud.
This Checklist Is Your Anchor
The checklist isn’t there to interrogate anyone.
It’s there to support you.
You can:
- print it out
- fill it in on your phone
- use it on a tablet or desktop
You can tick quietly.
You can pause.
You can leave things blank.
It’s not about getting full marks.
It’s about noticing patterns.
Choosing Carefully Is an Act of Kindness
Not just to you.
To me.
Where I come from shapes how the world feels to me later.
How stress was handled.
How safety was taught.
How humans responded when things weren’t perfect.
Those early experiences stay in my body.
One Quiet Reminder Before You Download
You don’t owe anyone a decision on the spot.
Not a breeder.
Not your excitement.
Not the puppy in front of you.
Asking questions first doesn’t make you difficult.
It makes you thoughtful.
And thoughtful humans are usually the ones dogs feel safest with.
Take the checklist.
Read it before you visit.
Let it hold your thinking steady when my ears try to distract you.
I understand.