Why doesn't anyone believe us??
By Merrilee Finch-Cirtwell.
Merrilee has owned, bred and handled PONs for almost 12 years. She and her husband reside in Ocala, Florida and just recently finished their 19th AKC Champion.
Whenever we speak with potential new PON puppy owners we make it a point to try to talk them out of the pup by giving them all "the bad news" first. We attempt to convey that this dog is not for everyone and that it needs a tremendous amount of socialization and consistent, positive training. We NEVER get past this point before the potential new owners tell us how many dogs they've trained and socialized and that this won't be a problem. "But, you've never had a PON before!" They'll say, we even hired a trainer to come to the house to train him. "No, you don't understand. That won't work! He needs to be around as many people, environments and animals as possible when he is training." I know, at this point, most buyers figure they'll just placate us so they can get the pup and do what they've always done. It is one of the reasons that most PON breeders are so selective about placing pups.
Cute as all get out, the PON has a very strong personality, with a degree of aloofness and some deep territorial instinct. Most of them love to bark! Combined, these characteristics often lead to misunderstandings and even overt conflicts between the dog and its (inexperienced) owner.
The PON is a "thinking" dog, even as a pup, so it will quickly figure out just how much it can push it's owner, either by false submission or by force. If the owner is not firm and consistent, with a lot of patience and perseverance, the PON will take advantage, especially a strong willed male, who will exhibit behaviors such as pulling on the leash, ignoring commands and may even fight for leadership. One has to remember that this breed was traditionally used for herding and guarding purposes, so it's work required a certain degree of independence, lots of stamina and toughness. They are alert and tireless…nothing escapes their attention.
If the PON is not challenged mentally and physically it can become bored, which can bring on excessive barking, destructive behaviors, hyperactivity or apathy, often accompanied by scratching itself badly.
A PON needs a strong, loving, intelligent owner...one who loves to groom, by the way! He is not a mindless follower of your commands. You can see him thinking!! (I recently had an owner tell me it was very intimidating to have a dog smarter than she was.)
In conclusion, if, as a breeder, you have picked the right owner for this spectacular creature, you will have made a life long friend, because, as a result of your careful breeding and selection, they now live with, "the cutest, smartest, funniest, loving, charming dog in the entire world", who has changed their lives in ways they never dreamed possible. I received an e-mail yesterday from a recent new owner. It started out with, "I know you said the PON isn't for everyone, but he sure is for us!!" Makes a breeders heart do flip flops!!
Did I mention their incredible memories or their comic antics? I've got some stories you won't believe. We'll save that for another time.