“Ideally a puppy should be in a position where he can easily see the vehicle the potential owner is driving. Good cars tend to mean good money, which should translate into nice food and nice home. Avoid people in old beat-up cars, especially if they look vague when asked questions about owning a husky (of course, if they are Volvo drivers sounding vague will be just normal). And dress can be important too-people who look too well groomed might be the type to freak out when you shed fur or start your horticulture lessons in the backyard.

Most importantly listen closely to the conversation between your breeder and the potential owner. Your breeder will often try to weed out bad owners but the responsibility lies with you as well. Questions like “How often should you feed him” are bad as well as people who think that a long walk is when they have left their car at the bottom of the driveway. Any indication that the owner has little time to exercise you and has little room at home should start the alarm bells ringing. As should reference to having another dog already with a name like “Fang” or “Killer”. Stupid references to “I’ve always wanted a one of those snow dogs” or “can they really pull a sled?” are an obvious sign of ignorance. You were warned!

Ultimately it is up to you to decide if a potential owner looks inviting or not. So here’s a few tips from the Bela Husky on how to behave;

· Never have an empty bladder when potential owners are coming. After all, if someone you don’t take a liking to puts you on their lap there’s nothing like a little soaking to put them off. On the other hand, if they appeal to you show them how clever you are by squirming off their lap in time to do your pee(you can introduce them to the harsh realities of toilet training after they get you home).
· If the owner looks undesirable make sure you become the puppy cowering at the back of the litter (but don’t overdo it or they might take pity on you). If the person looks good be sure to worm your way to the front without looking too overbearing or aggressive.
· Always spend time practicing cute expressions (don’t be afraid to flash those blue eyes if you have them) – and grumpy ones for undesirable types.
· If a potential owner brings a toy with them (or picks up one of your favourites) then put in some quality interaction time with them that will be sure to melt hearts. Unless, of course, it is the potential bad owner, then you have the permission to look bored and lethargic.
· If people are potential bad owners, scratch yourself heaps. Either they’ll think you’ve got fleas or some kind of skin condition
· Remember-nice human fingers are good to lick-bad human fingers are just the right size for sharp puppy teeth.

I trust that has helped. And remember-if all the above fails and you go to a bad home the first week or so is all important as being the optimal time to be returned to the security of your breeder. Go on a hunger strike. Pee everywhere. Poo everywhere. Be as irritating as possible. Cry and howl all night. Chew only the most expensive furniture. It’s your life and you don’t want to waste it…”