Should I NEVER get my next dog vaccinated - even when it is a puppy? How do I make sure the breeder does not vaccinate it before I buy it?

Hi Ed,

My name is Michelle and I want to thank you for providing your knowledge to help people be better dog owners and to have happier dogs. I respect you highly and love how you "tell it like it is" without sugar coating anything.

I ordered one of your video tapes 12 years ago when I got my first German Shepherd to train him. Sadly, I had to have him put down last week. He was the best dog I ever had - with the help of your training methods. I'm still grieving and am not ready for another one yet but when I am ready, I want to make sure I have everything right.

I have been reading your articles online (haven't gotten to all of them yet) but I still have some questions.

First, I know vaccinations are not good. I stopped vaccinating my dogs 4 years ago. Should I NEVER get my next dog vaccinated - even when it is a puppy? If this is the case, how do I make sure the breeder does not vaccinate it before I buy it? And also, I'm thinking that by Illinois law all dogs have to have their rabies shot. Which I don't give a damn if it's the law or not (like I said my dogs haven't had them for the last 4 years), I just wanted to know what your thoughts were on that.

While I was growing up we never vaccinated our dogs but one of our dogs did get heartworms. What are your thoughts on heartworm prevention?

My last concern is on neutering. I only got my Shepherd neutered because I didn't want him going through the fence to try and mount a dog 3 miles down the road. Would like to know your thoughts on that also. If it is o.k. to get my next Shepherd neutered, what is the best age to do it?

Thanks for your time in reading this. You have alot more info than you did 12 years ago!! I just ordered some of your DVDs and I'm looking forward to studying them. Hope to hear from you soon.

Michelle