After you log-in, click on the 'Dog' tab.
First, search for the dog,
entering in the registered name, sex, registration number, owner's last name,
and/or birthdate. Then click 'Search'. This is to prevent multiple entries for
the same dog. If the dog is not already listed in the database, you will see
that the 'Add New' button becomes clickable. Click it to add the dog.
Then, you may enter the identification information (AKC registration, microchip)
Click 'Save' and the dog will
be saved into the database.
You may now continue to add information by clicking on the orange tabs. To add the litter your dog came from, you must again search for the litter first to see if it has already been placed into the database. If it has, you can add it to your dog's profile by clicking on the green plus sign beside the litter listing.
If the litter has not been placed into the database, you may add the information by clicking the 'Add New' button. Once you click that, you will be able to add the sire and dam (if they are not already listed in the database, you will need to add them as you did your own dog). Your puppy contract should provide the parents' AKC numbers.
This part can be a little
tricky. Once you add the sire and/or dam to the database, if they are not
already listed, you must go back to the 'Litter' tab, search for the litter,
then click the 'Add New' button to create the entry. Since the sire and dam are
now in the database, you will be able to search and select them by clicking the
green plus sign.
After this is done, you may
search again for your dog. The database will pull up your dog and you can select
by clicking on the name. To add the newly added litter information, go once
again to the 'Litter' tab, search for the litter, and click the green plus sign.
The litter information has been added to your dog's profile.
The next orange tab in your
dog's database entry is the owner information. Click the 'Owner' tab, and you
will be asked to enter a last name, city/town, country, and/or state. Enter
whatever information you have, and click 'Search'. If the owner is already
listed in the database, you will be able to click the green plus sign to list
this person as the owner of this dog. If
they are not in the database, you can add them by clicking the 'Add New' button
that is now available. Once you have added the person, you will need to go back
to your dog's entry, click the 'Owner' tab, and search again for the owner and
click the green plus sign to add.
The rest of the information is
simpler to add. Under the 'Physical' tab, you will see that you just need to
enter in the information and click the 'Save' button. Same with the 'Behavior'
tab.
Under the 'Certifications' tab,
you may enter any health certifications for your dog. From the drop-down menu,
select 'New', and entry fields will appear for the certification. Enter in the
information, and click 'Save' and you have added the certification to your dog's
profile. Repeat as necessary.
Under the 'Health' tab, you can
add any health issues your dog has experienced. Adding a health issue is very
similar to how you added a health certification. Select 'New' from the drop-down
menu, and you will then be able to enter the information regarding the health
issue for your dog. Click 'Save' to save this information to your dog's profile.
Congratulations! You have
completed a database profile and made an important contribution the breed. Thank
you!
Once you have done this a time or two, it becomes much easier. You may expect to spend about 30-45 minutes on your first entry, maybe more if you have many certifications and/or health issues to add. You will spend less time the next time you do it.
If you do not have all the information the database asks for, it is ok, please still complete your entry with the information you do have. You can always add information later, and if someone else has the information you are lacking, they are able to add it to your dog's profile. I am sure we are all willing to help make this database a success.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Stepp
SMHC