If you make the decision to adopt a puppy, you are about start a fun adventure. There is a lot to keep in mind when choosing a new puppy. This is a guide about choosing a puppy.
I have read so many times on here where people can't understand why their 3, 4, 5, or even 6 month old puppy isn't totally house trained yet. Do some research. Would you be surprised to find your 12-24 month old child still needs diapers? No, you wouldn't. If you'll do some research you'll find that a puppy is not totally trained either until it's around 2 years old. It takes a lot of time, patience, persistence, and, most importantly, understanding on your part.
People need to do a lot of research into the breed they want before they get one. Not all breeds are right for all people. Some breeds are definitely not right except for a specific type of person. Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, to name a few, are all wonderful dogs. But they need a specific type of person to be able to handle them successfully. A lot of small dogs are the same way. Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, most terriers for that matter, and other breeds need the right type of person.
So do a lot of research before buying a puppy. Are you willing to put at least 2 years into housebreaking and other training? And to continue the training throughout their lives?
Don't buy a dog because he's a cute puppy. "Cute puppyhood" only lasts a few months. And don't buy him because he looks like a good watch dog or because someone else has one and he looks like a good dog. Each person is different and so is each dog.
Research the different breeds a lot before deciding which one would be good for you and your family. Research online, but also talk to respectable breeders, too, and not just breeders who are in the business to make money. If a breeder will sell you a puppy without learning about you and your family as people, then they aren't the ones to ask. A good breeder cares about who gets their dogs and will ask a lot of questions before allowing you to buy one. Those are the ones to talk to when researching.
Once you've done all this, and had a good talk with yourself about the type of person you are, then you'll be able to make an informed decision on the type of dog that is best for you and your family. There are plenty of breeds (and mixes) out there, so there is one for everybody. Once you've decided and have gotten one, please realize that the training (housebreaking and obedience) doesn't happen overnight. Training must be kept up throughout his life. You will have a friend for life, and there is no better relationship than that between a person and his pet.
Source: Many many years of pet ownership.
By Cricket from NC
For those of you who just acquired a puppy or are planning to get one soon, please be sure to research the breed that you are interested in. You may not realize it, but not every breed is suitable for every person, family and lifestyle. Say you fell in love with a beautiful red Viszla puppy, but you live in an apartment downtown and work ten to fifteen hours a day.
Consider that this breed of dog needs a great deal of exercise and it would be detrimental to the dog to keep it locked in your apartment all day only to be walked for a potty break once in the late evening. Unless you can walk this dog for at least 45 minutes in the morning, come home at lunch and walk it again, then in the evening go for a run for an hour, perhaps this dog isn't for you. You might consider getting an aquarium and fill it with exotic fish.
Consider the needs of the breed and your lifestyle. Consider the breed if you have small children or elderly parents that live with you or if you are elderly. Some breeds are natural pullers such as Siberian Huskies and Malamutes. These dogs can pull a child or elderly person right to the ground and possibly drag them down the pavement. These dogs are very strong and were bred to pull sleds. They do make great companions, but remember, the pulling instinct is very strong and extra attention must be paid to this.
The two most important and vital issues that I cannot mention enough are: training and exercise. The number one reason for death in dogs is bad behavior. Dogs that don't get the obedience training they desperately need wind up with behavioral problems and the owner gets frustrated with the dog and the dog ends up in a shelter or rescue and invariably, put to death.
Dogs behave like dogs, not like humans. Jumping, barking, digging, and chewing are natural activities in dogs. When humans don't know how to train the dog "not" to do these things, the dog loses its home. Also, dogs need exercise and some breeds need lots of it. A tired dog is a happy dog and more likely to learn. If you don't have the time or patience to train and exercise a dog, please consider getting a different type of animal such as a cat. Remember, training is a lifelong process for a dog. They don't just learn it in seven weeks and that's it. They must be reminded constantly for your sanity and the life of the dog.
By Sandra from Orlando, FL
Do your homework! Its obvious from some of the questions on Thrifty Fun that new dog owners, while caring and loving of their pups, have no idea what is normal dog behaviour, how puppies react to being separated from their mothers/introduced to a new environment and how and when to start training. All this information is available in books and on the net. So before you get your dog do some research. Know what to expect and how to deal with the little puddles and problems that arise with a new dog! This will prevent unprepared owners from deciding they cannot deal with the realities of dog ownership and leaving dogs ignored and locked in the yard, or the dogs ending up in an animal shelter.
Firstly look at what you have to offer the dog. There is no point in getting a large hound, bred to run, if you live in an inner city apartment and don't like walking. Likewise, the larger breed of guarding or fighting dog may turn out to be the sweetest, gentlest dog you know - but statistically it is more likely to attack visitors and new additions to your family. A dog attack can disfigure a child for life and most owners say their dog had never shown signs of aggression before it turned on a child. Cut the odds of this happening by choosing your breed carefully. If you don't need a guard dog why buy one?
Where will you get your dog? Look for reputable breeders who care about their dogs and are not breeding for show characteristics at the expense of the dogs natural conformation. If the breed of dog is prone to congenital abnormalities be aware of this and have it vet checked before purchase. If you are looking for a companion animal a friendly mut from the local animal shelter may be the ideal way to go.
Be prepared to spend money, even if the puppy is free. Besides food, your dog will need annual immunisations, and veterinary care is expensive, especially as the dog gets older. Unless you are buying a pure bred dog for breeding purposes have your dog neutered early - allowing a dog to have 'just one litter' is not necessary and allowing more unwanted puppies to be brought into the world to fill up more animal shelters/be put to sleep is just irresponsible.
We discovered that the cost of a puppy at our pound is $35. It is more expensive at the SPCA ($85) but includes the cost of neutering or spaying. I was shown a way to quickly discover if the pup has been abused. Put your hand above his head in a normal backward motion as if you were going to pet him except don't touch him. If he flinches when you do that, you are likely looking at a dog that has been mistreated.
By Bev Sobkowich
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