When Choosing Your New Puppy

Your long term goal in getting a new puppy is to have a happy and long lasting relationship with your new puppy. An important step to reaching that goal is making sure that you have the chosen the puppy that is right for you. It is in your best interest to take the time to find a puppy that meets your expectations and fits into any time constraints that you might have. This is a very important step to assure that you choose the type of puppy that will fit properly into your life.
Do You Have Children In Your Household?
My son was 7 months old when we brought home a 7 weeks old Golden

Retriever. I had no idea what I was in for. I suddenly had 2 babies in the house. Even though I knew our new puppy was going to take a lot of time and work, I was not prepared for the amount of work that was involved. I had my hands full! If you have a small child, think carefully before you bring a puppy into your home. They have to be watched over very carefully. A young child is just as likely to hurt a puppy as a puppy is to hurt a small child. It takes time and patience to teach both of them how to treat each other. A lot of patient teaching and keeping a close watch the two little ones will help prevent the biting, roughhousing, and pulling hair and ears etc…
Most trainers and breeders recommend that homes with toddlers should not get a toy breed because of the risk of the puppy getting squeezed, dropped, or stepped on by the young child. However, if you already have your heart set on a toy breed for your child to grow up with, pick one with a gentle disposition and an easy-going personality. Some toy breeds tend to be a little aggressive toward small children so choose carefully.
Level of Protection Desired from Puppy When Grown
Most dog owners are not looking for a dog to literally protect them from danger. For the most part dog owners are simply content to have a dog that will alert them if someone is in the yard or approaching their house. Even a small dog can give you a sense of security. They are like having a living breathing alarm system. There are many smaller breeds that will be great for this. Dachshunds and most toy breeds are excellent watchdogs. Terriers are also great for the job.
If you are looking for a dog that has the size and physical appearance that can truly protect you, you might think about getting a herding breed or a working breed. Dogs from these breeds are protective of their owners and have the looks that deter burglars. They are also highly skilled and easily trainable.
Again, if you have small children, you might consider doing some research on labradors or retrievers. They are known for being great with children and are very protective of the children they love, if the need ever arises.
Social Time Spent With Puppy
One of the reasons why dogs are such popular pets is because they are naturally social in nature. This is part of what makes them such great companions. Keep this in mind; dogs do not do well when kept in the backyard for long periods of time. This is especially true for puppies, since they require more supervision, more interaction, and regular training to be a more socialized and civilized members of the family. If this is something that has to be done, it is in you and your puppy’s best interest to take the time to exercise him and to give him the attention that he really needs. If possible bring him in the house with you when you are home.
Some breeds are more adaptable to this kind of living situation. Most terriers, for example, find ways to entertain themselves given enough space for them to roam around. The same is true for Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes.

Tags: new puppy, Puppy

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 at 10:43 PM and is filed under Puppy Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.