I would like to share some very important tips on how to pick out your new beloved family member that will fit into your lifestyle….
FIRST STEP
Research, Research, Research…check out the different types of breeds that are out there and find out about their temperament, activity requirements and training capabilities. Even if you plan to adopt a mix breed, understanding the variety of the breeds in your mix will help make a better decision of whether that is the right dog to adopt or purchase.
SECOND STEP
Consider Age…..Puppy or Adult dog? Do you have time for potty training, command training, crate training? Do you want to deal with all of those crazy puppy behaviors such as; chewing, nipping and yipping? If you think you are getting a puppy that will grow to be 5 lbs big, well think again, you really don’t know, your puppy could grow to 10 lbs, are you going to be ok without truly knowing the exact height and weight of your new puppy as they grow into an adult dog? Oh, and don’t forget those horrible teen years your puppy grows into, if you think the puppy phase is bad, just wait.
An adult dog (2 years or older) is exactly well, what you see is what you get kind of deal…the height and weight, the personality, the temperament, must likely potty trained, knows commands….easy, breezy….there still might be a few things you will need to work on with an older dog, but much much easier to deal with.
Don’t get me wrong, puppies are very, very fun! They are adorable and if you have the time, training is a GREAT way to bond with your puppy! I just want you to consider all that it takes when getting a puppy vs. an adult dog.
THIRD STEP
Pet Stores:
Where do you get your new beloved fur baby? NEVER EVER EVER A PET STORE…pet stores deal with brokers who get their puppy’s from puppy mills….don’t believe me? Ask the pet store for the breeders name, address and phone number, if they are not willing to supply that information to you, well, guess what, their puppies are from puppy mills….don’t get sucked in with the guilt and even think “oh, but I will be saving this puppy”. You are NOT saving a puppy. In order to shut these torturous, horrendous, filthy, evil mills down, it starts with us NOT purchasing a puppy from a pet store. If you do, you are forcing the parents to endure more hardship of producing another litter after litter after litter. Pet store owners only care about filling the new space with another puppy mill pup that just opened up with your purchase of that puppy.
www.Petfinder.com:
Check out www.petfinder.com a FANTASTIC resource to look for purebreds or mix puppies or dogs that are in need of their forever home.
Craigslist:
Craigslist can be an ok place to find a dog, however tread carefully here. Unfortunately, people that are putting their pets on Craigslist for adoption are usually withholding something about the reason why they are getting rid of their pet.
Newspaper:
Do NOT purchase a puppy from the newspaper, people that post ads in the paper are back yard breeders, they are very close in line with a puppy mill. Look under the AKC for professional breeders (http://www.akc.org/breeders/index.cfm?nav_area=breeders), this is a great way to get in touch with a professional breeder that breeds dogs for the LOVE of that breed and not money. Although they still charge top dollar for their puppies blood line, after you factor all the care that goes into these puppies and genetic testing, rarely does a professional breeder walk away with money in their pocket….back yard breeders and Puppy Mills always are making a profit and that is all they care about.
FOURTH STEP
Evaluate your lifestyle….yes it is all about you! Are you high energy or lower key? Do you prefer to be a couch potato and just sitting and reading a good book? Or do you enjoy biking and running? Do you work long hours (don’t even think about crating your dog for over 6 hours), you will need to consider hiring someone to come in and take care of your dog mid-day or take your dog to doggie daycare, is this in your budget? These are all things you will need to consider when adopting or purchasing your new puppy or adult dog. The breed and age will play a BIG BIG role in this decision. Jack Russell Terrier = LOADS OF ENERGY! Great for a runner and very very active person or family! Shih Tzu = Low key, low energy, great for a daily walk, and enjoys snuggling with you and a good book.
FIFTH STEP
Money, Money, Moneeeeyy! Yes, these little buggers can be expensive…..if you are on a college student budget, this is NOT the time to get a dog! You have to factor in the purchase price of your new fur kid. These are just a few things you need to consider in your budget; vet expense, training, crate, food, treats, doggie daycare, leash, collar and toys oh my! This is adding up fast! Wait, what if your dog needs any type of special care and you don’t find out until much later that your dog is a “medically special needs” fur child….can you afford this? Make sure you are planning out your budget and finances to make sure you can afford your new fur baby for the next 15-20 years.
I hope these five important steps assist you in finding the right breed, age, temperament of a dog for you. And that you have taken in all the considerations of your lifestyle and budget when making a life time commitment to your dog…..in all of this, the return and reward you will get from your beloved pet will never end!
They will faithfully greet you, love on you, never ask questions of you nor judge you! You can’t ask for a better friend or companion can you?
