Choosing A First Puppy

So, you think you are ready for a puppy?

Before picking out a puppy, you really need to ask yourself, am I committed to this for the next 15 years of my life. You have got to think about exercise requirements. You have got to think about expense. You have got to think about grooming requirements. And you have got to think about size.

First, you have to consider your lifestyle. You can write down you 5 favorite hobbies, and ask yourself, "are these things I'm gonna want me puppy to be a part of?"

It's hard to estimate what your puppy will cost over its lifetime. You have got food. You have got to buy them a bed. You got to have your crate to train them properly. Leashes, supplies, vet bills... that being the expensive things.

Another thought is size. You have got to do your research and know what that puppy is going to grow into. The paws are a great indicator on how large your new puppy is going to become. Grooming can be time consuming; longer coats mean more care, so take that into consideration when picking your pooch.

Now, let's get your puppy!

You might want to think, how about rescuing a puppy from a shelter? You can save a life. Sixty percent of dogs that enter shelters are euthanized, simply because there is no one to adopt them. Adopting a dog from a shelter is also great fun. You might get a dog that looks like a dalmatian, but acts like a husky. There are some very simple tests you can do to help determine the temperment of your potential puppy. You can roll them on their back in a gentle way. Just see how they respond to handling, to lifting, and see how they react to other dogs. If your puppy is willing to be held, then you most likely have a people-oriented puppy. But if the puppy is wiggling, you should be prepared for a puppy that might be a training challenge, and would be more independent as it grows older, and may require the use of Dogtra products, such as the Dogtra Training Collars.

Five weeks is a good age to make a selection, because the puppy's personality is in full-bloom.

Whether you live in an apartment, or have tons of property, puppies need a stimulating environment. The right puppy can fit into any family. If you are a young and active couple. If you have small children. find a puppy that is even-tempered and social.

Try to determine early if your dog is motivated by food or play. This will help in its early training.

So, on a whole, puppies need a stimulating environment and lots of socialization. There is nothing more important than picking a puppy that fits in with your family and lifestyle. And the motto for training is early and often.