Choices, Puppy or Older Dog

How to decide whether you want a cute puppy or older dog. They make wonderful companions and pets for families, however, they will be a permanent part of your life for a long time.

To start off you need to decide if you want a puppy or a full-grown dog. A puppy needs to be housebroken and given obedience training. With an older dog sometimes you can see what you are getting. An older dog may already be housebroken, maybe they've had some obedience training, are less destructive and have house manners. They may, however, have some behavioral or health problems.

Before you go out and buy that puppy or dog ask yourself some questions first. What breed fits your lifestyle? Do you want a large dog or a lap dog?

Can you afford a dog? Remember, besides food you have vaccinations and maybe vet bills.

Do you have the patience to train a puppy? Maybe an adult fully-trained dog would be better.

Do you have space for a dog? If so what size of dog would fit best?

Do you have children and what age are they? You need to consider the size of the dog because children can accidently injure some small dogs. Some dogs don't get along well with children.

Do you have time to exercise a dog? Some require a lot of exercise while some require very little.

Do you work all day? Some dogs don't do well if left alone all day.

Do you have other pets? Will they get along?

Some dogs need a lot of grooming while some require very little.

Decide what breed you want or are interested in and find out the temperament and characteristics of that breed. If buying a pure bred buy from a reputable dog breeder. Contact as many kennels as possible to learn all you can about a peculiar breed. Often a good breeder has a waiting list but they are the safest to buy from. JUST SAY NO TO PET STORES, Often puppy mills provide them and create very poor conditions which lead to behavior problems and perpetuate cruelty.

The health of the puppies is the most important thing. Breeders should provide you with the necessary papers that confirm the pup came from a health certified parent. Know what possible health issues the breed has that you want and question the breeder. A breeder should be available to answer all your  questions.

If you get an adult dog from a shelter they should have received preventive health care, spayed or neutered and checked for heartworm.