Advice about getting a puppy?

I am thinking about getting a puppy and I have never had my own pet before.





What should I consider when getting a puppy? where are the best places to get a puppy? Any help would be appreciated, ThanksAdvice about getting a puppy?
Here is a good website that gives you information on training and issues that come with getting a puppy:


http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/care.htm





You can get a dog anywhere! Do you know the breed you want? If you do you can check online for REPUTABLE breeders. Don't buy from those like puppies4you.com sites. BYB up the wahzoo. NEVER buy from a petstore, they ALL come from puppy mills. I asked once where their pups came from and they told me reputable breeders, and I asked the breeder where I got my Dachshund pup from if she would EVER sell a pup to a petstore and she said never.


Here is a little something on good/bad breeders:


http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/鈥?/a>





Purebred vs Mixed breed:


http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/tutoria鈥?/a>





Also, if you want a mix try looking for a shelter near you:


http://www.petfinder.com Click on -state/provid. under SHELTERS to find a list of shelters in your state. (You can also get purebred dogs in Rescues too, but for alot cheaper).





If you go to a shelter they can match a dog to your personality. So you won't get a dog that is too hyper or too lazy for you. Some reputable breeders will also try to match a pup to you also. (thats what mine did)





Good luck in finding a pup!





EDIT: look for a GOOD dog food. So you won't ever have to be worried about the food recall. I feel my dogs Innova and it has no by products and no fillers.





There is also Canidae, Innova, California Natural and Karm:


http://www.naturapet.com/





Also you can get Blue Buffalo at your local petstore which is really good too and for alot less than Innova.


http://www.bluebuff.com/





There is also Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul:


http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssou鈥?/a>





TimberWolf Organics:


http://timberwolforganics.com/





Canidae:


http://www.canidae.com/





Those are the BEST dog foods out there!


The WORST is Iams and Ol' Roy .. its like feeding your dog junkfood. Its horrible. Stay away from those. If you feed your dog one of the food I recommended you will have a VERY healthy dog.





Hope that helped!Advice about getting a puppy?
try your local vet for all of the above.don't forget a puppy is for life not just for Easter
Here's the best place to start:


http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/buying/
It's probably better to buy a well-trained dog, or one from a shelter. You should have a large yard. Don't have too much grass or dirt, cause it WILL dig. It's also best if you get an invisible fence, to help train. You won't want it eating up things in your garden, so a Green Fence would be good. The breed might be harder, but for first buyers... I'd say a Golden or a Lab. I have a Golden and two beagles, but I'd say beagles are more for experienced people. Set up a room, like a living room, and put towels and blankets everywhere for the first few days in case it has to go to the bathroom. It's always best to start on one room; not the whole house. It should be introduced to a room it will always or almost always be welcomed to. You shouldn't introduce it to a room it won't be welcomed to; it'll just confuse it. Keep it on one story first until it's used to them.








How to choose a puppy: Make sure the dog has a good temperment and is under control. If you can't control it, it will disbehave; they can sense fear. Hope this helps. Good luck with your new dog!
look around and ask breeders what they plan, maybe they can sell you a quality pedigree puppy, never by from a puppy mill/farm place or shop. Maybe give a homeless dog a home? Go to a local shelter? make enquiries and take your time. Find out about vaccinations and neutering, and worming. Consider carefully the breed, cocker spaniels are biddable, happy and easily trainable if you've never had a dog before. Don't go for a powerful guard dog breed. They are harder work as you have to make sure you are the pack leader! and this is not easy if you have never done it before. You should find out about obedience classes near you and expect to spend 15 mins or so a day on training.
parson terrier , jack russel , jack russel terrier chewaw , germansnowzer .


These are all small dogs the wont grow to big


but if you want a big dog you should get a labredor , germanshepard , rotwiller but if i had to choose any dog out of all of these i would choose a labredor.
you should first research the breed you are going to buy. if they are known o have a lot of energy, you need to ask yourself, can i handle a dog that never stops jumping on me? am i committed to train it and fulfill its needs?


you must always exercise your dog every single day, get its shots (three times and then once a year), worm it, neuter or spay it and give it heart worm tablets every month. you need to consider the costs of all of this and if your pup gets sick (which it will be more prone to when it is young), can you afford the vet bills?


thats about all i can fish out atm.


also dont buy your dog from a pet store, buy it from a respected breeder, the newapaper or the shelter. pet store puppies come from puppy mills where their parents are forced to continuously breed so he pups can be sold to pet stores across the country. search up 'puppy mills' in youtube for more information.





mel
My advise is that if this is your first pet, don't get a puppy.... raising a puppy is worse than raising a child... Hint: go to a shelter, or Petco, or Petsmart, and look at the adult dogs that are for adoption there. Ask for advise --- all of those people want you to be matched with a dog you will adore, and that will adore you..... They are already pre screened for temperament, most already housebroken, all trained, all have all those very expensive shots, and those people really know their dogs, and you will have a pleasant experience. Puppies are unknown quantities.. And you have a year or more of housebreaking, (one colossal inconvenience at best, and a real mess at worst) puppies chew up furniture, pee on it, eat things that require emergency abdominal surgery, and require your constant attention.... And there is no guarantee that that critter will be much like what you see at age 2 when the temperament is fully formed. ask any vet, ask any one who has worked with dogs....... yadadyadyadyadya
It depends whether you want a pedigree or not, but the best place to find a reputable breeder is through Petplan, one of the largest pet insurance companies in the country. They have a telephone no to call for a list of reputable breeders in your area which is 0800 072 4411. We have used them for both our dogs, a West Highland White Terrier and a Scottish Terrier. Be prepared to pay around 拢500 or more for a pedigree depending on the breed and be prepared to travel a fair distance as it can be difficult to find puppies locally, particularly of the most popular breeds such as Westies.





If you have never had a dog before be prepared to be amazed how they can insinuate themselves into your heart in a very short while. Make sure you get them chipped. Our Westie is an experienced escapologist and many is the time we have had to scour the neighbourhood, but we have always managed to retrieve him, but it would break our hearts if we didn't.
A puppy is ALOT of work......do you the time to train it? Have the money for vet bills, food, toys, meds, training classes??





Do TONS of reaserch on different breeds.
The absolute best place ever to get a dog is the shelter. Don't just go to one shelter and give up there are many around. You should consider the size of your home and yard and how much time you can spend with it daily. A smaller dog like a yorkie terrier fits ina smaller home. A Dalmation needs lots of excerise.


~I am glad you've decided to get woman's best friend, have fun!!!
-how big is your house?


-how big is your yard?


-how long will the dog be left home alone?


-will you crate the dog?


-are you looking for a larger or smaller breed?


-how much time are willing to take out from your day to house train the dog?


-would barking be a problem?


-what about shedding?


-are you interested in a dog with excessive, moderate or a low amount of energy?


-are there young kids in your house? with little kids dogs that generally have temperment problems could be a bad mix





get from a breeder that knows what they are doing.. it may cost you a lot more but it's worth it in the end. petstores are often supplied from puppymills


http://stoppuppymills.org/





this quiz can help you select a breed


http://us.eukanuba.com/eukanuba/en_US/js鈥?/a>
I hope you have loads of fun with your new dog.





Have you thought about approaching one of the breed rescue societies for a dog? That way you would be giving a lovely home to a dog that needs it and you should still be able to get a young dog, and of the breed that you want.





alternatively check the kennel club website, breed clubs and reputable web sites - make sure the breeder has had both the parents health checked and please don;t buy from a pet shop or puppy farm....
You need to ask yourself do you want a larger or small. When I am looking for a puppy. I check to see how the puppy is being raised. If the puppy stays outside from birth they are harder to potty train and to have as a house dog. If the puppy stays inside, more than likely the person breeding the dog doing some sort of potty training with the puppies. Allergies is another thing if you have alot of allergies you don't want a puppy that sheds alot or has alot of hair.
I always give the same advice, boring I know! Visit a dog show, what better place to talk to experts in a specific breed and find out the pros and cons of owning different breeds. Most owners will be honest about their chosen breed and can point you in the direction of breeders. When you find a breed then a breeder they will, in the majority of cases, guide you through looking after your dog. If they don't offer help, at any time of day or night, don't buy from them they're only interested in the money.


Good luck
A few things to consider (there are many more besides these):





- where you live (house or apartment? do you have a yard? if you don't have a yard, you'll need to walk to dog every day. do you go to school or work? you may have to rearrange your schedule for a dog.)





- cost (the animal itself will cost money. then you have vet bills, dog food, dog toys, etc.)





- training (money and work. puppy needs house-broken, obedience classes, etc.)





- commitment (a small dog will live 15 years on average. a larger dog will live around 10 years on average. are you prepared to take care of the dog for that long?)





--





If you do decide to get a dog, the best places would be either a reputable breeder (NOT a puppy mill or 'backyard breeder'), a breed rescue, or an animal shelter. One of the worst place to get a puppy is a petstore.





Also, don't rule out getting an adult dog. Adult dogs are usually potty trained, and have some behavioral training. Also, you get to skip the ';chew on everything'; stage of puppies. Yes, puppies are cute, but they are only puppies for such a short time in their life.
There are many things to consider. First a puppy will be with you for anywhere from 10-20 yrs depending on the breed. It will only be a cute adorable puppy for a small portion of it's life. Puppy's require a great deal of time for training and socialization. Puppy's can be very destructive and chew up destroy pee and poop everywhere. For basic care you are looking at monthly costs associated with food, vaccinations, grooming, toys, leashes, collars, spaying/neutering. Emergency illnesses or accidents can run you into thousands of dollars. Dogs require time and can't be left for long periods of time. If you take any vacations you must find a family member or pet sitter or boarding facility to care for your dog while you are gone. But if you are prepared for a lifetime commitment to caring for a new dog, it can be one of the greatest joys in your life.


As for where you get a puppy, your local animal shelter is a great choice. You can save a pup's life and acquire your new dog for a small amount of money. If you plan on showing and breeding, then you should research the breed and local breeders and find a breeder that is responsible and caring.
I always recommend the local animal shelters for dogs/cats. I guess what kind of dog you get is really up to you but you have to take into consideration the type and size of the dog compared to your current living conditions and lifestyle. Large breeds obviously need alot of room, small lap dogs need lots of attention, Beagles and such need lots of exercise, etc. Do your homework before making a decision. Every breed is different in their own way and has different needs. Many mixed breed older dogs make wonderful pets also. They're already housebroken (most of the time) and they're just happy to have a second chance at life. Good luck in your hunt for the perfect pup!!
Start with area. What are your surroundings? Big city, Urbanite, Small town, or Back woods country? This can determin the size of your puppy after they get full grown. Next, do you have children and how old. How about the training for the puppy, trained protection (guard dog) or family companion. Are you single parent, alone, married ( using the puppy as a child) or a full family. Would recommend getting a mixed breed. They tend to be more loyal and easier for any type of training you might have for them.


I drive a truck and have a Jack Russell mix as my guard dog (certified noise maker), and great road companion.
Well...you said you did your research....which is great.


Check with a local vet about breeds and good breeders in your area.


Also... watch for local dog shows...there are tons of information to be had there.


Contact your local Kennel club or training studio..they usually know good contacts.


The local humane society will also be able to advise you on good breeders and breeds...and they also have many wonderful dogs there that thru no fault of their own have found themselves homeless.


STAY AWAY FROM PET STORES!!!


Their animals are for the most part from puppy mills..and they are sick and diseased. They pray on your sympathies when you look at those poor little ones huddling in the cage...don't think you are ';rescueing it';...you are ';supporting'; an evil that should be outlawed.
a dog home
The very best place to get a puppy is from a responsible breeder if you want to get a purebred dog, or a breed rescue group if you are interested in a purebred dog but perhaps have not interest in showing your dog or breeding your dog, or the local animal shelter if you are interested in a loving companion who would just love to have a forever home. Here's some guidelines:


1) Responsible breeders: that means you would first have to decide on a dog breed you are interested in. Go to AKC's website at www.akc.org and follow their survey that helps you find a dog breed that might best fit your desires. Then look on the AKC website for the national parent club for that breed. Call or contact them and ask for their Breeder Referal person and ask that person to recommend a breeder near you.


2) Breed rescue groups: do a search on the internet for specific breed rescue organizations and contact them. For instance, my breed is American Eskimos. The rescue group handling most of our rescue animals is Heart Bandits.


3) Call your local animal shelter and tell them what size, what age, what type of dog you are interested in and see what's available.


And good luck! I admire your willingness to do research before jumping into getting a dog!
First, research many, many breeds. Particularly keep in mind the function for which the breed was originally developed. This will be the key to the dog's temperament, activity level, ease of training. Then, think of your own situation and lifestyle. Do you have a house with a yard? Are you home during the day or away for long hours? Are you an athletic person? Try to match the information you find while researching the breeds to your SELF and you will find which breed is right for you. Getting a dog because you like it's looks can be a BIG mistake.


Next you'll want to decide whether you'd like to rescue an older, possibly already trained dog or do the hard work yourself and raise a puppy. If you'd like to rescue, you can search www.petfinder.com by breed and location. If you'd like to purchase a puppy, you can find a responsible breeder through the Breed's Parent Club at www.akc.org





Here are some suggested questions one can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible:





1. Is she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of her breed Parent Club?





2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time %26amp; money to prove the quality of her breeding stock through competition?





3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances?





4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family?





5. Have the sire %26amp; dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip %26amp; Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED)





6. Is she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line?





7. Does she have a Sales Contract?





8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain


age?





9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter).





10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?
well firs you have to have a garden (the bigger the better)!