How To Handle Puppy Teething Troubles

When most people bring home their cute new puppies, the furthest thing from their minds is the stressful time of teething. Just as with babies teething, puppies will want to chew on everything they can get their mouth on. This can lead to total destruction of your belongings, but there are tried and true ways to help prevent this from happening, and help you and your pup get through the teething period with ease.

Many people bring home their new pup and leave them out to romp around the house when they're not home. Inevitably, this leads to chewing on shoes, books, socks, the couch, and any number of other things. The best way to prevent destructive chewing is to crate train your dog. To do this, you will need a crate that is just big enough for your dog to turn around in. Make the crate a safe and happy place for your dog. Provide him with stimulating toys while he is in the crate. Crate training your dog will not only prevent destructive chewing, but will also aid in potty training and create a positive and safe environment for your dog to be when you're not around. Some people think that keeping a dog in a crate when they're not around is cruel. This is not the case at all. Dogs by nature like small, darkened places and tend to feel very safe in crates. Almost all dog trainers today believe that crate training is a necessary and positive part of your puppy's development. If your dog is crated while you are not home, they will not have the opportunity to chew on your belongings and other harmful things such as power cords.

The next most important thing to teach your dog when he is teething is which toys are his and what is off limits. Purchase good things to chew on such as Kong toys or Bully Sticks. Kongs are made of tough rubber and can be filled with goodies such as peanut butter or cheese. They are excellent chew toys and wonderful for the teething period. Bully Sticks are 100% natural and 100% digestible dog chews that are low in fat and great for your dog to chew on. Other chew toys that could be used are Nylabones which are made out of solid hard plastic and have bumps on them to soothe teething gums or other toys made of hard rubber or plastic. Reinforce which toy is for your dog by giving him his chew toy and saying something like, "Here is your toy, good boy!" If your dog chooses something that he is not to chew on, take it away and replace it with one of his chew toys repeating, "This is your toy, good boy!" With persistence, he will learn what is his to chew on and what he is not to chew on.

Another important thing to train your dog during the teething period is bite inhibition. In packs of dogs, the mother or other dogs would teach this to the pups, but in a home situation, it is up to you. Teething puppies will put their mouths on you and you must teach them at an early age that this is not acceptable. Just as mentioned above, every time they exhibit mouthing behavior, you must redirect them to an acceptable chew toy. Another important factor in bite inhibition and limiting mouthing behavior is proper socialization. It is very important in this stage to take your dog to a puppy class or puppy play group. Many good trainers offer these services. When allowed to play with other pups, your dog will learn what is acceptable play behavior. The other dogs will help your dog to learn that biting is not appropriate. You must also socialize your dog to many different kinds of people and situations. This will help your dog to not be afraid of new things and will significantly lower the potential for biting.

By following the above advice as well as the advice of your veterinarian, you can rest assured that the teething period will be a positive learning period for you and your puppy.

Information On Spaying Or Neutering Your Puppy

Despite the obvious and much-documented benefits that come from the spaying and neutering America's dog population, there are those pet owners who still harbor some reservations about the whole process. Is the necessary surgery risky? Will the dog become lethargic and fat as a result? Will the dog be depressed? A little research into the procedures and effects of spaying or neutering will allay the fears of most dog owners and some may even be pleasantly surprised to find that their dog will actually benefit from the procedure for years to come.

What is Spaying and Neutering?

The terms "spaying" and "neutering" are used to describe those medical procedures performed on a dog in order to render it unable to reproduce. "Spaying" is used in reference to female dogs, while "neutering" is used when referring to a male.

When a female dog is spayed, the uterus and ovaries are removed. This prevents the dog from going into heat. When a male dog is neutered, the testicles are removed. Both procedures are done by veterinarian in a surgical environment. If there are no complications, then the dog can usually go home on the same day that the procedure is done.

The Community-Related Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Dog

The overpopulation of unwanted, domestic animals has become a huge problem in America. Animal shelters are overflowing with pets for which there are no homes and packs of homeless dogs can pose a health and safety hazard to the general public. Each year, over 4 million unwanted dogs and cats have to be euthanized (killed in a human manner) and that number is steadily growing. These unwanted animals don't just materialize from out of nowhere, however. They are the products of pets that were never taken in to be spayed or neutered by their owners.

For some dog owners, not having their pet spayed or neutered is simply a matter of laziness. They keep meaning to take their pet in, but time slips away; and, before they know it, their male dog has impregnated the dog next door or their female dog is expecting a litter of puppies. For other dog owners, the reasons for not having a dog fixed may be financial. Any surgical procedure, even for a pet, can be expensive. There are, however, low-cost spaying and neutering programs available. Check with your local humane society for information on qualifying for and utilizing them.

The Health and Behavioral Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Dog

Any risks associated with the surgical spaying and neutering procedures are far outweighed by the long-term health and behavioral benefits. In female dogs, the most obvious benefit is that there will be no litters of puppies and none of the health risks associated with that process. If your dog is spayed before she ever goes into heat, then the risk of her ever developing mammary tumors (malignant or benign) is almost completely erased. Furthermore, her risk of developing any reproductive organ cancers and infections (uterine and ovarian cancers or uterine infections) is obviously reduced significantly as well. If you wait until after her first heat cycle to have her spayed, then her chances of developing some of these conditions is almost doubled.

Without the mood swings, yelping and howling that a heat cycle brings on, your female dog will experience less stress. You'll also experience less stress by not having to deal with blood-stained carpet, bedding or furniture.

Your male dog will also enjoy many health benefits if you have him neutered. As with the female dog, if the neutering procedure is done early (before 6 months of age) the chances that your dog will develop reproductive-related cancer (i.e. penile cancer) or disease is just about cut in half. The danger of your dog getting struck by a car while in pursuit of a breeding partner is also eliminated.

Early neutering can also help control or altogether eliminate certain behavior in the male dog. Behaviors such as spraying, marking and the desire to run away are very much linked to a dog's hormones. Without such hormone production, your dog is less likely to develop these behaviors. Neutering your male dog could also render him easier to handle in social situations where other dogs are present. He will be less likely to show aggression toward other male dogs and will not be compelled to try and breed with an available female, even if she is in heat.

Puppy Mills, Pet Stores, Shelters and Breeders

There are many ways to acquire a new dog and some methods are definitely better than others. Puppy mills, pet stores, shelters and dog breeders are the most common sources of new pets for most people. Carefully examine the nature of each of these venues before buying a dog.

Puppy Mills

The term "puppy mill" refers to any breeding facility that breeds dog for profit only. Very little attention is paid to the animals and breed standards are not held to. In the worst of the puppy mills, dogs are stacked up in cages, are underfed and given very little medical care. The dogs are continually bred, heat cycle after heat cycle, giving the female dog little or no time to recover before she is impregnated once again. The conditions under which these dogs are kept and bred often produce dogs with minor to major behavioral and medical problems. Not all puppy mills are large facilities.

Even the "backyard breeder" who breeds dogs only for profit and not for the benefit of the breed is considered by many to be a puppy mill. The prices you'll pay to a puppy mill may be less than what you would have paid for a dog from a reputable breeder, but you may end up paying more in the long run anyway. Dogs from puppy mills are usually plagued with medical problems (resulting from a lack of proper medical care and malnutrition) that require an excessive amount of medical exams, shots and medication.

Pet Stores

No trip to the mall would be complete without a walk through the pet store, right? All of those cute little puppies, so excited to see you! It's a miracle that anyone ever makes it out of a pet store without taking one of those cuties home with them. The animals from a pet store might appear to be well cared for and the store's staff may vouch for the health and quality of their inventory, but the truth is usually something entirely different. The only source of dogs for today's pet store is the puppy mill. No reputable breeder would allow his or her dog to be displayed and sold in such a manner, so what other kind of breeder is left?

Shelters

If you don't really care about the breed of a dog and are simply looking for a companion animal, your local animal shelter is a great place to begin your search. Dogs of all ages and sizes are available. Many shelters allow you to play with a dog and spend some time with it before you make the final decision as to whether or not you want to adopt it - they want to make sure the fit is just right! For an adoption fee, you'll get a new dog that has been fixed, vaccinated and injected with a microchip.

Breeders

Reputable breeders are the best option if you're looking for a purebred puppy. A reputable breeder is one who works for the benefit of the breed, not for profit and who cares where his or her puppies end up. Expect to be questioned about your plans for the dog and don't be surprised if, after a conversation or two, the breeder decides that your home would not be the best one for their dog.

If you are approved by the breeder, you will probably have to sign some sort of contract in which you agree to: immediately spay or neuter a dog bought for companion purposes only; notify the breeder of any medical conditions that the dog develops; notify the breeder if you have to get rid of the dog so that he or she can find it a new home; and, breed your dog (if that's why you're buying it) in accordance with breed standards. The actual contract might include other stipulations as well.

This may seem a bit stringent, but the breeder is only trying to ensure the health and well-being of the animal. A pet you buy from a responsible, reputable breeder can be very expensive, but you'll know that your new addition to the family is as healthy as he can be and free of genetic defects. Where do you find a reputable breeder? Once you decide on the breed that's right for you, check with the relevant local and national breed clubs. They will be able to recommend a breeder in your area.

Making Your Home Puppy Proof

Puppies are super cute and so much fun to have around. They are filled with energy and curious about everything around them. It is your job as a responsible pet owner to puppy proof your house to make it safe from them and to protect your belongings.

The first thing you should do when puppy proofing your house is to go room to room on your hands and knees. Look at the things in your home from your puppy's perspective. Think about what is at that level that may be interesting to him. You may be surprised to find many things that are potentially dangerous that you never even thought of before.

One thing you should be aware of in your household is the location of electrical cords. Make sure to limit your puppy's access to these areas. Puppies can chew through cords and get electrocuted causing serious injury or even death. Wrap cords up and store them away or lay down rubber or plastic runners that can be purchased at most home supply stores.

Another potentially dangerous thing for puppies is your stairs. Small puppies have a hard time navigating up and down stairs and could fall down them and injure themselves. Stairs also lead to areas in your house that may be off limits. The best way to ensure that your puppy stays away from the stairs is to purchase baby gates, available at most department and pet supply stores.

Just as curious toddlers are, puppies are very curious about what is inside cabinets. Many people store cleaning supplies and personal care products in cabinets that can be accessible to puppies. These kinds of products contain harmful ingredients that can injure or kill your puppy. Make sure to either store these products in cabinets that are out of reach to puppies, or purchase plastic cabinet locks that are available at most department and pet supply stores.

Be aware of small objects that are located around the home, on coffee tables and other surfaces that are accessible to your puppy. Just as with small children, puppies can choke on items like coins, needles, jewelry and small toys. Make sure to keep these kinds of items out of your puppy's reach.

Puppies seem to be attracted to shoes and socks. They love to chew on them. Not only will this ruin your favorite shoes, if a puppy were to chew on and swallow a shoelace or a sock, it could get wrapped around their intestines causing serious injury or death. Make sure to store your shoes and socks out of reach of your puppy, and NEVER encourage them to chew on these items, no matter how cute it may be.

Always limit your puppy's access to the bathroom. Bathroom garbage is very tempting to chew on. If your dog were to swallow some dental floss or feminine products, this could be very harmful to them. Puppies also are curious about toilets. Small pups could fall in an open toilet and drown. Make sure to keep your bathroom door shut at all times, or install a baby gate at the entrance to your bathroom. The same can be said for the kitchen and kitchen garbage.

Open windows are another potential hazard to your puppy. Being very curious about the world around them, they could easily fall out of a window causing serious harm or death. On the ground floor, they could exit out of the window and get lost or run into the street. Be mindful of open windows when you are not directly supervising your puppy.

House plants are another concern when it comes to puppies. Most dogs are very attracted to plants and many household plants are toxic to animals and can cause nausea, vomiting, and in some cases, death. Always make sure to keep house plants away from your puppy's reach.

The best way to puppy proof your house is to crate train your puppy right away. You are providing him with a safe place to go whenever he wants to as well as a place to be safely contained when you are not able to directly supervise him. If you need more information about puppy proofing your home, consult your veterinarian or pet professional.

Puppy Hints

So you got a new puppy, now what? Do you know what kind of puppy you have? Playful? Protective? Outgoing? Shy? Well whatever puppy you have you can use these helpful puppy hints to connect with your new member of the family.

Just remember that if you want your new puppy to obey, respect, and love you then you need to never ever hurt your puppy. Your new puppy needs to feel safe and secure and if you hit him to punish him he will be to scared to obey you, which could lead to other behavior problems like house breaking. Make sure your children are not hitting the puppy too because he is more likely to bite you or them in self defense if you hit him.

Reinforce your puppies' good behavior. Praise and treats are always a good way to do just that. Good behavior such as peeing outside, sitting when told to, no barking in the house, etc. Food is a good motivator also. Puppies learn more easily when food is involved because it is more satisfying then toys at that point. Use part of their daily intake so as to not over feed your new puppy, therefore keeping your new dog healthy while training him. If you need to punish your puppy do not yell, use a lack of attention. Puppies thrive on attention so when you don't pay attention to them that is more then punishment enough.

House train your new puppy as soon as possible. Be consistent! Patience is an absolute must! Your puppy needs time to learn so remember accidents happen. Make sure your puppy socializes. This is important because you can have a well-behaved puppy if you get him into some proactive socializing early on. Your puppies' most impressionable period, just like children, is when they are young, birth to sixteen weeks. So make sure you are doing all you can to help acclimate your dog to society.

Make sure you handle your puppy every day. Such as brushing, baths, toenails being clipped, ear cleaning are just a few. Also examining and brushing your puppies' teeth should be on your list of dos for a healthy dog. Your ultimate goal is to have your puppy comfortable and have him look forward to being handled by you or your children. A stressed out dog is no fun for you or the dog, so make sure your puppy gets used to the attention. Make sure you use treats to praise your pup for good behavior during this time, and be gentle, the respond to kindness and tender care more so then harsh words.

Start training your dog not to bite early on in life. Have your whole household be part of this training. It is natural for a dog to want to bite; they have done it since the beginning of time. But it only takes some simple steps to keep your puppy playful but not dangerous. Try playing with your pooch, getting him to bite you, when he does it to hard say ouch! really loud and let it startle him. Stop playing with him for a few minutes and then start over until he learns to play nicely with out hurting you or your children. After practicing this for a few weeks your pup should be thinking that humans couldn't stand the touch of teeth at all.

Teaching your new puppy what is ok and not ok to chew on is very important. You would like to keep your good shoes good right? Well make sure you teach your pup the ways of your household. Ensuring a happy puppy and happy owner. When you catch him chewing on something he isn't supposed to, face it you will, say loudly NO! Startle him into not chewing on that item. Hand him a chew toy to chew on instead. Praise him for chewing on his toy and he will be more then happy to chew it into oblivion.

Just remember to give your puppy lots of love. They need it to grow up happy, healthy, and obedient

Selecting Your Golden Puppy

Once you have decided on a breeder that you can trust, you’ll need to start thinking about what type of puppy you want. This decision could take you some time, as it can be quite a few weeks or even months before the right litter is whelped - although it will be worth the wait. If your breeder has a few litters available when you look for your Golden puppy, you may be able to compare.

Some breeders may require that you put a deposit down on the puppy of your choice, if the puppies aren’t a certain number of weeks old. The good litters rarely go unsold, as most are already spoken for before the puppies are seven weeks old. If you want to get in on a good litter, your best bet is to get to your breeder early - before all of the puppies are sold.

When you arrive to get your puppy, you shouldn’t be alarmed if the breeder does the selecting for you. Most quality breeders will spend quite a bit of time with the puppies and they will know just what their individual temperaments are. The better breeders however, will do temperament tests to determine the temperament of the puppies they have with each and every litter.

By performing these tests, the breeder will get assistance in selecting which puppy goes to which type of home. If you’ve chosen one of the better breeders, you should let him do his work and help you select the puppy that he or she thinks will be your best match. Breeders can obviously select you a better puppy, as they have been around the litter for several weeks - and you have only been around the litter looking at them for a few minutes.

Although all Golden puppies are appealing to the eyes, you need to base your reasons on more than looks. Before you pick your puppy up, you should always make sure that he has a strong build, with straight legs. The puppy should be strong and muscular, yet be squirmy and active when you first try to pick him up. You should also make sure that he has healthy teeth and gums, and look over the rest of his body to make sure that he is healthy.

If your breeder does allow you to select your puppy from the litter, then you should take the puppies that you are considering to get away from the remainder of the litter and observe each one carefully, and how they react to you. Puppies that are around 7 weeks of age should be apt to explore their surroundings. Even though they may be a little cautious at first, the puppies should still be more than anxious to look around and sniff their surroundings.

When you single out the puppies, make sure you speak to the ones you are interested in and see how they react to your voice. Try moving around and playing with them, and see how they respond to you. Some puppies will be faster than others, although you shouldn’t pursue any interest in a puppy that doesn’t show any interest in moving objects or their surroundings.

If you take your time and evaluate each puppy that you are interested in, you can find the best puppy for you and your family. Golden Retriever puppies are great to have, providing you get one that’s healthy. Getting a healthy puppy should be your desire - as a healthy puppy will grow into a strong and healthy adult - and be around for years to come.

Buying A Golden Puppy

We all know that Golden Retrievers are beautiful, obedient, and make great family pets and hunting dogs. Golden’s also make great guide dogs for the blind, narcotic detection dogs, and even tracking dogs for finding missing people. Although there are many other dog breeds out there, Golden Retrievers remain one of the most versatile and most astonishing breeds that you can get.

Before you rush out and buy a Golden Retriever puppy, you should first take the time to learn a bit more about the breed. You can attend dog shows, meet with various owners of Golden Retrievers, and even go to your local kennel club. Most people who own Golden Retrievers are extremely proud of them and will be more than happy to share their enthusiasm with you.

When you buy you’re Golden Retriever puppy, it’s always a great idea to buy from a backyard breeder or local puppy mill. Backyard breeders are normally the best way to get a Golden puppy, as they know and care a lot about the breed in general. Although you can always go to a reputable breeder, backyard breeders aren’t just in it for the money - they actually care about their dogs and want you to get the best Golden possible.

You can also visit the Golden Retriever Club of America and their local member clubs, as they can supply you with a list of breeders in your area. If these breeders don’t have any Golden’s for sale themselves, they will be more than willing to help you find what you’re looking for. This way, you can get a Golden from a very reliable source.

Whatever you do, you should never rush into buying a Golden Retriever. You should always take your time, and have a little bit of patience. When you buy your puppy, you want a healthy puppy who will grow up to be a fine testament of the breed. By taking your time and making a careful decision, you can save yourself a lot of time and money later on down the road.

Golden puppies that are poor quality, are normally produced by breeders who just want to have a litter or breeders who are just looking for the profits and care very little about giving thoughts to looks, quality, or temperament. If you buy a puppy from either of these breeders, you’ll more than likely end up with a puppy who has poor health, poor temperaments, and even disqualifications in breed.

When you get your puppy, you should always think long term. Only buy from a quality breeder, and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Always remember that you aren’t just buying a Golden Retriever puppy - you are buying a companion and a friend for life.

Puppy Potty Training Strategies

The main thing people train a puppy for is potty training. This training isn't neglected, if they let the puppy in the house, which many people do. Puppies at the least need to be kept in a closed back porch to be protected from the weather.

When your new puppy is exploring his home, he'll stop and relieve himself on the spot and keep investigating afterward. You don't want to find these deposits all over the house. The solution is puppy potty training. He has to be taught where it is proper to relieve himself.

One method is to train him to go do his business outside, When training take your puppy outside and to the same spot. He'll learn to associate that spot with going potty. While potty training your puppy don't play with him outdoors. Let him think of the outdoors as the place to potty and nothing else during the training period. Keep him outside around ten minutes.

Getting a crate for your puppy will come in handy when you can't oversee what your puppy is doing. When you put your puppy in the crate you use a command, consistently use the same one. Give him a treat. Dogs like to keep their den unsoiled and your puppy won't want to soil his den. Your puppy may whine when you put him in his crate. But he will adjust to his crate and this stops pottying in the living room while you're cooking dinner. Don't leave your puppy in his crate for a long time. Take him out of the crate often to go potty.

Since you don't want to leave your puppy in his crate too much and you need to do various chores and activities around the house—you need another way to keep watch over your puppy. Try securing his leash to your waist, while you work around the house. This is a way to keep an eye on your pet, which is essential to potty training.

When you are potty training your puppy give him praise when he relieves himself outdoors and sometimes give him a treat. These rewards will encourage your puppy to behave the way you want him to behave. They will make him happy and easier to train.

Potty training for your puppy takes diligence on your part and he needs the persistent training. The essential times to take your puppy outside to relieve himself are after he eats, wakes up from sleeping, when he drinks, and when you let him out of his crate. Another time to take him outside to potty is after you play with him for awhile. The exercise may stimulate his bowels.

Puppy potty training is important for puppies that will be house dogs or in the house a lot. Even if your puppy will be mostly an outside dog, it is best to have him inside when he is small so potty training is necessary. Your puppy will want to please you. Train him well with rewards and you'll both be happier.

The Right Toys for Teething Puppy

Your puppy's teeth will start coming in when he is about 3 or 4 weeks old and when he is eight weeks old, he'll have 28 teeth. All of these teeth breaking through his gums is painful and he'll want to chew something to ease his pain.



One of the best toys for puppies is a teething toy. When they are teething puppies definitely chew a lot and a puppy teething toy helps to ease your puppy and you through this stage of his development. Some puppy teething toys are very good for easing the pain your puppy feels while teething. One that works well is the wet and freeze type teething toy. An example of these toys is the rope toy, though it is a good teething toy, never leave the puppy alone when playing with the rope toy. The rawhide chews that crumble are good chew toys for puppies. Any buttons, eyes, ribbons or strings should be removed from soft toys before giving them to puppies or dogs.



Some other teething toy choices to get your puppy are: rubber teething keys, tiny rubber teethers that look like cartoon characters, and the nylon bones that have lumps on them that help sooth away the teething pain. Your puppy will enjoy chewing Bully Sticks, which are digestible. There are Kong toys that are made just for puppies and are a real aid for teething puppies.



Choose several different kinds of teething toys for your puppy and don't give all of them to him at once. Changing his toys out so he doesn't get bored with them is recommended. Always choose toys that are safe for your puppy to play with.



Once you have some good teething toys for your puppy encouraging him to play with his toys and not your belongings like shoes, remote controls, and other small items or even chewing furniture legs is the next step. He needs to be taught which are his toys and what he can't play with - your things.



So give your puppy one of his chew toys and tell him “This is your toy. Good boy or good girl.” Playing with your puppy with his toys helps to reinforce that these are his toys. When he gets your shoe or chews on the furniture—take the shoe away or remove him from the furniture and say “no” in a strong voice. Then give him one of his chew toys. If you stay steady and persistent in training him, your puppy will learn, which toys are his toys.



While your puppy is teething, he'll try to place his mouth on your hand or arm and teaching him this action isn't allowed is the best course of action. Take his mouth off of your arm or hand and tell him “no.” Then give him one of his chew toys.



The right training and the correct teething toys will get you and your puppy through the teething stage with less upsetting moments and less gum pain for your puppy.

Choosing Your Puppy

Before getting your puppy, it is important to know what kind of pet you want. Sometimes people choose puppies for the wrong reason, which is because it is so cute. This cute puppy might not seem as cute as a grown pet. It is good for someone with an emotional response to have a pet, but choosing puppies should be done with thought.



If you chose your pet only because it is cute, you may later have a pet that is smaller than you wanted or bigger or more active or less active than you desire. Consider your dwelling. Is it an apartment or a house? Do you have a yard or not? Do you want a pet that is breed for sporting? Do you want a hunting dog? Do you want a guard dog? Is the puppy basically for he children? Do you want to put the dog in competitions?



Considering the things you don't desire in a pet is important. Do you not want a pet that is more aggressive or is from a very active breed that needs considerable exercise? Is a pet that sheds a lot off of your list? You don't have to groom short haired dogs as much as long haired dogs. Dogs that are bred to be in the water have oily coats, which generate the characteristic doggy odor.



If you haven't had a dog before and would like to be able to predict your pet's temperament and characteristics, a pure bred is probably your best choice.



If you want an outside pet, find out if the bred can take cold weather well, if you live in a very cold area. Conversely, if you live in an area that has really hot summers a dog bred for cold weather won't be able to stay outside in the summer and survive. So factoring in whether you want an inside or outside pet and your weather conditions will help you pick the bred. Some breeds need a lot of play and exercise all of their lives and other breeds are more inactive when they are adults, though they were active as puppies.



Again, remember that the appearance of the puppy doesn't clue you in on the breed's personality, temperament, character, and natural disposition. Whether or not you choose a female or a male of the bred is a personal decision. There may be some difference in the personality of the males and females in a bred, which a dog breeder or a good book on a breed will tell you.



The social traits of your pet are important points. If you have small children and many of their friends come over, then a dog with a fierce loyalty to one person or a family isn't right for you.



Training your pet is another consideration. Some breeds are harder to train because they have been bred to be more independent and others like sporting or herding dogs are more easily trained. Research breeds and pick one that suits your needs to get the best puppy for you.