Tips for Brand New Puppy Owners

Buying a new puppy can be one of the most delightful times of your life. It can also leave you stressed and sleepless! My "puppy" is one year old now and a fantastic established adult male dog. He has graduated from "puppyhood". I have listed some tips for making the journey from puppyhood to adult dog an easy and fun experience for you.

Choosing a breed of dog for your family

What is the primary reason you are getting a dog? Is it for companionship, hunting, or protection? You must first decide this. Just because your friend Bob's pit bull is really cute, doesn't mean that's the right type of dog for you. Do you have a house and back yard large enough for a larger dog, or are you willing to walk the dog several times per day ? If not, maybe a small lap dog is your ticket to puppyhood. My personal opinion is that you can not beat a lab or lab mix for friendliness. I have a springer/lab and a labradoodle and they are the sweetest dogs I have ever had. Labs are also fantastic hunters, so if you would like a hunting companion, a Lab might be your ticket. Although it is very important to research your breeds, all breeds success relies on how you train a dog. You can train a sometimes vicious breed to be sweet, conversely your little lap dog can bite the postal carrier's foot!

Aquiring your puppy

It is important to choose a reputable puppy breeder, pet store, or shelter when choosing a puppy. Do your research. You don't want to get a puppy from someplace that abused the dog or did not give he/she proper nutrition, shots, etc. Ask your friends or family members if they have gotten a dog from a particular source they trust. You should not only play with the puppy upon first seeing he/she to get a feel for the personality of the dog, but you should also ask the owner how the dog gets a long with others and what his/her personality has been like in the past.

Supplies that work

I title this category supplies that work, because you do not need to go out and buy Petsmart or PetCo to own a puppy, but you will need the basics.

Labradoodle Puppy

Credit: Roxanne Skarphol

Copyright: Roxanne Skarphol