| Purchasing a puppy for your family is a very big | | | | probably beat you to the hiding place if an intruder |
| decision. It | | | | bursts into your home! However, it should be said |
| should never be approached casually, or lightly. A | | | | these pets do work well with children. They tend to |
| new pet | | | | be gentle, and they will come out of their shell if they |
| becomes part of your family. You should do | | | | are lavished with love, praise and the proper training. |
| everything you can to | | | | These dogs are lovers, not fighters. However, if |
| educate yourself about the breed of puppy you are | | | | these pups are not worked with, their shyness will |
| considering and its personality. You should also | | | | turn to fear. This could lead to snippy dogs, or ones |
| explore how much grooming or maintenance each | | | | that actually bite. Children should not be allowed to |
| new addition to your family requires.The worst thing | | | | mistreat animals, especially ones which are timid or |
| you can do when selecting a puppy is simply | | | | shy by nature. Their sweet, loving pet may turn on |
| choosing one because you think it is cute. Most dogs | | | | them.If there is a pup in the litter who is barking at |
| are cute. | | | | your presence, you should carefully observe it. Is it |
| Cuteness alone does not make a good pet. Even | | | | barking simply because you are a stranger? Is it |
| the sweetest looking dog can bring havoc to your | | | | barking because he wants your attention? Or, is it |
| home if you are not set up | | | | barking because he is afraid? If he is afraid, this dog |
| and prepared for it.Each breed of dog should be | | | | could possibly grow up to be aggressive and possibly |
| investigated. You do not want a dog with herding | | | | dangerous. Fearful dogs protect themselves through |
| instincts around small children. They may truly take to | | | | barking and barring of their teeth. If the pup is |
| rounding up the kids and nip and bite at their heels | | | | aggressive, it will most probably grow up to be even |
| during play. Breeds which have the hunter instinct in | | | | more so. Just because a dog barks doesn't mean he |
| them may not work well in homes where there are | | | | is aggressive, though. Some dogs bark to be friendly. |
| other pets, such as cats, hamsters, rabbits and birds. | | | | You should be able to tell if the pup you are |
| Dogs which require constant grooming may not work | | | | observing is simply saying "hello" or "get out of here |
| well in a farming family, or living outside. Research the | | | | and leave me alone."The middle of the road pups are |
| history of the breed you are considering before you | | | | usually the best. These are the pups which come up |
| purchase your animal. If you are purchasing a beagle | | | | to you. They are friendly. They may |
| to hang out in the house, you may be upset when | | | | playfully pull on your shoe strings or climb upon your |
| he decides to take off after that aroma that is | | | | lap and |
| beckoning to him from the woods.Terriers are | | | | start licking your face. These puppies are already |
| favored choices by pet owners because this breed | | | | trusting by |
| comes in various sizes, from large to small and they | | | | nature. They are willing to socialize with you and |
| have much | | | | they want to make friends.You should take each pup |
| personality. The Cairn Terrier, for instance is | | | | you are considering purchasing away from its litter to |
| wire-haired. This breed sheds very little. You should | | | | a different area for observation. How does it react |
| keep in mind the Carin was bred to be a ratter. You | | | | away from its family? Is it jumpy and nervous? Is he |
| should be prepared for a pet that loves to dig and | | | | |
| burrow. This breed is very trainable, and if you supply | | | | confident and happy? Does it cower? Do loud noises |
| him a patch of ground for digging all should be well. | | | | send it |
| However, if you plan on keeping a Carin in a quiet | | | | scurrying to hide, or is he simply startled and then |
| apartment complex, you should keep in mind this | | | | full of |
| breed is prone to barking. Find a breed which | | | | investigation instincts? When you talk to the pup, |
| matches the personality of your home. Be realistic | | | | does he seem interested in you, or is he simply |
| and do not assume you can change a dogs | | | | ignoring you and doing his own thing? All of these |
| nature.When you go to observe a litter of pups, you | | | | little clues will give you an inside peek as to the |
| should take in the | | | | personality of the pup.When you hold the pup like a |
| kennel cleanliness and the health of the parents. If | | | | baby, what is his reaction? Does he struggle, lash |
| the kennel is smelly, dirty and unkempt, you can | | | | madly and try to nip at you? If so, this pup is |
| assume the mother dog may not be in the best of | | | | probably very stubborn and will require a firm hand to |
| health or she probably hasn't had the best care. You | | | | get it to obey. Does the pup stare at you wild eyed |
| should never assume because the mother is thin she | | | | and it fright? This pup is probably very skittish and |
| is unhealthy. Most mother dogs do go through a thin | | | | will require a lot of love and coaxing. The pup who |
| stage after birth and during the weaning process. | | | | tries to right itself, relaxes, then tries again, off and |
| However, signs of malnutrition are obvious. If the | | | | on while you are holding him should be considered a |
| mother dog is in bad shape, you should not purchase | | | | middle of the line dog. This dog should be fairly easy |
| a pup from her litter. If she is aggressive toward | | | | to train with the proper care and training.Try walking |
| you, you should also reconsider purchasing one of her | | | | away from the pup. If he doesn't follow you and is |
| pups.Don't jump right in and start picking up the pups. | | | | more interested in doing his own thing, this dog will |
| When you go to choose your pet, you should | | | | be very |
| observe him as he plays with the rest of his litter, | | | | independent. He may not be interested in training at |
| first. Is there a pup that dominates his family? Is he | | | | all, and it may be a challenge to get this pup to focus |
| pushing the others aside, or being rough toward his | | | | on you. If you call him, he looks up and continues |
| siblings? This pup should be considered the alpha dog | | | | about his business, this is also a sign that you have a |
| of the litter. This dog knows who he is and what he | | | | little prince or princess on your hands who may be |
| wants. You should keep in mind these dogs tend to | | | | oblivious to rules.Choosing a puppy for the family |
| push their boundaries. If you purchase one, you will | | | | should be an adult decision. |
| have to be very diligent with your training. He can | | | | Children can easily be swayed to choose a pet on a |
| never assume he is dominant over you, or the | | | | whim. Parents can easily check out the litter first and |
| children in your family. These dogs do make | | | | choose a suitable pup or two for the children to |
| wonderful pets for the family who has enough time | | | | choose from. You should also keep in mind that |
| to give them the consistent | | | | children will be happy with a pet you simply bring |
| loving but firm attention he will require. However, | | | | home, even if they had no say in the selection |
| they can be | | | | process.Author Ian White is founder of This |
| stubborn.What about the pup who is cowering in the | | | | extensive online directory includes listings by private |
| corner? This pup may | | | | breeders, kennel clubs, and occasional hobby or family |
| be the runt, or the shy one in his family. If you are | | | | breeders. Those seeking dogs can locate and match |
| wanting to purchase a pet to serve as family | | | | with appropriate breeders. Dog-Breeders.biz |
| protection, this dog is | | | | automates the matching of dogs for sale with dog |
| probably not for you. This dog will scare easily and | | | | wanted entries, with daily email notifications to all |
| will most | | | | parties. |