| When you finish reading this article, you will have | | | | shelter will be able to advise you as to which |
| learned six important things to think about before | | | | breeds are best for families with children and |
| buying a puppy. So, be sure to read this article to | | | | which are better with just adults. |
| the very end so you will learn all this important | | | | 3. You can visit a mature dog at the owner's or |
| information. | | | | the shelter before deciding to take it home with |
| What the heck did I just do? | | | | you. We auditioned probably six dogs before we |
| What melts the heart and opens the wallet faster | | | | choose our Cairn Terrier and he's been just great. |
| than warm licks from a cute puppy, along with its | | | | 4. While a puppy will adapt to you home faster |
| wagging tail and warm cuddling? | | | | than many adult dogs, this is not always true. |
| Well practically nothing, which is why many adults | | | | Some adult dogs, like our Cairn Terrier, will adapt |
| who have sworn they would never buy a puppy | | | | almost immediately. |
| end up bringing one home - faster than they can | | | | 5. You may have a hard time visualizing how big |
| say, "what the heck did I just do?" | | | | that puppy will be when fully grown. With an adult |
| Do you have children? | | | | dog, you know its size for sure and can decide |
| If you have children, raising a puppy gives you the | | | | how well it will fit your living space. |
| opportunity to teach your kids how to be gentle | | | | 6. Puppies have to be trained from square one. |
| in caring for that little fur ball. And helping raise a | | | | On the other hand, an adult dog may have |
| puppy can give them memories that will last their | | | | already been trained - at least house broken. |
| entire lifetimes. | | | | However, adult dogs can come with medical |
| Understand the realities | | | | problems which means vet bills. We adopted one |
| However, beyond these wonderful images lurks | | | | adult dog that had heart worms which required a |
| the realities of raising a puppy - housebreaking it, | | | | lot of treatment. |
| leash training it, teaching it to chew toys and not | | | | Make sure you choose a reputable breeder |
| your expensive shoes and other typical puppy | | | | If you decide to buy a puppy, make sure you're |
| behaviors. So before you bring one home, here | | | | buying from a reputable breeder and not a puppy |
| are things to think about | | | | mill. A puppy from a puppy mill can come with |
| 1. Puppies are precocious but very needy. You'll | | | | both problems and genetic defects that eventually |
| spend far more time with a puppy than with a | | | | turn into expensive vet bills. |
| mature dog. It's sad, but shelters are often full of | | | | Also, think seriously about adopting a dog from a |
| dogs that are just a few months out of puppy | | | | shelter. Both our dogs came from shelters and |
| phase. | | | | they do have their issues but, we're happy we |
| 2. If you choose a mature dog, the seller or | | | | saved their lives and we love them both. |