I had already gotten another dog from this great breeder. I wanted a dog who was a companion but who I also wanted to show in competitive obedience. Adopting the right dogs for you isn’t just about what it looks like and whether it’s suited to your lifestyle, but also whether you have the time and ability to give it the exercise and lifestyle it needs. 2. Do you want a dog to match your social tendencies? Sporting dogs were bred to hunt. They have a lot of energy and need regular, invigorating exercise. They also need a job to do so they don’t find their own ways to let off steam.

How much predictability do you need in terms of what your dog looks like, how they behave, and their personality? Pure breeds (those that are registered with the Kennel Club) breed ‘true to type’ – in other words have a set size, shape, coat type etc and have the same working ancestry. After you get an idea of what breed of dog you may be looking for, learn everything you can about that type of dog. By purchasing a puppy from a responsible breeder, you’ll have a bit of predictability in temperament, size, and grooming needs. Although each dog is different, this information can be valuable in making the best determination if a breed is right for your lifestyle and needs. Here are just a few ways you can learn about individual breeds:Cost: Have you budgeted to make sure you can afford all the costs associated with getting a puppy? Setting up for a puppy can be expensive in the first place, but you’ll also need to consider the lifetime costs of owning a dog as well. Make sure that you’re able to budget for insurance, vet bills, food and other ongoing costs, such as buying leads, toys and poo bags. Loyal, friendly, playful and smart as a whip, Australian Labradoodles are gifted with supreme patience for strolling through the park, boundless energy for an hour-long frisbee session, and a love of all things people. If you get your dog from a breeder, consider what lines your puppy comes from. If from working lines, the dog will likely be more intense than if from show lines.

I love this book because it focuses on how to create a well-socialized puppy while working to prevent bad habits like jumping up. There are "training techniques" in here, like teaching a puppy to sit, come, lie down, etc. but it's so much more than that, as it's main focus is on shaping the behaviors you need for a calm confident dog. They put a lot of time into their litters socializing them to new experiences and people. Good breeders are invested in their litters and will help you choose the right puppy for you.

It’s important to determine how well a puppy accepts normal touch. Hold the puppy and touch and gently open his mouth. Look in and gently rub his ears.. The title is a little hyperbolic. Yin admits as much in her conclusion, noting that part of the reason why she was so successful was because she already knew the techniques beforehand and could ensure that anyone interacting with her new pup would also abide by these rules. The most important take-aways I got were: 1) consistency is vital, and 2) every time you interact with your puppy you are teaching them. Raising a puppy is much, much more challenging than I anticipated. This book is extremely helpful. Not only is a great tool for training, but it's simple language and illustrations make the techniques actually feel attainable. Another thing you need to think about when adopting the right dog is whether you want a male or female. Opinion varies enormously, and ultimately the decision really comes down to personal preference. A friend of mine who works 10-hour days decided not to get a puppy. The pup would have been alone too long. A puppy needs attention and potty breaks.

Another option is to rehome a 'teenage' or adult dog. If you're a first-time dog owner you may find an older dog to be a better fit for your lifestyle.Give them space: Although it can be tempting to spend every minute with your new pup, they’ll need to have time to themselves too. If they need to sleep and rest, give them the space to do so and encourage them to play on their own sometimes to help prevent separation problems later in life. Take your time: New places can be overwhelming for puppies, so you’ll need to make sure everything is nice and calm at home on the day they arrive. You might want to limit them to one or two rooms in the house at first so they can get used to everything slowly in their own time.