How to Choose the Puppy That Is Right for Your Family
When you choose a dog, you are choosing more than a pet, you are choosing a family member for life. Because of this, choosing a dog whose temperament meshes well with your lifestyle is critical. Do you want a dog that is going to want to run, jump, and play? Do you want a dog that is going to get along well with children and other dogs? As you will see in this video, these are the types of questions you should consider when picking puppy.
As Dr. Marcia Martin explains, picking a breed that is appropriate for your lifestyle is of the upmost importance. Certain breeds are braver and more independent than others. If your dog will be home alone a lot, you will want a dog that can entertain itself. If you are athletic you will want a dog whose breed is better at running.
Another thing to consider is each individual puppy’s temperament. While the puppy hiding in the corner may be adorable, he may or may not be the best choice if you have kids or a loud household. Handle the puppies to see how they react. This will give you an idea of how assertive or how timid they are and if they are more likely to be social and cuddly or standoffish and independent.
And here’s another idea: just sit quietly for a spell with a potential new puppy in a room. How does the puppy react to you? Fear? Timidity? Or curiosity, interest, and wanting to play? After you have played with the puppy for a bit, push it away, ignore it for a bit, and see how the pup reacts. Look for a puppy that comes back to you again and again, signaling that it is choosing YOU for its new playmate, and future family member.
If you are a new pet owner and need help training your puppy, or if you need more tips on picking the perfect puppy for your family, call the Chastain Veterinary Medical Group at (972) 239-1309 (Dallas) or (972) 529-5033 (McKinney) today.
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