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. This assumes you have a litter to choose from. If there’s just one puppy such as you may find at a shelter or rescue or if everyone else has already chosen from a litter, you can still do many of the below tests.

So it’s crucial that you look not only at your needs but also those of the puppy when making a decision. These can really add up. You may decide not to get pet health insurance and not need pet walkers or doggie daycare, but expenses can really add up over the years. Do You Have Children? The effort required to breed exceptional Doodle puppies naturally rules out pet stores and puppy mills. 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.

Good breeders put a lot of time researching the genetic lines of dogs they’re thinking of mating. They do any necessary health certifications. Excellent Socialisation: Have the dog that can go anywhere and do anything after mastering socialisation with our weekly tips and advice guiding you through the process Here are just a few questions to ask yourself when determining which dog is the best fit for your lifestyle. Keep in mind that a prospective breeder may ask you these questions when deciding if your home is right for one of their puppies, so it may be helpful to jot your answers down. While we help our customers with this step based on questionnaires, you can also look for the same traits in person. Even among Doodles, individual dogs will have unique little personality quirks that might make them the perfect choice for you.

Some breeds are more likely to love everyone while others are more likely to be totally disinterested, suspicious or even unfriendly to strangers (whether they be human, canine, feline, sciurine (no, I didn’t know either… it’s squirrels!).

Check your dog’s physical health

Getting a dog from a breeder isn’t your only option when bringing home a new pet. You can also find a purebred or rescued dog through the AKC Rescue Network, as well as older dogs in rescues. Consider Your Lifestyle No dog enjoys being left but some breeds - especially those bred as companions - really hate it and will struggle with even the shortest of absences. Others can, with patience, training and understanding, learn to tolerate it. 4. Do you want to train your dog to a high level? With over 200 dog breeds to choose from, you are bound to find the perfect match. Every one of those 200+ breeds of dog has been developed, sometimes over hundreds of years, to be specialists at a certain job. If you are able to meet the pups in person, it can serve as extra reassurance that you’ve chosen the best breeder.

In the UK, dogs suffer from irresponsible puppy breeding, farming and smuggling. They can be bred, kept and transported in poor and sometimes terrible conditions. My first dog as an adult was a shih tzu named Cuddles. My husband and I had discussed getting a dog for a while. As a first-time dog owner, and through your research of finding the right dog breed for you, perhaps the first thing you should consider is if you'd like a pedigree, crossbreed or mixed breed dog. Deafness can be a problem in some breeds, like Dalmatians and other white breeds, so make sure your puppy reacts when exposed to obvious sudden noises. Toy breeds were generally bred as amiable companions. They may make great lap dogs and have big personalities despite their small stature.Reputable centres will be very careful about matching the right people with the right dogs - they certainly don't want them being rejected again nor do they want you to take on a dog that's not suitable for you. Staff carefully assess the dogs they take in, and will spend time getting to know you, your family and your lifestyle before they match you with any of their dogs. They'll also be happy to give you advice and answer any questions you might have. If the puppies (or mother) seem unwell or uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to walk away. If you’re worried about their welfare, you can report the breeder. See the section on how and where to report below. How are the mother and puppies behaving? Analytical Constituents: Protein 8%, Crude Fibres 0.2%, Crude Oils and Fats 6%, Crude Ash 2%, Moisture 82%.

But before getting a puppy, there are so many practical things to review in deciding whether to even get a puppy. At Perfect Pooches, we are proud to be fully licensed and approved dog breeders who provide healthy, happy puppies to our customers across the UK. As responsible breeders, we understand the importance of finding a trustworthy and reputable source when adding a new family member to your home. That’s why we take the time to ensure that each of our puppies goes to a loving and responsible owner. Sadly, some adult dogs up for rehoming haven't always been blessed with a previous loving home, so they may come to you with a bit of 'emotional baggage'. These dogs need extra love, time and patience, but what you give to them will be hugely rewarding for both you and your dog, and result in a lifelong friendship.

Training your puppy

Terriers are feisty and energetic and vary greatly in size. They were bred to hunt and kill vermin, So a squirrel they see on their walk will be very alluring to them–and, without training, they may almost pull you off your feet trying to get to it. A reputable, good breeder also will have questions for you regarding your family, work, home, activity level, and reason why you want a dog or their breed.