Similarly, if you have other dogs in the home, or cats, you have to decide whether your current pets will accept a new member of this package. Some breeds have instincts as predators which make battle with a cat highly probable.
If you have never had a dog before, or at least not as you’re a kid, consider taking good care of a friend or neighbor’s dog and reacquaint yourself with the responsibility and maintenance required.
And it may well be that when all factors are considered, it might not be the ideal time to add a dog to your family. Perhaps a pet that requires less maintenance, attention, and supervision may be more appropriate.
If you take your dog to the dog park, then observe the breeds that he typically plays and people he might have conflict with. This is sometimes a clue to guide you in choosing your new dog. You may have a surprise as well. Your cocker spaniel may rather run with the bigger hunting dogs rather than dogs his own size.
All family members need to agree on the decision to bring a puppy to the family, and each member should have entered to the sort of dog you eventually pick. Your kids may have met and socialized with their friends’ dogs and be in a position to provide valuable input.
Before you bring a dog house, you need to take into account all the other members of your loved ones. In case you have kids it’s going to be an extra challenge. Households with kids must take extra caution before making the decision to buy a puppy –and in deciding which strain is appropriate. A rambunctious puppy may be overwhelming to your toddler. A miniature breed may be treated just like a stuffed toy as opposed to a living animal. It may seem fun for your kid to dress their pet companion in doll clothes and wheel him around in a stroller but it is not good for the puppy. Training may be harder since you are going to have to train both the kid and the dog.
Consider your neighbors as well. Others are lively”barkers” who sound an alert each time a noise or passerby disturbs them. Training is important to help your dog to be a good neighbor, but you also need to objectively look at where you live and whether a given breed will be a nuisance to the people nearby.
