Everything a First-Time Dog Owner Should Know

work. They need extensive socialization and training in the first year of life so they can grow up to be confident, well-behaved adult dogs. Potty training can also be challenging, particularly for some breeds. Additionally, it can be difficult to gauge what a puppy will grow up to look and act like, especially for mixed breeds. Eventual adult size, activity level, coat type and temperament is just a guess when you’re looking at a tiny puppy.

Adopting an adult dog is often easier. Many adults are already house trained and may even have some basic obedience training, too. And with adult dogs, what you see is what you get in terms of size, energy level, coat, and personality. And adults can be just as sweet, loving and fun as their younger counterparts. 

Where to Get Your New Dog 

When adding a new dog to the family, you have two main options on where to find your new companion: buying a puppy from a breeder or adopting a 

puppy or adult dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. 

Buying From a Breeder

If you have your heart set on a purebred puppy, buying from a responsible breeder is your best bet. Buying a purebred puppy online is risky, as many puppies sold online come from puppy brokers or puppy mills. These puppies are generally poorly bred and may suffer from health or behavioral issues. A responsible breeder, on the other hand, takes the health of their dogs and puppies very seriously. Such breeders don’t offer puppies for sale with a click of a button. They want to talk to puppy buyers so they know their pups are going to responsible homes. 

A good place to start looking for a breeder is the American Kennel Club, which lists purebred dog breeders in good standing on its website. If