When Is the Best Time of Year To Get a Puppy?

Potty training means frequent trips outside, so you'll want nicer weather as you teach your dog to go to the bathroom. Yards and parks are also excellent locations for your dog to meet new people, dogs, or objects.

A reminder from Walther: A puppy's socialization window lasts only the first 16 weeks of his life, so you'll want to get in as many new experiences as you can—especially when your kids are home from school.1

But summer might not work for everyone, and some parts of the country feature exceedingly hot temperatures or severe weather. That's why Renee Rhoades, the head dog behavior consultant at R+Dogs, says fall is the best time to bring home your new pup because of the milder weather.

"No matter what time someone chooses, there's always the problematic 

situation of trying to acclimate the dog to other weather conditions, unless you live somewhere where the weather is consistent throughout the year," she says.

She and Walther agreed on the most challenging time to bring a new puppy home: winter.  

Why Winter Is a Challenge

Put it this way: You don't want to be heading outside every hour with a young puppy in the cold, snow, or ice, do you? Didn't think so. 

Yes, the weather adds an extra challenge to potty training, and you'll likely have to seek indoor opportunities for socialization or puppy classes. Plus, you might be busy with year-end work or holiday travel. But you can still bring home a new dog if you're prepared. 

For potty training, you can start indoors with a designated area. Rhoades and Walther both recommend using artificial turf or another grass