Before bringing a puppy or a dog into your life, you need to be prepared. This is a lifetime commitment - one that should not be taken lightly or treated as a trivial matter! A dog is NOT a toy, something to be played with when the urge strikes and then put away until the next time you 'have time' for him/her. A dog is NOT a status symbol, something to be paraded about to impress someone or to show how 'tough' you are. A dog is NOT a throwaway object, one that is dumped or traded in when the 'newness' wears off. A dog is a living, breathing, feeling creature - one that needs all the same things that you do in order to thrive.
A dog needs your love and companionship, he needs training and guidance, and he needs socialization and exposure to the world in which he is expected to live in. All these intangible things MUST be provided if a dog is to be a happy and well-adjusted member of your family. This takes time and effort on your part - it DOES NOT just 'happen'. If these are things that you KNOW you can provide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, then please read on...
A dog will need many of the same things that a child needs. They need good quality food and fresh water, as well as clean dishes to put it in. A dog needs a collar, leads, and a nametag. Most cities, counties, and boroughs require that your dog be licensed. Depending on the breed of dog and the climate in which you live, your dog may need clothing to protect him from the elements when out on a walk. Your dog will need schooling - basic obedience training should ALWAYS be taught to a dog. CGC (Canine Good Citizen) testing is also a great idea. A dog will need veterinary care for vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and general 'wellness' checks, as well as those emergency situations that will come up. Your dog will need toys to play with and things to chew on - otherwise you may have a very destructive and bored dog tearing up your home. If you don't want your dog to sleep with you, you will need to provide either a thick blanket or a dog bed for him to curl up on. If you choose to crate train, your dog will need a crate. A crate is NOT meant for the dog to live in - it is a training tool, not a place to keep your dog when you are gone for more than 3 or 4 hours!
As you can see, this is a big decision - one that needs much thought and consideration. There are many wonderful places that you can get a puppy or dog from - shelters, rescue organizations, and reputable breeders. But you should never, ever buy a puppy or dog (or any companion animal!) from a pet store or a back yard breeder. All pet stores (no matter what the store tells you) get their 'stock' from puppy brokers, mills, commercial breeders, or backyard breeders. These places seldom, if ever, care about the health or temperament of the breeding dogs - they only care about the 'cash crop' of puppies that is produced. The only criterion that needs to be met here is that the puppy must be alive in order to sell. This is not a good thing! Please, read each of the links below before making your decision. Good luck.
