Choosing a Puppy: How to Choose the Right Puppy for You

How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You
Mia Montagliani
YourDogNeedsYou.com
Copyright YourDogNeedsYou.com 2010-2014

 Is your dog the right match for your lifestyle?
 How can you choose a friendly and compliant dog?
 What’s involved in adopting a dog from a shelter?
 How can you prepare your home for your new dog?
 What should you do the 1st day you bring the dog
home?
 What is the best equipment for training and care?
 What is the actual cost of raising a dog?
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
 Lifestyle Match Survey
1. What kind of residence do you live in?
☐ Flat or Apartment
☐ Townhouse or Villa or Unit
☐ House
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
2. What type of area do you live in?
☐ Inner city
☐ Suburban
☐ Rural
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
3. What size is the yard in which the dog will live?
☐ None
☐ Small
☐ Medium
☐ Large
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
4. Do you have other pets?
☐ None
☐ Yes – Cat/s
☐ Yes – Dog/s
☐ Yes – Cat/s and Dog/s
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
5. What is the gender of your other dogs?
☐ Not applicable
☐ Female
☐ Male
☐ Both
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
6. Are you able to keep your dog secure?
☐Yes
☐No
☐Sometimes
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
7. How much time will you exercise your dog each day?
☐ None
☐ 30 minutes
☐ 60 minutes
☐ More than 60 minutes
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
8. How active is the owner?
☐ Inactive
☐ Not very active
☐ Quite Active
☐ Very Active
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
9. Are you experienced at handling or training dogs?
☐ No
☐ Yes – a little
☐ Yes –very
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
10. How long will your dog be alone each week?
☐ Not at all
☐ Up to 20 hours
☐ 20-40 hours
☐ More than 40 hours
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
11. Do elderly or disabled people stay with you?
☐ No
☐ Sometimes
☐ Often
☐ Permanently
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
12. How old is the dog’s primary caregiver?
☐ 5-18 years old
☐ 19-39 years old
☐ 40-59 years old
☐ Over 60 years old
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
13. How much are you willing to spend on your dog’s food?
☐ Not much – on a tight budget
☐ A reasonable amount
☐ A good amount
☐ No limit
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
14. How much grooming are you prepared to provide each
week?
☐ None
☐ 1 hour
☐ 2½ to 4 hours
☐ More than 4 Hours
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
15. Are you looking for a dog that will protect you and your
property?
☐ No
☐ Some warning barks are okay
☐ Defensive
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
16. Do you or your family members suffer from
animal/hair allergies?
☐ No
☐ Yes
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 1
17. Do you have children or child visitors?
☐ Yes
☐ No
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 Seven Steps to Choosing a Friendly & Compliant Dog
1. Observe the puppies at play - Bossy puppies
generally bite, growl at or pin down other puppies.
Compliant puppies tend to play more nicely.
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

2. Approach and pat the puppies. The bossy puppy will
demand your attention and affection. Curious
puppies will seek your attention in a friendly way.
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

3. Pick up the puppy and cradle it like a baby. Puppies
that resist and wriggle are generally more bossy
than those that are compliant.
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

4. Have the puppies follow you. The puppies at the
front of the pack are either curious or bossy. The
bossy ones will tend to fend off other puppies in
your presence.
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

5. Place an unfamiliar item near the puppies. Puppies
that investigate quickly are likely to be more secure
than those that stay away.
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

6. Walk away from the puppies. Observe which
puppies settle down quietly and which puppies
show insecurity by yapping and whining.
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

7. Observe the breeder or pet store attendant with the
puppies. Puppies who are initially timid to you may
turn out to be quite friendly towards someone they
know.
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 Choosing a Puppy From a Shelter
- You may not know dog’s history
- Watch for signs of illness after adoption
- Your dog will be de-sexed (part of adoption fee)
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Fewer puppies available
- Problems can be managed with proper training
- Some dogs may not have any issues
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Ask:
1. Dog’s history
2. Dog’s breed
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Make a careful decision so spend time with the dog
- Adoption fee may include de-sexing & vaccinations
- Don’t forget to register your dog with the council
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

US & Canada:
- Fee may range from USD25-150
- http://www.animalshelter.org/shelters/states.asp
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

United Kingdom
- Fee may range from £70-120
- http://www.dogpages.org.uk/
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

Australia
- Fee may range from AUD50-350
- http://www.petrescue.com.au/rescue_directory/
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 Introducing Puppy to Your Home
- Put yourself in your puppy’s shoes: it’s a scary time!
- Show your puppy around when she arrives
- Set up boundaries
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 Introducing Puppy to Your Home
- Initially, supervise interaction with other pets
- Show your puppy her potty area, food and water
- Enrol in puppy classes
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 Checklist: Puppy Care in the First 24 Hours
Have ready:
- A collar and leash
- Bowls or pans for food and water
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

Have ready:
- The same dog food she's been accustomed to eating
- Dog bed & toys & grooming equipment
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Bring your puppy home safely in a crate
- Allow puppy to meet people
- Offer water and food
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Make an appointment with your vet
- Choose a safe, warm area for bedtime
- Ignore your puppy’s cries in the night & potty early
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 The Right Equipment
1. Collar & Leash
2. Crate
3. Grooming Equipment
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 The Right Equipment
4. Toys
5. Water & food bowls
6. Bed
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

 Budgeting for Your Puppy’s Needs
- The costs of owning a dog have to be considered over
your dog’s entire lifespan
- The average cost per year of owning a dog is around
$1571
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Vaccinations
- Worming, treatments for fleas and ticks
- City, county or state licenses
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Typical dog equipment and supplies
- Dog food and treats
- Grooming
- Cleaning
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Training classes
- Possible boarding if you go on vacation
- Fencing or other forms of containment for your dog
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Regular veterinary care such as routine examinations,
any lab work or x-rays, periodic dental cleaning and
treatment for the occasional injury
- Medications or supplements
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

- Pet insurance
- Generally more expensive at the start and towards te
end of the dog’s life
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You

Thank You for Watching
How to Choose the
Right Puppy For You
Mia Montagliani
Please visit YourDogNeedsYou.com for more dog training
tips and tools

Choosing a Puppy: How to Choose the Right Puppy for You

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Choosing a Puppy: How to Choose the Right Puppy for You