How to Pick the Right Puppy
There seem to be so many choices when looking for a puppy for your family but is there a right choice? There is no right or wrong in picking a puppy for companionship however, there are things you can look for in a puppy to ensure a better match.
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1. Discuss with your household
Before you start looking for a puppy or contacting a breeder, consider having a discussion with your family about introducing a puppy into the household. It is very important for everyone in the house to be in agreement about getting a puppy.
Everyone in the household being consistent and thoughtful about their interactions with the puppy will further aid the puppy's success in their new home. Plus, conflicts between family members about the addition of the puppy lead to the puppy being returned to the breeder.
Did you know?
The golden retriever is the 3rd most popular breed in the United States (AKC Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2021, published 2022).
That’s pretty amazing! Want to know about our upcoming Golden Retriever litter? Snow Peak Paw’s upcoming litter →
2. Research dog breeds
If everyone in the house is in agreement to get a puppy, then you can further the discussion by researching what breeds might be a better fit for your household. If you have young children, take careful consideration to how you will prevent a child from being hurt or injured by a playful puppy. Read more about managing children and puppies →.
You might also want to consider your family member's needs and accommodations. If you have a family member that is sensitive to pet dander, then adding a pet to the home, might be more challenging. There are breeds that can be allergy-friendly but there is no dog that is 100% hypoallergenic.
3. Educate yourself
Once you've discussed and researched what breeds will be the best fit for your family, look into raising a puppy. Most states require that breeders don't sell puppies until they're 8 weeks of age. At 8 weeks of age, puppies are still developing and learning how to be a dog.
Puppyhood has its own unique challenges so make sure you read up on how to properly take care of a puppy and aid its mental development. We have a list of our top book recommendations for puppy owners→ in order to help you put your best foot forward. Starting training early is a must, whether you owner train, take them to puppy classes, or put them in a dedicated board and train.
The success of a puppy is reliant upon the trainer's consistency and patience. If you want to have a puppy make sure you're lifestyle and schedule accommodate training and socializing your puppy weekly.4. Find a breeder and get to know the litter
Find a breeder with a litter that fits your needs. You should carefully vet breeders and make sure they are breeding responsibly. We curated a list of the top 10 questions you should ask your breeder → to get a better sense of what you should be looking for in a breeder. Once you find a responsible dog breeder who specializes in the breed you're looking for, ask them about their upcoming litters and reserve a spot in the litter or on the waitlist. Most breeders have potential adopters put down a non-refundable reservation fee (deposit) to reserve a pick in a litter.
5. Time to Pick!
Once it is your turn to pick, keep in mind that every puppy has the potential to present undesirable behaviors like biting, chewing, whining, etc. If you have an energetic and active lifestyle, take notice of the puppy that is always on the go or always moving. If you are more sedentary, take note of the puppies that would rather lay down and take a nap close to you.
While puppies' behaviors can be circumstantial, it is important that you take time to observe the puppies in the litter and get a sense of their personality. Find a breeder that is willing to let you visit the puppies or video chat with you.
Conclusion
Ultimately, you can research and talk about the best puppy pick for you, but at times it will come down to a feeling. And, that's okay! Some pet parents come to puppy pick sessions leaving with a totally different dog than they described previously and later found that the puppy they got was a perfect fit. Think you’re ready to adopt a puppy? Check out Snow Peak Paws’ upcoming litters! →
Want a puppy but don’t know what to buy? We’ve got you! The Ultimate Puppy Shopping Guide → has everything you need for a puppy.
