Before you bring home that new puppy, you should ask yourself whether you are the right human for her. Here are some questions to consider.

Do you have children?

If so, then you’ll need a kid-friendly pooch. Your kids will also have to be dog-friendly — prepare for the extra steps it takes to teach them to train the dog, and to respect her space.

Are there already other dogs in your home?

Introducing a new one will involve some additional steps, too. Watch your prospective puppy at the shelter to see how she gets along with the other dogs. If she’s combative there, she’s not going to turn into a pacifist when she gets to her new home.

Does your job take you away a lot?

Do you have to travel for work or have a long commute? Think about whether you can invest in help while you’re away.

Are you a couch potato?

Be honest with yourself here, because some dogs need considerably more exercise than others. Are you sure you will be up to taking 30-minute walks in February?

Do you live in a cramped city apartment?

If that little puppy you have your eye on is likely to grow into a behemoth, maybe you should rethink your dream breed. Remember, though, that some smaller, more active dogs can take up a lot of space (and energy) in their own way.

Do you have friends, family members, or professional dog walkers who’ll be able to help out when necessary?

You should have at least one person you can leave a set of keys with who can handle feeding and medication — and who has contact information for your vet.

Can you afford him?

Depending on its breed, your puppy could end up costing you from $600 to roughly $900 each year — beyond what you paid to adopt her. So, before you commit, make a budget and figure out what you can handle.

Recurring veterinary bills?

Beyond the initial $200 to spay her — plus $150 for the first exam, another $150 for vaccinations, $130 for heartworm testing — it’s smart to plan how you’ll pay for ongoing medical care. Put aside an extra $210 for toy breeds and up to $260 for a large dog, and definitely consider pet health insurance.

Bigger dogs eat more. And if yours has special dietary requirements, the bargain supermarket brand is out of the question. At minimum, owners spend $55 annually to feed a toy breed, $120 for a medium-size dog, and $235 for a giant.

You may need training classes, the occasional sitter, and extras like a gate, car-seat tether, wee pads, and non-toxic cleaning products. And don’t forget cute looks also have a price. Grooming and nail grinding expenses can add up, too.

Where to find your new dog

There are really three options: You can go to a shelter, contact a rescue group, or go to a breeder. Fortunately, there are now online sites that can help you locate puppies that are up for adoption.

Almost every county and bigger city has a shelter run by the local government, as well as others run by nonprofit groups. Some will have state-of-the art facilities, and others may be more basic but, as a rule, dogs from shelters will have had shots and possibly some basic training because these make them more adoptable.

Think you will only find mutts in a shelter? Think again. An estimated 25 percent of dogs up for adoption are purebreds who have been given up for all sorts of reasons.

Adopting from a shelter

Before you go to a shelter, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place so that you don’t get swept away emotionally by those pleading faces. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

• If you can, pick a shelter that is close to home. That way, you can easily make two or three visits if you’re having a problem making up your mind.
• To get to know a dog’s real personality ignore him at first, but stand or sit nearby, so she can get used to your presence (and your scent). If you face the dog or try to talk to her, she has to adjust to you, and you won’t be able to get to really know her.
• Pay very close attention to body language and energy. Ears perked up and tail held high? That may signal an excited, dominant state, which you shouldn’t reward with attention. Give attention to a submissive dog whose head is slightly down and whose tail is wagging but held halfway up.
• Dogs that rush to the front of the cage are showing signs of anxiety, frustration, or dominance. The ones that cower at the back of the cage may have shyness issues that can translate into fear-related aggressiveness.
• Narrow your choice down to two or three. Ask if you can take each one for a short leash walk. Ask shelter workers about the dogs’ personalities and habits. Do they have any health issues, for example? Or have they been adopted and returned? If so, why?

Choosing a good breeder

• Be sure to get referrals (from vets, the AKC, local breed clubs).
• A good breeder will be able to answer questions about the dog’s ancestry (remember to ask about parents’ and grandparents’ temperaments. This will tell you a great deal).
• Energy level is critical, so be sure to ask about it.
• Pay attention to behavior. If a pup bounces off the walls at the breeder’s, he’ll probably do it at your home.
• Ask for contact information for other people who have adopted the breeder’s puppies.
• Make sure you see several puppies, so you can find the one you’re most comfortable — and compatible — with.
• No good breeder — and this is something to remember! — will ever let you adopt a puppy that’s younger than eight weeks old.

Places to avoid

Stay away from that pet store at the mall, and avoid buying a pet over the Internet.
In both cases, you’re probably buying a dog from a puppy mill, one of the horrendous breeding farms that churn out litters of puppies in the worst conditions.

So, if your child spots an adorable face in a window, don’t fall for it. Why reward the people who make a living mass-producing damaged puppies in awful conditions?

The post Choosing The Perfect Puppy appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Substandard Breeding Conditions and Inbreeding Can Lead to Disastrous Results

Health problems

Because many puppy mills do not take the proper precautions when breeding dogs, genetic diseases that could be identified during professional medical screenings are often missed and passed down to future generations. Many issues caused by these conditions don’t show up until later in life, and can result in costly veterinary bills.

Behavioral issues

Temperament selection is not taken into account at a puppy mill. Puppies are often separated from their the mother too soon, resulting in development and socialization difficulties and serious behavioral problems later in life.

Contributing to pet overpopulation and euthanasia

When a parent at a puppy mill is no longer able to produce, the dog many be given to the nearest shelter, abandoned, or even destroyed. Also, because the puppies produced in puppy mills do not have safe and healthy homes selected for them ahead of time, if they are not purchased by the time they hit a certain age, they may suffer the same fate.

Since the 1980s, the Humane Society of the United States has been fighting to shut down these facilities. You can do your part by making sure to research before you adopt and by keeping yourself informed!

For more tips on finding a responsible breeder, check out the HSUS.org guide.

The post Why You Should Avoid Puppy Mills appeared first on Cesar's Way.

There are a number of ways that you can avoid puppy mills when looking for a new pet. One of the best ways is to adopt from a shelter or rescue group. This ensures that your new pet comes from a loving home and has not been subjected to the inhumane conditions often found in puppy mills.

What Are Puppy Mills?

Puppy mills can be a danger for families that want to adopt a new dog. A puppy mill is a breeding facility with the sole purpose of churning out the most dogs for the least money – and to make the most profit. The dogs in these puppy mills are often kept in deplorable conditions, with little to no socialization, exercise, or veterinary care.

Why Should You Avoid Puppy Mills?

Substandard breeding conditions and inbreeding can lead to health and behavioral problems in the puppies bred there. Since the 1980s, the Humane Society of the United States has been fighting to shut down these facilities. They have been successful in shutting down some of the worst puppy mills and continue to fight for stricter laws and regulations.

You should not support puppy mills because of their unethical practices as well as the impact they have on the health and wellness of their puppies.

Behavior Issues

Dogs from puppy mills are often poorly socialized. Without human interaction, they can become fearful or aggressive. These dogs may also have a harder time adjusting to life in a home, and may require more patience and training than a dog from a reputable breeder. They may not know how to interact with other dogs or children, which can cause problems when they are brought home to a new family.

Health Problems

Puppy mill dogs are often bred without regard for genetic defects that can be passed on to their puppies. These puppies are more likely to have congenital health problems, which may not be apparent until they reach adulthood.

Puppies from puppy mills are also more likely to be sick or have parasites when they are first adopted, requiring extra care and contributing to higher levels of stress as you worry about your puppy’s health. 

How to Avoid Puppy MIlls

You can do your part by doing your research before you adopt! Here are some tips to avoid adopting from a puppy mill.

Stay Away From Pet Stores, Newspaper Ads, and Great Deals Online

The puppies in pet stores often come from puppy mills. The same is often true for puppies advertised in newspapers or online. If you see a too-good-to-be-true deal on a puppy, chances are it’s coming from a puppy mill. Be mindful of where you are looking for a new puppy, and you can make sure your new pet is healthy and comes from a good home.

Visit the Breeder and Ask Questions

A responsible breeder will be happy to answer your questions and show you around their facility. They should also have no problem providing you with references. If a breeder is not willing to let you visit their facility or answer your questions, you should consider adopting a puppy from somewhere else, as they may be running a puppy mill.

Adopt From a Shelter or Rescue Instead

There are millions of adoptable dogs waiting in shelters and rescues across the country. When you adopt, you save a life and provide a loving home to a dog in need. Puppy mills are cruel and inhumane facilities that should be avoided at all cost. By doing your research and adopting from a shelter or rescue, you can be sure you bring home a happy, healthy puppy and avoid supporting this cruel industry.

How to Spot a Puppy Mill

Puppy mills often sell their dogs through pet stores, newspaper ads, and online websites. Knowing how to identify a puppy mill can help you avoid supporting them.

Small Cages

One of the most obvious signs of a puppy mill is the small, cramped cages that the dogs are kept in. These cages can be stacked on top of each other, resulting in confined environments that make puppies anxious, and the dogs may not be let out enough for socialization and exercise, detracting from their growth.

Poor Sanitary Conditions

Puppy mills are often overcrowded and unsanitary. The dogs may not have enough food or water, and their waste may not be properly disposed of. This can lead to the spread of disease among the puppies.

Puppies Are Separated From Their Mom Early

Puppies should be with their mother for at least 8 weeks, but puppies in puppy mills are often taken away from their mothers much sooner. This can lead to emotional and behavioral problems in the puppies.

How to Tell If an Ad Is for a Puppy Mill

Some signs that an ad may be for a puppy mill include:

The Seller Has Many Breeds for Sale

If a single seller has multiple breeds of puppies for sale, they may be operating a puppy mill. Most reputable sellers specialize in certain breeds, so a diverse array of dogs may indicate less-than-ideal breeding and raising conditions.

Puppies Are Very Young

If the puppies are very young, they may have been taken from their mothers too early. This can cause health and behavior problems in the puppies, and it is a common practice in puppy mills.

The Seller Won’t Show You Where Puppies and Parents Are Kept

A responsible seller will want you to meet the puppies’ parents and see where they are being kept. If the seller is not willing to let you do this, you should question why they would be hesitant. Puppy mill owners are less inclined to show potential buyers their facilities because of the poor conditions the dogs live in.

You Don’t Go Through a Screening Process

Reputable breeders will want to know about your experience with dogs, your living situation, and whether or not you have another dog in the home. They will also likely require a home visit before selling you a puppy. If the seller does not screen you or ask any questions about your home, they may not be invested in the welfare of their puppies and may be operating a puppy mill.

Signs Someone Is a Reputable Breeder

There are many responsible, reputable breeders out there who take great care of their dogs and puppies. Here are some signs that you’re dealing with a responsible breeder.

They Show You the Puppy’s Parents and Home

A responsible breeder will want you to meet the puppy’s parents and see where they are being kept. This is so you can get an idea of what the puppy’s living conditions have been and make sure that the parents are healthy and well-cared for.

The Breeder Provides Medical Records

A respectable breeder will provide you with the puppy’s medical records, which should include information about their shots and any health problems they have. Gaining access to this information can help you feel confident that you are adopting a healthy puppy.

There’s a Waiting List

If a breeder has a waiting list for their puppies, it’s usually because they carefully screen their buyers and want to make sure that each puppy goes to a good home.

They Ask You Lots of Questions

A responsible breeder will want to know about your experience with dogs, your living situation, and whether or not you have another dog in the home. They will also likely require a home visit before selling you a puppy. This is to ensure that their puppies are going to good homes where they will be cared for and loved.

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