Dog Handbook - A Manual for Dog Lovers

The Dog Owner's Handbook Chapters

• Overview of Different Breeds of Dogs
  
• Selecting a Breeder
  
• Purebred versus Mutt
  
• Adopting A Dog - Puppy or Adult?
  
• How to Housebreak Your Puppy
  
• Obedience Training For Your Dog
  
• Is Your Dog Fat?
  
• Proper Diet for Your Dog
  
• Canine Vaccinations Are Essential
  
• Dogs Have Allergies Too!
  
• All About Heartworms in Your Dog
  
• Dental Care for Your Dog
  
• Fighting Flea Infestation
  
• Your Questions on Canine Hip Dysplasia - Answered
  
• Travelling With Your Dog
  
• Some Useful Links

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

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Adopting A Dog - Puppy or Adult?

Adopting a dog is an exciting event. Truly a man's
best friend, you can rely on your pet to give you
company, companionship and some can even
guard your house. You need to review your personal
lifestyle and needs when adopting a dog. It is a major
decision whether or not you choose to have a puppy
or an adult as a pet. Before deciding on which dog to
adopt, here is some useful information that
might help you decide.

Puppies

* Bringing up a puppy is an advantage because this
means that you guide its growth and well being. You have the
chance to raise it according to what you want. This means
you can ensure that it is properly nurtured with the right dog
food, ensure that necessary vaccinations are given and
prevent heartworm at this early stage. Having your puppy
personally trained is also a plus since you can teach him
exactly what you want.

* You should adopt a puppy when it is at least 10 weeks old.
Puppies need a lot of time to be cared for by their mothers.
This is a crucial stage for them. They somehow gain a
psychological advantage for both puppy and for the mother
dog as well.

* A puppy can easily adjust to new surroundings as
compared to an adult dog even though most puppies may
cause minimal to major damage to your personal stuff while
they are in the stage of teething. They need to be
housebroken and house training needs a lot of time, effort
and patience from the owner.

* There is no assurance of what a puppy will look like when
it grows up; especially it is a mixed breed. Also, his
temperament might change too when he grows up.

* Most pet owners love how puppies can be entertaining for
the entire family. They are very cute and adorable pets that
is a hit for both children and grown ups. Puppies can be
easily regarded as one of the family.

Adult dog

* You would have less of a fuss taking care of an adult dog.
They already have this established behaviour that you can
easily adapt too. By being with the dog more often, you
would have more or less an idea of what its temperament is
.
* You need to get as much information as you can when
adopting an adult dog. Take note of its habits and mood
swings. Hopefully you can acquire this valuable data from
the previous owners of the dog. Some adult dogs may have
some behaviour issues. It is important to take note of them.

* It may take some time and effort for an adult dog to be
completely comfortable with a new owner.

* You need to introduce an adult dog to your children and
other household members before bringing him into the
home. This would help the dog be familiar with them and
helps them refrain from biting or barking thinking that they
maybe strangers.

* Adult dog may not need your full attention unlike puppies
need and would require lesser trips to the vet.

* For a fully grown dog physique and behaviour is basically
not a variable anymore. What you see is basically what you
get.

* Most dogs are housebroken already so they would cause
lesser damage to your belongings and don't wake up at
night like most puppies do. They have usually overgrown the
impulse of chewing things that strike his fancy.

* An older dog can easily adapt to other pets, like other
dogs or cats, if you have a group of them at your household.
Adopting a dog is not an easy task and choosing which one
to adopt can be a little tricky too. Everyone loves sweet
looking puppies, but not everyone can stand up to the
tiresome house training although most appreciate the
bonding shared with them. Adult dogs need no great amount
of guidance but can still turn out to be a lovable pet.
Whichever you think is the right pet for you, just keep in
mind that taking care of them needs a lot of time and effort.
In return, they would always keep you company and has
ready smile with an excited wag of tail waiting for you
everyday.