| Adding a puppy to your family is a very serious | | | | family, you then need to determine the breed. You |
| decision that should not be taken lightly and requires a | | | | should take into consideration the amount of space |
| lot of thought. A puppy is a lot like a small child. They | | | | you have both inside your house and outside. Do you |
| require constant care and attention. If you are unwilling | | | | have a fenced in yard? What is the activity level of |
| or unable to provide that, you may want to wait until | | | | the breed I am interested in? What is my activity level? |
| you can. | | | | Do the two match well? Am I willing to make sure the |
| If you have small children now, you may want to | | | | puppy gets the recommended amount of exercise? Is |
| consider waiting until your children are a bit older | | | | there someone home during the day to look after the |
| before adding a puppy. I've had both small children and | | | | puppy? Will the puppy be confined for long periods of |
| puppies and I can tell you from experience that I would | | | | time? If you work, can someone come home during |
| not want to do both at the same time. Just like babies | | | | the day to check on the puppy? Are you willing to put |
| diapers are always needing changing, puppies are | | | | in the time necessary to house train the puppy? You |
| always needing to go outside to do their business. | | | | should look at pictures of both the puppies and the |
| Trying to coordinate the two without losing your mind | | | | grown up dog. Do you like the looks of both? Always |
| or cleaning up a lot of accidents is difficult. | | | | remember that puppies grow up to be dogs. What |
| Small children and puppies don't always mix well either. | | | | size will the grown dog be? Will it fit in my house |
| Small children like to explore and don't always | | | | comfortably? Dog proofing a house can be a lot like |
| appreciate that their actions can really hurt a puppy. | | | | babyproofing. Am I willing to put in the time and effort |
| And puppies are within their rights to defend | | | | in making my home a safe place for a puppy? |
| themselves from over eager children. This can result in | | | | Puppies can add a great deal to your family life. They |
| nips and scratches for your children. Not a good result. | | | | can teach your children about responsibility as well as |
| You also don't want your children to become afraid of | | | | help your family stay active. They give unconditional |
| dogs which could happen if the puppy defends himself | | | | love. I believe they are an integral part of family life, if |
| too strongly. | | | | you are ready for them. |
| After you make the decision to add a puppy to your | | | | |