We would probably all agree that when it comes to any business there are those who are responsible and those who are irresponsible. In other words, it’s not reasonable to generalize about commercial puppy breeders. Breeders are not all good, neither are they all bad. As a result, the moniker “Puppy Mill” can sometimes be generally used and sometimes misused by the very people who love dogs and have the best of intentions. This puppy lover has been mistaken more than once, making snap judgments about commercial pet breeders and/or retailers.
Consider Petland.
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“Puppy Mills” - That two-word phrase conjures up a bad feeling in most of us, and a few questions. Is it possible, there are good puppy mills or breeders, as well as bad ones we often see on TV or read about? Should you buy from a large-scale, commercial dog breeder or an independent breeder? Should you avoid buying? Should you adopt a new puppy or dog, instead? In this new five-part series, we’ll consider some of the answers to those questions and offer a few helpful tips.
Let’s look at adopting first. When you’re ready for your new puppy or dog, where do you go to adopt?
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Tug-of-war with a new pup is just plain fun, right? Nope, dog experts say that’s not the case for puppies. You see, early on, a young dog’s behavior is being shaped mostly by its natural, animal instincts. And it’s very important for you to be aware of that fact, especially if you have young children who want to play tug-of-war with their new puppy
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While the news media and America wait to see what kind of dog the next First Family will bring with them to the White House, the next vice-president and his wife have already made their choice.
I didn’t know the next Second Family was considering a new dog until today, when I read this report from CNN Political Producer Alexander Marquardt:
“While the country is fixated on what kind of dog President-elect Barack Obama’s family will get when they move into the White House, his Vice President-elect Joe Biden quietly picked out a puppy of his own last week.
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So, you’ve decided that you want a pet. That pet will be a dog - a puppy to be more exact. Now it’s time for the bigger decision that needs to be made. What breed of dog should your puppy be?
The “breed” decision comes with many considerations. First of all, a new dog owner needs to think about their own personality as well as the personality of their new best friend. Puppies and their owners should be compatible.
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You know that you want to have a puppy for a companion. But, where do you get a puppy? There are a few places that will provide a good variety and a few places that you should probably try to avoid.
Owners want a puppy that is happy and healthy. The health and temperament of your new puppy depends in part on how well he has been cared for before you acquire him. Puppies that have been neglected or abused can become problem cases down the road.
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