This article by Marcie M. Jensen of http://camprunapup.com/wp has important tips in choosing a puppy. I couldn’t have said it better myself! I think her comment about not getting littermates shines light on something I have noticed about our Rottweiler, Lola, now about a year and a half old. We got her last year in a rescue situation when she was about eight months old. We learned that she had just before that been separated from her sister, a littermate (within the week or two before we got her). Well, Lola loves us dearly and I do find her quite easy to train, but it is evident to me that she is more dog-focused than any other dog we have ever had. I must say that Marcie puts the case against littermates considerably more strongly than I would have, but I left that paragraph in as food for thought. What do you think about getting littermates?

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Is it possible to pick the perfect puppy? I’m happy to tell you yes, with some effort on your part. The first step is to buy or borrow a book on dog breeds. Look up the breed you are considering and read about them. A puppy will always demonstrate the traits it was bred for. If digging drives you nuts, don’t buy a Terrier. If you don’t want a dog that barks and herds you, a Sheltie is not for you. If you can’t spend a good part of your time playing and training, don’t buy a Border Collie. Do your research. If possible, talk to a trainer, groomer or veterinarian. These people see what happens when a dog becomes stressed. A breeder is likely to tell you that the breed they deal with is the best. Well, of course! Why else would they be breeding them?

A lot of people say, “My puppy picked me!” In other words, their puppy ran right up to them, and they bought it. They have just brought home a very dominant, demanding pup, which is fine for some people. However, most people will find it stressful to live with this dog. A much better choice for MOST people is the puppy who kind of hangs back, and then when coaxed, comes over and allows you to pet and play with it a bit. Do not ever purchase a puppy who runs and hides or is afraid of loud noises. In other words, you clap your hands and the puppy freaks. This puppy will be very difficult to train and will have noise issues its whole life.

All these rules hold true even if you’re not getting a purebred dog. Do not - I cannot express this strongly enough - Do Not get two puppies at the same time. Never be tempted by littermates. Several things will happen when you buy littermates… Neither will bond to you because they will bond to each other. You cannot train two dogs at once. A dog does not need another dog to play with; they love to play with you!

Be very careful when selecting your new family member. Remember, a dog is not a disposable plaything; a dog should be forever.