With fall on the way, you can't help but think of Christmas which is just a few months away. Every year, parents fight the crowds at the malls and stores to find that "must have" gift of the year. We remember how hot the Tickle Me Elmo gift was a few years ago. Then there was the Barney craze, Beanie Babies, Power Rangers, Barbie, and the list could go on and on. Of all the really neat things to get for Christmas, getting a new puppy tops the list. Who wouldn't want a cute, furry, cuddly little puppy as a gift? It's the perfect start to a great relationship. Just think of it, soon the dog will be a regular member of the family. He will have his own spot at the dinner table, his own spot on the couch, his own spot on the bed, and he'll think that your home decor is a lot of chew toys that you left out for him to enjoy because he is such a great dog. And let's not forget the beautiful potted plant in the corner of the living room. Your dog will thank you for putting it there, that way he doesn't have to waste time to go outside to use the restroom. Besides, he has more important tasks awaiting him.......chasing the cat!

All joking aside, owning a new puppy will be a very rewarding experience. Today's article will be the first of several articles that deal with selection, socialization, and training for your new puppy.

First of all, you need to ask yourself "Why do I want a new dog?". Am I getting this dog to be a companion, for hunting, protection, work (search and rescue, service dog for disabled, etc...) or is this for a child or elderly person as a gift? Depending on why you want a new dog, there are certain breeds that you may or may not want to get. A lot of people who purchase or adopt dogs, do not know much about the breed and are getting it because of the way that it looks. When you go to purchase or adopt a new dog, you need to keep some things in mind. First of all is how big will this dog get? If possible, look at the parents of the puppy. If that's not possible, then look it up on the internet or ask a professional. Make sure the adult size of the breed will suit your lifestyle and is what you want. You also want to look into what kind of grooming cost can you expect with this new dog. Some dogs only need occasional brushing and bathing, while others may require extensive grooming. Also, how much will this dog shed and what type of coat does it have. If you suffer from allergies, there are some dogs that would be better for you than others.

One thing that cannot be ignored while you are frantically trying to find that perfect dog, is finding out what this particular breed was bred for! This is important in many ways. I have found out as a trainer, that a lot of dog owners were quite surprised to find out that their dog was behaving a certain way because of his instincts. For example, many blue heeler owners have discovered that their dog likes to nip them on the heel as they walk and play in the yard. Many breeds require a lot of work and attention to fulfill their needs and drives. By properly researching a breed, you can find a dog that is right for you and your family.

Many people have found great dogs at local shelters or rescue groups. Sometimes its not perfectly clear as to what the breed is. I have seen many mixed breed dogs that turned out to be excellent family dogs. Before you adopt, you should watch to see how the dog interacts with other dogs and how does it respond with humans. Without knowing where the dog came from and what its' life has been like up to this point, sometimes makes it hard to accurately assess what kind of dog this may turn out to be. Speak with the shelter workers about the dog. They will tell you what kind of experiences they have had with the dog and may even know where it came from. They most likely will be very honest with you, because they want your relationship with the dog to work out so that they don't end up with the dog back at the shelter.

I have found a website that is great for offering advice on what type of dog is right for you as well as offering breed descriptions and information. The website is Dog Advisors . Here you can fill out an online questionnaire and in seconds, they will recommend certain types of dogs for you based on your response. I highly recommend this site for anyone interested in getting a new puppy now or in the future. Also, just for fun, complete this questionnaire and see if it lists the dog you currently have as a possible match! You might be surprised!

If the coming holidays find you looking for that new puppy, take some time to do the research and find a dog that is perfect for you and your family. If you do, you will save yourself both heartache and headache in the future. My next article will start to address the training needs of a new puppy and how you can make a lasting impression on you dogs behavior right from the beginning.

As always, please feel free to write or email your questions or comments to me. You never know, your question might just be a future article! Have a great week and don't forget to spend some time with your dog!