Thinking about getting a dog....

[PweEzy]

Also, For rescues, I am not 100% familiar with how they operate. Can I go in and begin to apply and let them know that I am looking for that particular mix and they call me when they think they have a match?? Or do I have to continue to go in and check the new arrivals? I assume the new arrivals come in every day, so I would def hope they could contact me.

[Skittles1101]

Also, For rescues, I am not 100% familiar with how they operate. Can I go in and begin to apply and let them know that I am looking for that particular mix and they call me when they think they have a match?? Or do I have to continue to go in and check the new arrivals? I assume the new arrivals come in every day, so I would def hope they could contact me.

It depends on the rescue. You can definitely apply to as many as you like, email/call and tell them what you are looking for. You can usually look at the available dogs on their pages, but sometimes they get a new foster in and they are not posted yet. My mom works closely with a boxer rescue, and they generally work the same way so if you have any rescue questions feel free to ask. It's a common misconception that "rescue/shelter dogs" are not as good as breeder dogs because they have a history. More often then not, they are sweeter and more well mannered because of their history. Some grew up with neglect or abuse (or just surrendered for financial reasons too...not all have bad stories to them) and when they are given a new loving home, they take advantage of it and mold to it, not the opposite. I've had nothing but good experiences with shelter and rescue dogs.

[PweEzy]

Most (not all but most) breeders of hybrids are in it for the money. I can tell you from personal experience that you can most likely find a Boglen in a rescue. They can be very difficult to train for first time owners. They are stubborn, thick headed and a huge ball of energy. These things lead them to be dropped off at rescues because they are "untrainable".

This is another reason why I would want to get one really young. My buddy got his as a puppy and the repetition stuck with the dog and is now well trained. In yalls experience isn't is alot harder to train an older dog that may already have bad habits? I would assume that if you start them young and they don't have the chance to develop those habits, they will be alot easier to train.

[Skittles1101]

This is another reason why I would want to get one really young. My buddy got his as a puppy and the repetition stuck with the dog and is now well trained. In yalls experience isn't is alot harder to train an older dog that may already have bad habits? I would assume that if you start them young and they don't have the chance to develop those habits, they will be alot easier to train.

That's another misconception. A squirt bottle filled with water does wonders to train old dogs with bad habits. There's many ways to divert bad behavior to good behavior, including using treats. IMO and experience puppies are harder to train than older dogs. My mom took in a foster boxer, 7 years old from a crappy neglected house, he has turned out to be the sweetest thing, he's great with my 4 y/o son and 7 y/o sister. We were told he'd kill a cat if he saw it....about 3 days of getting squirted in the face (my mom has a cat too...) and he was able to sleep on the same couch as the cat....

[AkHerps]

Adopt a puppy

If you want a dog from a breeder, there is a lot you need to know.

There are puppy mills, back yard breeders, and reputable breeders.

Puppy mill puppies are puppies you get from pet stores, or shops, or random people who have hundreds of dogs that they breed to death for money and then sell to stores.

Back yard breeders are people who breed their dogs for money, because it's fun, or for whatever reason. These people usually don't care who their dogs go too, they don't health test them, they don't breed for temperament or health. Usually they just want to make some cash.

A reputable breeder is someone who breeds a certain breed to better the breed. They test their dogs for different things like testing their hips, eyes, hearts, etc...They care about the dogs and although they can be expensive, they don't even make a profit or break even. They breed for temperament and health, not just conformation to the breed standard. They don't breed mixed breeds and sell them for thousands of dollars calling them pure breeds like goldendoodles or whatever you want to call them. Those are mixes, not a pure breed.

Buying from a reputable breeder is the right way to go unless you want a cheaper dog that can end up with massive amounts of health problems.

Dogs like Bostons need to come from a reputable breeder because of their breathing and facial problems.

[PweEzy]

So I have been looking and looking and looking for an adoptable pup but haven't found one I like yet. I decided that finding the right one to adopt will be the turning point on when I actually get my first dog. I wont buy from any breeders, I will just wait it out and when I find one I like, thats when I know I'll be ready to go ahead and get it. One thing I've noticed is there are tons of pitbull and pitbull mixes for adoption, but since almost every apartment complex has a no pit rule, this obviously wont work for me. I think my biggest dilema is that I like how the bigger dogs look, but prefer a med to small dog, so it will just be a matter of finding that right one. I did find a beagle/spaniel mix for rescue that is pretty cool, so I will post a pic if I ended up getting her...

[llovelace]

I was in the same boat as you. I decided to become a foster parent for a dog rescue, back in Feb. I am fostering 2 mini schnauzers now. The organization provides all the food, vet care & flea products. I have fallen in love with my Haley and will be adopting her, and if no one adopts Jane, I guess she'll stay also lol.

[SpartaDog]

Always, always, always adopt. Shelters do their best to match the dog to the owner. If there's a trait the dog has that wouldn't fit your situation, the shelter will find you another dog. "Unpredictable" dogs don't get put up for adoption. As for size, any dog over 2 years is probably full-grown or close to it. Also, aside from medical reasons, don't have your heart set on a single breed. My mom always said she would never have a pit bull, not because she was afraid but just because she liked other dogs better. And yet here we are, with an adorable little pit/boxer mix, and she's the perfect dog for us.