Are you or your family considering bringing a new puppy into your household? Have you been preparing to take the plunge into the unknown that is puppy-raising? When you’re confident that you truly want a puppy and can give it a good forever home, it’s important to put aside a few hours to conduct as much research as possible on how to choose a puppy that’s right for you. To help prepare yourself well, read on to learn about the common pitfalls to avoid when choosing a puppy.

Don’t Separate the Puppy Too Early

Puppies grow quickly from birth. They start opening their eyes, hearing, walking, and responding to flavors and scents. They learn to respect their mother’s correction, how to engage with their siblings, and not to nip too forcefully. Through play, they establish a pack order and begin to exhibit submissive stances.

The most accelerated learning happens between the eighth and sixteenth weeks. This is the most influential stage for your pup’s future social behavior. Therefore, it is crucial for a puppy’s maturation that they remain with their mother and littermates until they reach at least eight or nine weeks old. Otherwise, pups with inadequate early socialization, or those that are not exposed to their surroundings at a young age, will frequently experience psychological abnormalities and dysfunctional habits that last a lifetime.

Never Prioritize Just Their Appearance

Don’t make the typical mistake of seeking just a certain appearance or fur color and letting your personal preferences take precedence over more crucial qualities. It is critical to spend time researching the various dog breeds and their personality types. Even within a litter, there is sometimes a wide range of temperaments among the puppies. You should not choose one simply because it is attractive. Check for breed predispositions, training needs, and energy levels that fit your daily lifestyle.

For instance, those adorable little sausage Dachshund dogs may capture your heart, but when you’ve investigated to find that they are an extreme digger breed, you would rethink bringing one into your neatly groomed backyard instead of getting upset at your dog after. Always check the puppy’s innate breed trainability, friendliness, outdoor and indoor activity level, and other characteristics. Go down and actually meet the puppy. By taking the time to identify the dog breed that best suits your lifestyle today, you and your puppy will be much happier in the years ahead.

Refrain from Getting Two Puppies Simultaneously

When you get two pups simultaneously, they will develop a deep attachment with each other instead of with you. Because when presented with the choice of developing a primary relationship with a foreign person or another puppy their size, their connection will naturally be deeper with a fellow pup. Usually, they bond so strongly that as they develop into adult canines, it becomes challenging to keep them apart. Even if for brief periods, being apart from the other can cause acute separation anxiety.

Therefore, having one puppy at a time is the greatest approach to ensure a solid relationship. This puppy will blossom into an adult dog with a strong attachment to you. If you’re still thinking about getting a second pup, make sure to spend at least one year connecting with, training, and socializing your first puppy.