Tips for a soon-to-be puppy owner

[EEKappa]

Some excellent advice on crate training!

I'd just add to research breeders, and DO NOT buy a puppy from a pet store. My dog that I got through breed rescue spent the first 4 months of her life in a pet store, and she has issues that ten years of training hasn't solved.

There are disreputable breeders also, and the breeds you're considering are very popular, which can lead to over-breeding to meet demand. A good breeder's priorities are temperament, health, and conformation to breed standard, and will not mate dogs that will pass undesirable behavior traits (e.g. aggression) or genetic conditions on to the next generation. And a good breeder will also ask you lots of questions to make sure that you will give the puppy a good home.

Best of luck on your dog-owning adventure!

[CUGreekgirl]

If you search online for breeds you're interested in and "rescue" you should be able to find rescue organizations -- for example, here is one for Bichons. I plan to adopt a greyhound someday, and will go through greyhound rescue.

Valkyrie, Have you checked out www.petfinder.com? It has listings in every state for adoptable animals and a search engine that you can search for the particular age, breed, size, etc. of dog you want. The great thing is all the animals are in shelters or rescues. I think its awesome you want to go through a rescue to get your greyhound.

I'd like to add we adopted 2 of our dogs from petfinder. One is a purebred Border Terrier which are VERY rare in my area (in fact there are less than 50 listed for adoption in the whole US and most of them aren't purebreed). The second was a Pit Bull mix puppy. I wasn't really looking for a Pit Bull, but when I saw her I fell in love and had to save her life!

We also have a Bichon Frise. She was 2 when we adopted her. She was left as a stray. She is now 16 and the best dog ever. I don't know if you are insistent on getting a PUPPY, but I'd just like to add that adopting adult dogs are great. We never had to go through any of the house training, etc with the two older dogs since they were adults when they came to us. They seem to know we saved their lives and are most appreciative.

However, if you are determined to get a purebreed puppy from a breeder or pet store look at this links first. It explains all about where Pet store pups come from and why you shouldn't get one from a pet store. All dogs that I have known to come from a pet store have had MAJOR health problems that the breed normally wouldn't have.
http://hattrick-dals.home.att.net/10Reasons.html
http://www.arescuemom.org/PetStorePuppies.htm
http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affe...lls/index.html

Hope these help...