How to get a dog
You’ve decided to get a dog – but how do you go about it and where should you go to get one? It all depends on whether you are planning to adopt a dog or get a puppy.
Reasons to adopt a dog
There are always plenty of dogs looking for new homes. Many are no longer wanted by or able to be cared for by their owners. Others may have been rescued from environments where they were not being cared for.
It can feel very rewarding to adopt a dog and give them a second chance in a loving new home. If you are leaning towards getting a puppy, don’t forget to check out adoption centres or breed rescue societies.
- Read more about how to adopt a dog
Find dog rescue centres
There are many dog rehoming centres to choose from. This includes the larger charities such as Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, SSPCA and the USPCA – as well as local rescue organisations. Do your homework first and read reviews from other adopters to find a good rescue organisation. A good starting place is Rescue Review – a website where people can leave reviews about their adoption experience.
Reasons to buy a puppy
Many people love the idea of getting a puppy, and who wouldn’t when they are so adorable. But be prepared for a lot of work! If you decide to get a puppy you may get more choice over the breed or type. Beware of puppy scams – sadly lots of people are more interested in making money than breeding happy, healthy puppies.
Find a puppy for sale in your area
Do your homework to find a reputable breeder. Sadly there are dodgy dog breeders who are more interested in your money than finding loving homes for their puppies. A great starting point is to search for a breeder using the Puppy Culture program. Once you find a breeder you feel comfortable with, you may still have to wait a while for your puppy. A good breeder won’t necessarily have puppies available for you to take home straight away. If they do, this could be a warning sign. Here’s five things to look for when buying a puppy:
- They have been bred and raised in a family home.
- You can see the puppy with its mother in the place where it was born.
- The puppy is used to being handled and brushed, is happy having their ears and paws touched, and has been introduced to different people other than the breeder.
- They are confident and inquisitive and interested in you and their surroundings.
- The puppy will be microchipped and wormed before going to their new home.
- Read more about how to pick a puppy from a litter
Play it safe and use the Puppy Contract. A good dog breeder will be happy to provide information about your puppy and use the contract. If they won’t do this, it’s best to walk away.
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Testimonials
What Clients say
about Puppy School
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“Definitely a great basis for puppy training and we will be attending more classes. Also liked the fact it was a small class.”— Jeff
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“Lilly was very friendly and engaging throughout the course. She was also always happy to answer any questions we had at the end of the classes. Our Bonbon absolutely loved Lilly! ”— Molly
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“We enjoyed the class immensely it was very helpful and both Barney and the family gained a lot of knowledge and confidence at an important time in our bonding and setting a foundation for our future together so we will all be happy.”— Thomas
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“This course was fantastic. Jenny the trainer has a wealth of knowledge. Extremely approachable, and gave sound advice to our queries. She really knows her stuff. The groups size was just perfect, which meant each pup was not overwhelmed. I would recommend the course and definitely recommend Jenny. She was brilliant.”— June
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“Alice was absolutely lovely and helped us with some issues that weren't covered in the syllabus, she was so knowledgeable about everything puppy behaviours and she taught the class well. The venue was great, there was plenty of space for each puppy and for exercises without it being too big and scary. Nelly loved attending puppy school and we learnt so much about dog training and behaviour.”— Mandy