Written by Jesse D., Experienced Dog Trainer and Groomer

1. Choosing Your Dog

Do you know what breed you want? Have you decided farm or apartment, big or small, agility training partner, hunting partner, or just plain best friend? It is prudent to do a little research first. If you have a breed you particularly like the look of, learn about that breed’s needs. Consider temperament, space and exercise needs, and possible health problems. You might change your mind, and that is okay. Dogs shouldn’t be an impulse choice because once you have committed yourself to owning dog, he’ll be around for a long time. Putting the necessary time into choosing the right one will pay off in the long run.

May we make a suggestion? Please consider adoption first.

Seventeen million dogs live as pets in the United States Some work for a living: guarding, guiding, assisting, hunting or pulling loads. Some are comforters and pals; they run with us, play with us, share our beds, food, homes and friends. Dogs have been shown to lengthen their owners’ lives, cure depression, even help autistic children survive and thrive.

That’s the wonderful part. The part we sometimes would rather not think about is less pleasant.Petfinder.com reports that 20,000 to 32,000 dogs enter an animal shelter every single day. Animal shelters around the country receive eight to twelve million dogs and cats per year. More than half of those are euthanized because there just are not enough homes for the sheer number of abandoned dogs. Approximately 25 percent of the dogs entering shelters are purebred. Less than 20 percent of all those pets find their way home. (Sources: PetFinder, ASPCA)

Rescue groups all over the country devote themselves to certain dog breeds. For any kind of dog you can imagine, from Abruzzenhund to Yugoslavian Hound, someone is looking for a home for that very dog right now. Thousands of shelters and rescues are listed by state and by breed and are readily available to view online. Most shelters will allow you to leave your information if you are looking for a certain breed; they are only too happy to know that one more dog will have a home.

2. Preparing For Your New Dog

Now let’s say you know what kind of dog you want, you’ve done your research and you’re confident that you and your pup will be compatible. The time to outfit his home is before you go to pick him up. New dogs of any age are going to be nervous when their world is suddenly changed. Make the transition as easy as possible. At Pet Super Store, we are completely dog-crazy – but you knew that, right? We are 100-percent dedicated to giving you and your dog a great start. We have everything your new buddy could ever need, from grooming, training and traveling supplies for all the years ahead.

If you decide to bring home a toy breed: Stress and fear can cause his blood sugar to drop suddenly. If your new puppy becomes listless, inactive, and seems disoriented — immediately give him a little bit of corn syrup or granulated sugar, hold him and comfort him until he’s acting right again. Do not let it scare you. It’s just a normal thing that sometimes happens to little dogs in stressful situations.

3. Congratulations on Your New Family Member!

Please visit our Facebook page and tell us all about him! We always love to witness what a simple yet amazing animal like a dog can do to improve the lives of its humans.