• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Your Dog's Friend

A NONPROFIT IN ROCKVILLE, MD WITH FORCE-FREE, POSITIVE DOG TRAINING, FREE WEBINARS & ADVICE

  • Home
  • Webinars
    • Schedule
    • Videos
  • Online Classes
  • In-Person Classes
  • All Classes
    • COVID-19 Policies
    • Schedule At-A-Glance
    • Puppies – Start Here!
    • Basic – Start Here!
    • Beyond Basic
    • Behavior
    • Reactive Dogs
    • Sports & Enrichment
    • Single Session
    • Kids & Dogs
  • About Us
    • About YDF
    • Location
    • What Is Positive Training?
    • Instructors & Staff
    • Donate or Volunteer
  • Life with Dogs
    • Choosing Your Dog
      • Plan for A Successful Match
        • Write Your Dog Wishlist
        • Learn About Breed Tendencies
        • Reputable Breeders vs. Puppy Mills
      • Where To Look For A New Dog
      • How to Select The Best Dog For You
      • Preparing Your Home For Your Dog
    • General Advice
      • Dogs 101
      • 10 Tips for Humans
      • What Your Dog Needs
      • Prevent or Find A Lost Dog
    • Dogs at Home
      • Advice for Puppy Parents
      • Children & Dogs
      • Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby
      • Multi-Pet Households
    • Dog Parks & Dog Play
    • Body Language
      • Learn to Speak Dog
      • Reading Body Language
  • Resources
    • Positive Trainers & Behaviorists
    • Dog Walkers & Vacation Care
    • Products We Sell
    • Books, Toys, & Products We Love
    • Websites We Recommend
    • Grooming
    • Need Help Paying Vet Bills?
  • Behavior Issues
  • Contact

Picking The Perfect Pup: Where Do You Look?

Where To Get Your Dog

Local Dog Shelters

Shelter dogs have been surrendered for all sorts of reasons. Lately, there are many dogs given up when a family member has been unemployed long-term and could no longer afford to keep the dog. Some are strays. Others were given up because someone was allergic. Still others have tales of abuse. But they have one thing in common: they all want to be good dogs. Your local shelter is a great place to start your search for the perfect pup.

Local Rescue Groups

Rescue groups come in two types: breed-specific and all-breeds. These groups are generally non-profit and volunteer-run and very passionate about finding forever homes for their dogs. Where do they get dogs? Most often, a rescue group pulls dogs from high-kill shelters when their time runs out. Some of these dogs are local and others are transported from shelters in areas where there are more dogs than adopters. Rescue groups usually place a dog in a foster home and can get a pretty good picture of a dog’s personality before it is adopted. Local rescues usually have their own websites, but nearly all of them list their dogs on Petfinder.com.

What breeds are best for you? Check out our Breed Tendencies page.

Breeder

Buying a dog from a breeder doesn’t guarantee good health or temperament.  Reputable breeders will test their dogs to minimize the chance of genetic defects in their puppies, but there’s no guarantee of perfect health.

Signs of a good breeder:

  • Specialize in one or maybe two breeds
  • Does tests to ensure breeding dogs do not have genetic defects
  • Has very few litters a year (often has a waiting list for puppies)
  • Invites you to tour their facility and meet the puppies and mom dog
  • Will interview you at length before selling you a puppy
  • Will not let puppies go home before 8 weeks of age (sometimes 10 or 12!)

Click here for more on how to distinguish a real breeder from a puppy mill.

 

Classified Ad / Craigslist

You may run into a cute face and a “free to good owner” or “small adoption fee” listing.  Buyer beware. The vast majority of these postings (especially for young dogs) are puppy mills, backyard breeders, or scammers. While you may find a super adult dog this way, remember you’re depending on the previous owner’s honesty.  Ask to see the dog’s vet records and if you can, bring the dog for a check-up at your vet before you commit.

Pet Store

No, no, no. That puppy in the window is cute and you want to take him home. But that puppy’s mother lives in a puppy mill. She’ll never get snuggles or walks or play fetch. She’ll only interact with other dogs when it’s time to get pregnant again. When she’s outlived her ability to pop out puppies, if she’s lucky, she’ll be dumped at a shelter. If she’s lucky. It’s sad, but true. The only way we can stop puppy mills from operating is to stop shopping at stores that sell puppies.

Next Up…

You’re meeting a dog… how does that work? What do you look for? Click here to continue.

Primary Sidebar

Featured Free Webinar

Featured Online Class

Featured Body Language Video

Dogs don't speak with words. They speak with their bodies. They are talking ALL the time. An excellent video by TheFamilyDog.

Before Footer

yourdogsfriendtraining

Nonprofit to support dog parents in DC & worldwide
R+ dog training classes (online & in person), free webinars, advice, referrals
Nicole (she/her) 👋

Your Dog's Friend
We have a few Puppy Party openings for puppies >20 We have a few Puppy Party openings for puppies >20 lbs this coming week! 🐶 🎉 
.
Link in bio!
.
#puppyplay #puppyparty #happypuppy #puppytraining #puppytips #puppiesofmaryland #puppiesofdc #dcpuppy #rockvillemd #positivereinforcementdogtraining
😍🍦 @rooneyinmoco @metropolitandogllc . P 😍🍦 
@rooneyinmoco 
@metropolitandogllc 
.

Posted @withregram • @rooneyinmoco I did a good job in class today at @yourdogsfriendtraining so mom took me to @sarahshandmadeicecream for a Pup Cup after class! 🍦❤️
👏 🎉 @mrperrydoodle !! . Posted @withregram 👏 🎉 @mrperrydoodle !!
.

Posted @withregram • @mrperrydoodle My Official AKC Trick dog Certificates came in Novice and Intermediate Trick Dog right here 😎so is that Mr. Paddington Perry- CGC, TKN,  TKI now 🤓
#akctrickdog #akcnovicetrickdog #akcintermediatetrickdog #akccaninegoodcitizen
Teddy exploring at Puppy Social this week! 🛹 @m Teddy exploring at Puppy Social this week! 🛹 @metropolitandogllc 

Posted @withregram • @president_teddy_tot Conquering all obstacles
Our next online Calling All Dogs! class all about Our next online Calling All Dogs! class all about coming when called starts Mon Mar 22 with @joyful_dog ! 
.
Does your dog think twice when you call? Are distractions getting in the way of a rock-solid recall? Spend four game-packed sessions learning how to change that response and help your dog understand that coming to you is the best thing in the world.
.
Link in Bio! Or go to YourDogsFriend.org/Schedule.
.
#recalltraining #comingwhencalled #dogrecall #dogrecalltraining #dogtraining #dogtrainer #onlineclass #onlinedogtraining #virtualdogtraining #weloveonlineclasses #happydogs #longline #callingalldogs #yourdogsfriend
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Footer

Copyright © 2021 · Your Dog's Friend · Log in