-
Step 1
Look for a puppy that looks healthy, with no ribs showing, or signs of distress or lameness. Also, any puppy you choose should not have any discharge from its eyes, nose, or ears. Behavior and attitude can be molded to some degree, but illness can be much harder to overcome.
-
Step 2
Clap your hands or make a loud noise to make sure the puppy responds and is not deaf.
-
Step 3
Find a puppy that has a personality to best fit into your family. For example, if you have a disabled child, a hyperactive puppy may not be the best choice. If you live in an apartment building, you definitely do not want the barker of the bunch.
-
Step 4
Try to spend time with any puppy prospects away from the litter. Make sure the puppy will come to you and does not flinch or run when you try to pet it.
-
Step 5
Do not be afraid to ask the owner for some alone time with the puppy. Some dog breeders will even allow you to take the puppy to a local park for a few hours with your family. If this option is available, be sure to take it. Just as you can't know a person's temperament after a few moments, you cannot know a dog's either.
-
Step 6
Ask the breeder questions about feeding and sleeping habits of the puppies in the litter. You may not want a puppy that only eats a certain mixture of three types of food, or one that sleeps all day and plays all night.
-
Step 7
Take a good look at the parents of the puppy. If the parents show traits you are not happy with, this may not be the litter to choose from. There are many illnesses that can occur in older dogs. If the parents seem unhealthy or have specific illnesses, your new puppy may have inherited these same issues.
