>>126953083As for how to get a dog, here's how I did it:
>Go to dog shows and meet breeders.>If there's a specific breed you're interested in, find out if there's a local or regional club dedicated to the breed that'll be having a show near you. If you're just curious about different breeds, an all breed show can be really fun. There's a ton of downtime at dog shows and breeders absolutely love talking to people about their dogs.>infodog.com lists most dog shows>The national breed club can also be a great resource, although they're less likely to have a show near you.>Do a bunch of research to make sure the breed is the right fit for you and that you'll be able to care for it. Dogs are a huge commitment. >know what potential health problems there are with the breed, review the potential parents' health info https://ofa.org/. Pretty much all decent dog breeders have their dogs tested for the most common breed issues. It took me months to get a dog, it's not uncommon for year or longer wait lists from good breeders. You can always get a dog faster and cheaper, but you really don't want some puppy mill dog that hasn't been socialized well or bred from healthy dogs.
A lot of people get small dogs and don't train them. Small dogs are trainable though! If you go to your small breed's national specialty show, you'll see poms, yorkies, bichons, etc. doing competitive obedience, rally, and agility. I've had her for about 8 weeks now and I work hard on training every single day. She can sit, stay, come, heel, down, watch me, drop things, and walk loose leash. We're working on good manners, sitting still while being brushed, staying focused when outside and on walks, and obeying commands in distracting situations. Training is a lifelong process that should never stop.
>>126947166>>126947572The pom is sleeping but we'll listen to these tomorrow.
