Q&A for How to Pick a Puppy from a Litter

Just reward your puppy for good behavior and pay lots of attention to it.

First, temperament test the dog. If the breeder seems to cover up something or says things like "He never does that, it's fine," beware.

You can't pick a dog online. You can look at litters in online ads posted by breeders, but you should never choose a puppy until you've seen it in person. Also, if you can't see the mother for any reason, you should leave - a good breeder will always have the mother available for viewing.

Take it to the vet for an intensive check to ensure the puppy does not have worms or other diseases.

There are tests you can do to determine which puppy would be better. For example, if they are golden retrievers, tests to see how well they will do with retrieving, and if they are hounds check to see how well they can track. Just Google search "(their breed) puppy ability test."

It depends on what vaccine. Some vaccines are done as young as 7 to 8 weeks old. Rabies vaccinations, specifically, can't be done until the puppy is 6 months old.

No. These dogs need to be in a home with older kids, not kids who will want to play with them 24/7.

Yeah, you will have time. I have three dogs and I'm in school. It's not hard to feed them three times a day. Feed them when you wake up, when you get home from school, and when you go to sleep. Walk your dog and play with him as much as possible.

You'll want a dog who has both parents as herding or working dogs, then any of the puppies are good. One tip is, try putting a puppy on its back, if it doesn't fight you, it will be more submissive and easier to train (that's how police dogs are chosen). The ones who struggle are very stubborn (still good dogs though!).

Talk to him about the dogs. The news often highlights the bad stories such as dog attacks, but doesn't always do a good job of emphasizing the positive attributes of dogs generally or certain breeds. What would be ideal is if you can find someone who owns a Pomsky who can share his or her good experiences with your dad and answer any concerns he has.

It depends on what you'd like. In the article, the puppies' personalities are listed. Would you like the timid pup? What about the rebel? It all depends on the characteristics you'd like. (Warning: The article and other posts mention to never get a dog that seems too shy, or relaxed that it won't come to you. If it won't come to you, try not to pick that one!)

If you're up for the challenge of providing plenty of daily exercise, it should not matter if you live in an apartment.

That would be a good choice for children of their age.

Rottweilers are great guard dogs. If you want a bigger, more muscular dog, choose a puppy with big paws. Most of your dog's guarding skills will come from training. Any dog can be a guard dog if trained properly.

If you really want one, save up for a hypoallergenic dog. This may take a while, but it is best for your sister. If you can't save up, it is best not to get a dog. Some allergic reactions to dogs can be life threatening.

Like people, puppies snort and grunt, but there is nothing much to get them to stop. Just accept these sounds are part of having a pet.

Wait until the pup is at least 6 weeks old, then its attitude should have developed.

Ask the breeder or shelter about his favorite treats and train him with these. He is more likely to listen. You could also get a clicker.

I have owned many German shepherds they are a very protective breed but they can be very sweet and calm. It sounds like your dad had a bad experience with one. You can try to get your dad to meet some, but if he won't, it sounds like you may need to decide how badly you want a dog.

The shorter the better, until your puppy reaches adult age. One hour per month old is a good rule of thumb.

Order some online or ask the breeder if they would be willing to give you some until you can transition to the new food. Once you have the old food, buy some of the new food and slowly integrate it little by little into his meals.

It depends if it's a male or female. If it's a male, Rover is a great name for a beagle. If it's a female, maybe something like Dixie for a beagle.

It depends on how old the kittens are. If they could be injured or harmed by a lively young dog, it is safer to wait until they are cats.

In some cases, yes, but not always. Shy dogs can be less likely to get into trouble though since they are generally more concerned with punishment.

There are a few reasons. One, if you wanted to show him, he might be too big (although that sounds like a designer dog anyway). Two, if he has any behavior problems such as biting or jumping, it would cause more damage. Three, many people want a small, cute dog (not that big dogs aren't cute) that can sit on their lap or ride in their purse.

French bulldogs are perky breeds, so if you're meeting it in person, go for the most hyper one. It may seem like a bad idea, but after a bit, it will calm down. Don't pick the one that lies in the corner and just sits there. Something may be wrong with it.

You should pick the one that feels right to you. If you felt an instant connection with the runt, you should get her, even though she's timid. Their personalities change as they grow older. Go with your instincts.

No; usually a more seasoned mother will have healthier puppies.