For those who may be thinking of adopting a dog, a lot may have changed since the last time you trained a furry friend. It pays to do a little research, make an honest appraisal of your lifestyle, and determine what you expect from a canine companion, as well as how well equipped you are to deal with the little imperfections that even the best dogs come with.

The first question most people confront is whether to get a puppy or an adult dog. Everyone thinks that puppies and kids look so cute together, but in reality, puppies have little sharp teeth, and are a lot of work. Sometimes, the busy family would do better to adopt a mature dog that has already passed the "chewing stage" and is already used to children's antics. Working people may want to think of choosing an adult dog that is already house trained