They need more than a cozy place to stay; they need thorough attention and care. Unless you are ready to fully commit yourself to the rehabilitation of a puppy, you should settle for a more mature dog. Having said that, mature dogs in animal shelters are the ideal dogs to consider for adoption. You already have everything you need to know about the potential dog. Sure, the breed's temperament and characteristics are just approximations of how the dog would turn out when it's full grown and that individual dogs have individual personalities. Still, the dog's breed can still give you an idea of what to expect. The dog's function. Not all people who adopt a dog do so only to make them as a pet. The dog need to fear its owner from time to time, but mostly it does not create very strong bonds. It is often more recommended to build that bond out of mutual love, not fear. Recent researches by animal behaviorists also showed that animals do not really learn much from negative treatments. It obeys true but often, only to the extent that it is avoiding the pain that results. When the dog starts to nip, it is a signal that the dog have had enough, let the dog rest and do not allow another occasion to reach that point as it also teaches the dog to become dominant. Likewise, do not allow nor encourage wild behavior. The dog also appreciates hierarchy. If it learns from the start that you play dominance or is the alpha male, it would be easier to make the dog follow your commands. Source Of The Dog There are, in general, three places from where you can adopt a dog from an animal shelter, from a breed-specific rescue group, and from general rescue group. Animal shelters often serve as temporary shelters for dogs that were rescued from the streets. Rescue groups, meanwhile, house dogs in home-like settings where the dogs are observed and taken care of. The following will walk you through to potty train the pup. Because you are expecting the pup to urinate you could very well anticipate that it is bound to happen. Once you see a pup raising a hind leg, carry him outside to a designated place where the pup could relieve himself. Typically a pup that is good for adoption is about three months old.