When wanting to adopt a puppy, you should prepare for plenty of surprises such as accidents, misbehaviors, and the possibility of ending up with a dog that is different from what you expected. Adult dogs are the ideal choice. They have already shown their actual temperament, size, attitude, and activity level. Imagine how bored you would be if you have nothing to do, nowhere to go, every day, for the rest of your life. It isn t fun. It's not fun particularly for pets who love to run around, play around, and have fun. Before adopting a dog, there are plenty of things you should think about. These ensure that your dog's life with you is a pleasurable experience. For the sake of argument, let s say you are relying on pure instinct to guide you to your dog, without prior plans. The dogs in the animal shelters, on the other hand, rely on their animal instincts to find their suitable owners. If this is the case for you, it is advisable to first test the dog. Do this by allowing the potential dog to sniff you. It will exert pressure on the leash. This is the more reason why the dog will tire easy. Set the pace. A fifteen minutes walk will already be enough during the first time out. This could be increased gradually but the dog should be allowed to rest whether it wants it or not. Another reason for this is because of the excitement, the dog will pull hard at the leash that could injure his neck. When released from the leash and let to roam the yard the dog will look for particular herbs and plants to chew. This is his way to heal himself or at least to revitalize whatever lethargy that the dog is suffering from. The plant will later be vomited and after a while, the dog will start feeling better. Some telltale clues that the puppy has or does not have any physical problems are: Nose and eyes - These should be clean and clear of any debris that is associated with sickness such as mucus. These should also look healthy. Coat - The coat should have a polished, thick look. It should also have no patches of skin or thin fur.