What Dog Breed Is Right For Us?

14 December 2023

This will depend a lot on your circumstances and the time you have, as you'll know that will be the case for any breed of dog. You want to get things right. 

 

PUPPY OR OLDER DOG: WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN THINKING OF WELCOMING A NEW DOG HOME


Would a puppy or older dog be better suited to your family and what you can offer. This is a question that I think I should answer fairly for the considerations for each. Now, I need to be careful as a dog is not a robot and has emotions, feelings and temperament. Behaviour can change/develop based on experience, health and genetics but there are certainly factors with this in minds, that we can explore.


My pre – puppy and dog support service provides a service which involves asking questions to the breeder and rescue centre about different behaviours. You can learn more about different breeds over on the Polite Pup Club and how you can channel behaviours.

 

Puppies are special and many people make lots of plans to socialise them and habituate them to different elements they will experience. As they are so young they believe they have a window to socialise them so they are not reactive to things later on in life. This is true, however puppies are not blank slates and their genetics and early experiences can have an effect on their behaviour.


A puppy can:


·     Nip because they are excited and teething. This can be very painful.

·     Go to the bathroom inside because they have a small bladder. They will need to be toilet trained.

·     Cry at night as they have been separated from their litter mates and mother.

·     Pull on the lead, pick items up and not come back when called.

·     Grab and pull on clothes.


An older dog will often be toilet trained, have had obedience training and any challenges around dogs or nerves around noises or certain circumstances will have been identified.


It is hard to say whether a dog or puppy is right for you and your family as it all comes down to what your circumstances are and the individual dog. I would say to always consider what you want and what you don’t and make a plan for things that may arise in the future such as welcoming a baby home. For example you may want to train your dog to only come on the sofa when invited as you may be feeding your baby there.

 

My goal is to ensure I can help you make you aware of all the things to consider when welcoming a dog home. I can help you prevent or solve problems by passing on what I have learnt at university and with working with dogs so you and your dog have a happy life and relationship together. To view my services and how I can help you, check them out here.

10 things you may not know about dog aggression

by Lisa Sinnott • 15 June 2026
Here is some information about aggression.

Understanding Dog Reactivity

by Lisa Sinnott • 12 June 2026
If your dog barks, lunges, growls, or becomes overwhelmed around other dogs, people, or situations, you're not alone. Reactivity is one of the most common challenges dog owners face, and understanding why it happens is the first step towards helping your dog feel calmer and more confident.

Helping your older dog if you are getting a puppy

by Lisa Sinnott • 3 June 2026
Initia l meetings are like first impressions.= they count. Make sure the interaction is away from the house and in a neutral space. When they initially see each other have a treat ready to give but allow them to just watch each other too. Having toys on the floor (if your older dog does not guard can help take the social pressure off. Walking parallel with each other with both dogs on lead can help reduce frustration. If they engage in play, it should be mirrored and matched - always avoid any teeth on body parts. Coming home Dogs shouldn't be right next to each other on the way home. Just like we like personal space on a tube dogs's want this too! Here are some ideas that I got from Canine Arthritis Management for older dogs: If there is a back seat cover for mud an anti not slippy cover is important. Bolsters and cushions can help prevent moving around Harnesses to keep still when you go around any roundabouts can help too. Ramps and steps to get out of the car to prevent lots of pressure on joints ie caravan steps can help too At home Having a safe space for your older dog that your puppy cannot access is key. Feeding times can be over exciting. Just like, us all, older dogs need some tlc. Here are some home adaptations that can help:

Guarding and Possessiveness

by Lisa Sinnott • 18 May 2026
Often people describe resource guarding and possessiveness over items when a dog has snapped or bitten.

Food and how it can be poisoned

by Lisa Sinnott • 14 May 2026
When we live with an anxious dog, it is natural to want to reassure them.

Why Muzzle Training is a Kind Thing To Do

by Lisa Sinnott • 7 May 2026
There can be many great reasons to muzzle train every dog , just in case they ever needed it. These include: 🐾Accidents and emergencies – if a dog is in pain they can be unpredictable sore and aggressive in an attempt to protect themselves. Placing a muzzle on them without any training before hand can stress them out even more and could mean treatment is delayed. This can happen with ANY dog even if they have never shown aggressive behaviour before. 🐾Summer – As you may have seen in the news, very sadly a dog attended a tulip festival and after eating some passed away. More people will be having picnics due to the lovely weather and we don’t want a stressful and expensive vet trip if your dog eats something. 🐾A change in behaviour – a muzzle keeps your dog, people and other dogs safe. 🐾Travel – Many ferries and countries have rules that dog’s must wear muzzles. There is also a good website here , that takes you through steps. I am going to host a muzzle training workshop - you can find out more here. Adapted from the Muzzle Up Movement.

Living with a reactive dog: how to look after yourself

by Lisa Sinnott • 21 April 2026
Having a dog who shows reactive behaviour can leave you feeling tired, on edge and emotionally exhausting experience at times. It is really important to look after yourself. I hope these ideas help you.

Dogs who are nervous of sounds

by Lisa Sinnott • 18 April 2026
Helping dogs who are nervous of sounds It can be really tricky and feel hard when your dog is feeling nervous of sounds that you do not have control over. They may freeze, startle, growl, try to flee, shake, drool or more. Here are some considerations if your dog is nervous of sounds. As well as the noise, there is the physical vibration too.

Fight behaviours

by Lisa Sinnott • 15 April 2026
Have you ever wondered that even if scared why a dog will run towards something? If a dog is barking and lunging at something that they are scared of then surely they would avoid it... right? This isn't always the case!

Emotions and the vet clinic

by Lisa Sinnott • 6 April 2026
Why Emotional Wellbeing Matters at the Vet When it comes to veterinary care, the focus is often on physical health—but a pet’s emotional experiences important If stress and fear are overlooked, it can shape how an animal feels about vet visits in the future. Negative experiences may lead to increased anxiety, defensive behaviour, or even the need for sedation during routine examinations. By considering how our pets feel, we can help create calmer, safer, and more positive veterinary visits. Chat to your vets about how they can support your dog.