But once past the first few months, when the dog learns to depend on the kindness of his new family, the bond is forged. Here are some points to keep in mind when choosing a dog . If your time is limited, choose a dog that needs little grooming, minimal training, and only moderate exercise. If you are an inexperienced dog owner , do not choose a large dominant dog or a dog with high energy level unless you are committed to six months of steady, patient, consistent training and a dozen years of daily walks of a mile or more. If you do not have a fenced yard, be prepared to walk the dog at least twice a day and to clean up his waste.
Mixed breeds tend to have the characteristics of their component breeds.
If you have not chosen wisely, don't expect rescue to bail you out. However, do ask rescue for help in managing the dog's behavior so the situation does not get worse. Obedience training is the best prevention and the best cure for behavior problems. A dog can be trained at home, from a book, but it is better to attend a class where the he can get social contact with other dogs and strangers. A dog that learns from the beginning to obey everyone in the family is less likely to become a juvenile delinquent.