Is it really a PUG you want?  Questionaire...

        Pugs are the sweetest, cutest, and most cheerful little dogs, but like any creature, man or beast, they do have some points that are considered not as good, such as; they often snore when they sleep. If you are a light sleeper this may keep you awake.  Because of their short noses, they sniffle and snort and sometimes sneeze right in your face as you hold them up to you.  If you are very concerned about hygiene, this could gross you out ! And because they have such wonderfully thick, nearly waterproof coats, when they shed they leave little dog hairs all over the place, about twice a year. If you are very tidy, this may annoy you.  

       Most Pugs are quite active, all the time, and they like to be right there and into whatever you are doing, if you want a calm and sedate little dog, a Pug may not be the one, as they dont settle down until near middle age! 

       The following are some questions that I will ask you, if you contact me about getting a Pug puppy. Please read them and answer them for yourself first to see if you are ready for the responsibility of a new member of your family, a Pug!

      Do you have a fenced in yard or play area outdoors for your new puppy? In just a split second, puppies and even older dogs- who should know better- sometimes will be distracted and chase a rabbit or follow a child out to the street and be hit by a car. If you put them outdoors to go potty, it should either be in a fenced area or always take them on a leash.

      Have you ever had a Pug before?  Have you had a dog before?  Do you still have it? If so why do you want a second? Will both get enough attention?  What about other pets, will they accept a new puppy without being jealous and harming it?

      If you have any children, how old are they?  Because Pug puppies are so wriggly and strong and energetic, they can jump out of the arms of a child under 5 and get a concussion when they hit their head of the floor, this can kill them. For children over 5 who are taught to be careful and gentle with a puppy they are a perfect playmate as they are always wanting to play and never seem to run out of energy.

       Would your Pug be left at home alone all day once in awhile?   If so, would you have a nice safe puppy play pen to keep the puppy in so he wont chew on electric cords or mess all around the house? You can buy nice wire sided exercise pens and line them with newspaper and a blanket for him to sleep on, or when the puppy is bigger, you can keep him in his travel crate which to him is his private den to hide and sleep in. Dog are quite happy to sleep most of the day, as long as they get to take a walk in the morning and evening and play with you then.

       Does your family all agree they want a Pug? Have you decided who would be the one to clean up after and feed and walk and train the puppy to be a well behaved little dog?

       And one of the most important questions. Do you really have enough time to give to a whole another little personality in your life? Just like people, dogs thrive on attention, and they feel sad and depressed if you are always too busy to play with them and pet them and train them.Then they get odd ailments or chew on everything because they are unhappy. Dogs take much more attention then fish or most birds, or even cats, to be happy and feel a part of your "pack".  Too many people just get a cute puppy on a whim as they would a little toy, and then when it starts growing up they are shocked at the time and care it takes, and they start to get annoyed with it and then it ends up at the animal shelter.

     And are you willing to do at least some basic obedience training so your puppy will become a good citizen, and a member of your family you are proud of?  Dogs as a species learn much from their parents and pack as they grow, social manners, the right ways to behave, who to respect and obey. Any dog should at least learn to sit, stay, come, walk at your side without pulling, go potty outdoors, get off the furniture, to be quiet when told to and to never bite or growl at you or your family. This takes teaching, it doesnt just happen by itself! You can take your Pug to dog training class or just read several books on the subject and pick the method you feel most comfortable with.

      If you can answer most of these questions in a positive manner, you could be on your way to having a Pugnatious Pug puppy!