If the pup insists on going to places where you do not want him to (like digging on a flowerbed for example) and you are tempted to tug at the leash, carry the pup instead, then move to another location. You could already take a more firm control when the pup appears to be comfortable being restrained. Even if your previous plans are all but forgotten, remembering the tips below can still help you resist that overpowering desire to bring them all home. Try talking yourself out of it. Debate with yourself about your options. Ask yourself questions about whether you are ready to commit yourself to a particular dog. For athletic and active people though, no dog breed is as good. Intelligence Who would not want an intelligent dog? The sad thing about this is that you cannot have all the characteristics that you want written down to one dog. Intelligent dogs are those that could pick up a command with five exposures and does not forget even when the command is not repeated often. More than that, a dog's life spans more than fourteen years that they invariably become members of the family. Outside of marriage, adopting a dog is your only chance to choose a family member. Because of our strong attachment to dogs, it is not enough to have just another dog. It is too easy to fall into that kind of trap. From tiny toy dogs as small as your coffee mug to giant dogs that seem more like a bundle of muscle than dog. Small dogs are most vulnerable and are often associated with female owners. They are cute, dainty, very delicate and oftentimes boisterous. If you want a pet that you can carry with you, a small dog toy or lapdog is a perfect choice. Barring that the dog is ill; you could make every walk in the park as enjoyable an experience for both you and the dog. Set the pace. Start slowly. Dogs will always be excited during their first time out. Dogs, especially when still untrained, gets easily distracted. It could be a squirrel, pigeons, other dogs, people, no matter; the dog's attention has to be controlled.