|  I realize there are certain circumstances where some people have to give their beloved pets up, but there are also some people who act like pets are trading cards and they give them away then get another at their own leisure. Especially small dogs.
1. Do NOT buy a pet for someone as a present unless you are absolutely sure they want it, are not allergic to it, and can have it at the place they live.
2. Make sure any pets you already have get along with the new pet before you actually keep it.
3. If you are wanting a puppy, yet plan to have kids in the next 14 years, please be aware that you will be taking care of a dog and a child at the same time. If that doesn't sound like something you can handle then do not get a puppy (or don't have a child).
4. Make sure EVERYONE living in your home is not allergic to the new pet. Just because they've "been around" that type of pet before doesn't mean that they aren't allergic. It could mean that a short exposure to it doesn't do much to them. Also, different types of dogs have different hair which can cause the allergens and dander that get people sneezing and what not.
5. If you are moving within a distance that you can drive, take your pet. They can endure some hours riding in a car with you rather then spending the rest of their life without you, missing you, or taken to the pound to be put to sleep. Small dogs are lap dogs and can fit in your lap, a purse, or small carrying apparatus. They would rather be uncomfortable for awhile then miss you forever, trust me my dog howls for me if I leave for 30 mins!
6. Make sure if you are moving to an apartment you find one that accepts your type of dog BEFORE you move in.
7. Please research the breed of dog you will be getting so you know what you are getting into. Even if you want a small breed dog, they can be a lot of training as well! And not all are cuddly and always sweet some breeds can be snippy, protective, and like to bark a lot. Which brings me to point 8.
8. Be prepared to train your dog! Whether you do it yourself or take them to a professional or at Petsmart, always be prepared to train your dog and have time and patience and enough will to be consistent. I have a 3 year old Min Pin I got from someone last year, who got her from some weird lady who kept her in a van, and had her for literally a day and a half and gave her to me because she said she didn't have time to house train her. Now, at 2 years old my dog wasn't housebroken, which was just sad and it took me 2 weeks before I could get her to even PEE outside. And after that it was about a month or two before she stopped going indoors altogher with no going "sometimes" on the floor. So be prepared to train your dog. She is now happy, and housebroken, and a spoiled baby lol. Her breed is stubborn to train, they like to take stuff and hord it. Which mine does all the time. So again, be prepared to train your dog! If your dog is naturally behaved then you are lucky!
9. Do not get your pet as a seasonal or holiday gift. Once the magic of the season has worn off, so will the magic of the new pet. A bunny for Easter, cute, but when the kids would rather be out with friends or playing Xbox instead of taking care of the rabbit and picking up poop, guess who suffers? The rabbit. Puppies for Christmas! A classic, until you find out your girlfriend is allergic, or can't have pets at her place, or she finds out she just doesn't have time to actually spend with a pet. 3-6 months after a holiday I always see stuff like "1 year old puppy. Got for Christmas for the kids, but they don't take care of it..." Yeah they are children you have to start with stuff like goldfish and work your way up to the responsibility of a dog. Even hamsters are a popular pet to get for a child. But after a while children just lose interest so be ready to donate it to a classroom as a class pet. Also make sure you are getting a hamster breed that does well with being handled, teddy bear hamsters are adorable but mostly they like to run away from people, jump from your hands, and take off running.
I don't think everyone who gives there dog up is bad or anything, but I have been on Craigslist in the pet section and I always see very stupid reasons pets are being given away that could have been avoided easily just by thinking about the above things. Try to adopt from a shelter, they get puppies there too! And if you choose an older dog chances are you do not have to worry too much about training and house breaking as they will already be accustomed to this.
So, just think before you get a new pet, it is not just your life that is changing, but the pet's life too, and you will be responsible for their life.
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