We are in the very initial stages of talking about getting a dog. It would be a first dog for both DH and I, we did have dogs when I was very little but no real experience.
While there's the obvious 'ahhhh' factor about a puppy, we obviously have never trained a dog before. And I know there are lots of dogs in shelters who are looking for good homes*
My question is, how do you choose? How do you know you're not going to pick a dog with a 'bad' history? If dogs have been in shelters, does that automatically mean they've been badly treated and therefore have problems? How honest are staff, would they tell you the bad things as well as the good?
I'm nervous about making a mistake - how awful would it be to commit to a dog and then for it not to work out? - but of course DS/safety have to be the priority. Can anyone offer any advice?
*I didn't want to make this too long, but I think we can offer a good home, I'm at home most of the day, we only have one DS, live near an area with lots of great walks, etc. And we are definitely taking our time over the decision - even though it's what we want, we won't do it unless it's right...