Do I Want an Adult Dog or a Puppy?

Nobody can resist a puppy; that sweet puppy smell, that adorable face, and the insatiable curiosity. All cuteness aside though, puppies are a lot of work and every pleasure of a puppy has its match in unpleasantness.

Pros:

A Fresh Start
Starting with a puppy is starting with a blank slate. While genetics do play a role in how your dog matures and what type of temperament he develops, most of his adult life will be shaped by you, his owner, trainer and "parent".

They Learn Fast
Puppies are usually quick learners (as long as proper training techniques are used), and are always eager to make you happy.

Cons:

Time-Consuming
Puppies take a lot of time. You really don't want to get a puppy when you aren't home a lot of the time. Your puppy will be missing out on valuable training and socialization if he is he left alone for long periods.

Easy to Make Mistakes
Inconsistent or infrequent training sessions can drag out basic training, or in some cases produce undesirable results. Your puppy can't associate a mistake made five minutes with a punishment or correction now. His short-term memory is practically non-existent.