********************************
I just wanna say Wow thanks guys for all the feedback, I spent time reading through everyone of them and thought to
type my thanks here instead! You guys rock, and are super helpful in all the detail informations! Thanks!!
********************************
What's a better place then to ask for random questions then DA

So here I am, I've been thinking more and more seriously about getting a puppy, but I'd like to ask all your dog lovers/hater for advice so I have a better idea of what I'm getting myself into.
I'm thinking of getting a pug, cuz they just look so funny, and I could use a buddy around the house.
So just how hard is it to take care of a puppy?
For those that got one, are they awesome for keeping you company or how would u describe your life before and after getting a dog?
Any words or advice to get me more advice before getting myself into something I can't turn back from

Thanks!!!
Just some random other things...it's really important to get the puppy socialized - towards other adults, old people, little kids (especially kids, but make sure they are not grabby kids who don't know how to approach animals), and other types of animals. Your life will be A LOT easier if your dog isn't fazed by social situations. Also, since you're looking at a smaller dog, you have to watch them a lot more closely when you're out. Some people don't know the strength of their dogs, or the owner is a bully and think it's fun to push around something small, or the other dog isn't well trained, and cute dogs are a kid magnet, so you really have to be on the lookout and be able to judge situations two steps ahead of other people. Our previous dog was a rottweiler and he was an absolute gem (after two times through obedience school, ahaha), but we have small dogs now (less hair mess!), and I was very surprised at how different it felt to be out with them. With my old dog it was like a situation of equals, but with our dogs now, I'm definitely the one who is looking out for them.
Don't be in too much of a rush to get them out though...I would think wait until your puppy (if you're choosing to buy rather than adopt) is done with its vaccinations. If you bring it out of the home too soon, the people or even the ground you set him on (like in a park) can get him sick (parvo is a dirt-dwelling disease).
For spaying/neutering, if you are going to get a boy, you might want to let him grow into himself a bit before neutering him. We neutered our rottweiler when he was...I can't quite remember...I think he was ~2.5 years old-ish...because if it was done earlier than when his secondary sex characteristics set in, he'd have looked skinny/petite all his life. Your vet will probably be able to fill you in on that better.
I think also you should look at what the breed was bred for and make sure that matches you and what you want and can provide for. Every dog is different and all that, but terriers are generally going to be energetic and single-minded, etc. But...maybe that's not so relevant since you want a companion dog and pugs are companion dogs x) Looking up the health problems they are prone to is also a good idea. It can give you a good idea of what to watch out for or what kind of bills to expect.
OH, this is really random, but if you're not going to do those anti-flea things, or your dog happens to pick up a flea before you reapplied it, when you're taking them a bath, wet and soap up their neck first, then proceed down the rest of their body. Chances are the fleas are on the dog's body, so if there is a ring of soap on their neck from the start, it is a lot harder for them to pop onto the dog's head and escape the bath. haha, my mom found that out with our old dog...it made quite a difference!
Pros: cute, small, loyal, clean, and they generally have a great sense of humor (they actually try to make you laugh!)
Cons: hard to train, MANY genetic health problems, including cherry eye, obesity, ear infections, and MANY breathing problems, they snore, and some - when excited - have a hard time breathing.
My cousin owns two, and she adores them, but she has the money to pay for their many illnesses. Also, she's alone since she's divorced and her kids have moved out.
I know quite a bit about dog breeds and consider myself a matcher. If you'd like some help, let me know.
pugs not uggs
This is not a matter of the puppy "liking" you, it's a matter of how attentive they are to human companions. Human-attentive puppies are easier to train. I'd avoid puppies that avoid you, or don't pay attention to you.
Some people have recommended getting a trained adult dog instead of a puppy that you need to train. That option hasn't worked out for me the one time I tried it, although I'm sure it's worked out for others.
The cost of the dog, crate, bed, toys, food, dishes, leash and collar, training classes, the 3 sets of first vaccines, spaying/neutering (Pugs sometimes need to have their soft pallate operated on too to help them breath $$$). I highly recommend getting pet insurance too, because it's not "if" something happens to the dog, it's "when".
So expect to pay about 3000$-4000$ the first year alone.
And if you don't have pet insurance, any additionally vet bills could be 500$-1000$ easily.
Also a puppy will need to go outside to be house trained, after it eats, when it wakes up from naps, after playing. . . basically every hour at first then every couple of hours as it gets older until it's 6 months.
Basically, if you can avoid leaving it alone for more than 4 hours a day (because longer is not fair to the dog) and can train it well, and can afford the costs, then go for it, because dogs are great.
And don't forget, you want to buy a "dog", yes it starts as a puppy but it will be a dog at some point. People forget that too often then give up the dog when it is no longer a cute puppy.
I am a veterinary technician, I see this all the time.
now as for puppies i recommend that when you raise it that you make sure that you assert yourself as the pack leader. dogs will always have their wolf intincts, and if you let it think that it determines the rules then you will have one hell of a time trying to get the house back under your rule. dogs like huskies and german shepherds are very strong willed and it takes alot of work to assert yourself as the head of the house. info about various breeds can be found here
[link]
now the really good thigns about dogs. if you raise them right a dog can be your best friend. there is something special about being part of a pack. its a kind of love that not everyone gets. your pack is always there for you and will always be happy to see you. my best friend is a dog and i love her with all of my heart. its more than just a responsibility, its an emotional commitement. the worst thing about dogs is that they dont live as long as people, and one day you will have to say goodbye. in my opinion... it is worth all the tears and the sweat. no friend will ever love you like your dog. it is the best feeling in the world