Juan oye _____ su perro Spot.

Would I use a personal a in the blank or leave it as it is.

5 answers

I'll send this to our Spanish expert, SraJMcGin.
This could be a personal choice! If you consider your pet part of the family, you COULD. Ordinarily personal "a" is reserved for anything you wish to personalize, and that could be a city, country, pet, etc.

Sra
I'll flag this in case you have further questions. That means I 'll come back later.
what about this one
Necesito _____ un abogado.

The "personal a" is necessary.

The "personal a" is not necessary. I think that it is not necessary
Quiero _____ mi esposo Jorge.

I think the personal a is necessary
Correct! You are "depersonalizing" un abogado here = not necessary

However, it IS necessary with "mi esposo Jorge" because that IS personalized.

I think you have it!

Sra