Before you bring a puppy into your home, it is important that you are ready for the commitment. It takes a lot of hard work – and money – to care for any animal but especially a new puppy. You need to be sure you are ready for a puppy.
Taking care of a new puppy is just like looking after a toddler. It’s hard work, and there will be many challenges. If you are the sort of person that gives up easily, I can tell you that owning a puppy isn’t a good idea. There will be plenty of times when you get frustrated. They will cause damage, and they will misbehave – just like a child. When you adopt a puppy, you’re adopting them for their entire life.
Can you provide the time, care and love that a young dog needs? To find out, read the guide below to see whether you are ready for a puppy to join your family.
Are You Ready For A Puppy?
Time
If you are considering bringing a new puppy into your home, you need to be sure that you have the time to dedicate to one. Puppies are very different from adults dogs. They need constant attention, and a lot of work goes into their care.
If you work and your kids are at school all day, you probably aren’t ready to adopt a puppy. Puppies have more energy that adult dogs. Canines crave companionship because they are pack animals by nature. And if you intend to leave them alone all day, it’s going to upset them. Of course, you can hire a dog walking service so they get some exercise, but your company is just as important to their mental well-being.
Money
Another thing you need to consider before getting a puppy is the money involved for the things they’ll need.
Puppy training classes
You will not only have to pay for food and vet bills, but you will also need to invest some cash into training classes too. You want your dog to be well-behaved, and dogs need discipline. Otherwise, they will misbehave and will be hard to live with. If you want to be a good dog owner, you need to be willing to commit to taking your puppy to training classes. A dog that constantly misbehaves can be difficult to live with, so training your puppy is crucial.
Food
Puppies often need different food than adult dogs which can cost more. If you want to make sure that your puppy grows into a healthy and happy dog, you need to feed him or her good quality food. Because a dog’s food impacts their health in many ways, so the better quality food they are fed, the healthier they will be.
If you’re unsure of the best diet for your dog, ask your veterinarian for advice. They should be able to suggest a food that’s a good fit for their breed and activity levels.
Veterinarian bills
Speaking of the veterinarian, a puppy’s initial vet’s bills can be very expensive since they need more immunizations than an adult dog. A puppy’s first year will probably be the most expensive year of their life. After the first year, puppies will usually need fewer immunizations. They will need heartworm and flea prevention though, and those can be expensive.
You should also be aware of the cost of vet’s bills if your dog gets sick or is in an accident.
No one wants to think about these things, but it would be worse if they happened and you didn’t have the funds to deal with it. That is why a lot of people take out insurance policies for their pets to help with the cost.
Grooming
You’ll most likely need to take your dog to a groomer to keep their coat and claws healthy. If your dog has a long coat, failing to have it groomed can lead to painful tangles that can break the skin. If you don’t have his or her claws cut, they can catch and rip out while on a walk. Regular grooming is essential.
Patience
When you’re deciding if you are ready for a puppy, you need to keep your own temperament in mind. You will definitely need to be patient. When they are young, puppies often take awhile to get used to you and their new surroundings.
Housebreaking a puppy
Puppies aren’t always fully trained, so this is something to consider when you’re deciding if you’re ready for a puppy. You will have to put up with accidents while they are growing up, which can be a problem for some people.
Can you handle the mess?
As they get older, puppies will start shedding. Believe me, their fur gets everywhere, and this means you spend more time cleaning than before. Some dogs do shed less than others. Do your research, and make sure you take their breed into consideration, especially if you suffer from allergies.
Space
Another important factor you should take into account before getting a puppy is the space you have in your home and yard. Most dogs need space to run around in. Apartments that have no access to a yard can make difficult homes for dogs who need to run.
If you have limited space, you should consider a smaller breed of dog since lap dogs often need less vigorous exercise than the large breeds. No matter what their breed or size, they will need regular access to an outside space for exercise and toileting.
Are you ready?
So, are you ready for a puppy? Yes, puppies are adorable, but think carefully about the kind of life you can provide before making your decision to adopt a puppy. If you can handle everything in this guide, then maybe you are ready for a puppy. If not, wait until you can.
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