7 Things To Consider Before Getting A Puppy

Oct 14

Puppies are adored by pet owners. They're lovely, playful, and friendly little beings that you can carry around with you wherever you go. What's not to like about that? Puppies are difficult to resist. Perhaps this is why so many people adopt a puppy before they are ready or understand how to prepare for one.

Before you decide to bring home a new puppy, there are a lot of decisions to make and variables to consider. Don't succumb to impulse and bring a puppy home at an inopportune time. Do your homework first. Find out if you're ready for a puppy and how to get one responsibly. Learn how to prepare for your new puppy and how to properly raise that puppy.

Are You Prepared to Adopt a Puppy?

Puppies are adorable, but they take a lot of effort to care for. If you've never owned a puppy before, you may not realize what you're in for. Being prepared to get a dog, especially an adult dog, is one thing. Raising a puppy necessitates an even greater level of dedication.

Puppies should be fed three to four times per day when they are young. They must be taken outside as soon as possible after eating or drinking so that they can properly defecate and get house trained. While they are still being house-trained, puppies will have accidents in the house. This can result in a significant amount of cleanup.

During the night, a puppy may wake you up multiple times. It could be due to the puppy's urge to go outside, or it could just be due to boredom.

It's impossible to leave a young puppy alone for more than a few hours. When left alone, the puppy should be kept in a crate to aid in house training and prevent the puppy from chewing up everything in the house. A puppy, on the other hand, can't retain its bladder for more than a few hours (and sometimes bowels too).

Puppies have the potential to cause havoc. They like to investigate, chew, lick, and possibly ingest the objects in their surroundings. They have no sense of propriety and may be obnoxious or hyperactive. Puppies must be trained and socialized, as well as given plenty of exercise. These items take a long time to complete.

Are you willing to return home from work in the middle of the day to care for your puppy? Are you prepared to be awoken in the middle of the night? Are you willing to devote a few hours per week to training and socialization? What about your other pets or family members? Will a puppy be too much trouble?

If you get a puppy when it's small, expect to spend a lot of time with it, especially in the first few months. If all of this is too much for you, but you still want a dog, try adopting an older dog.

What Kind of Puppy Should You Get?

So you've assessed the benefits and drawbacks of puppy ownership and determined that now is the ideal moment to welcome a puppy into your home. Congratulations! It's now time to go find your new little friend. Where do you begin, though?

First and foremost, determine which breed of puppy is best for you. Make a list of the characteristics or characteristics you absolutely must have, those you prefer, and those you absolutely do not want.

Do you want your dog to be large or small? Small dogs often thrive in cramped quarters. Large and huge dogs cost more in terms of food, supplies, and medications.
Do you want an active dog as an adult, or one that will likely quiet down in a year or two? How much physical activity can you provide?
Take into account the type of hair coat as well. Are you willing to go through the process of shedding? Do you want a dog that sheds very little, or do you want a dog that sheds a lot? Low-shedding dogs need to go to the groomer on a frequent basis. Is this something you can afford?

Where Should You Look for Your New Puppy?

It's time to start looking for a puppy once you've figured out what kind of puppy you want.

Consider adopting a dog first if at all possible. Mixed-breed dogs are incredibly wonderful and underappreciated. Even if you're not sure if a mixed breed dog is right for you, visiting a local shelter or rescue group to see several puppies is worthwhile. It's possible that you'll fall in love!

You might be dead bent on getting a purebred dog. Many people have a favorite breed or want to know what to expect when their dog reaches adulthood. In a purebred dog, characteristics such as size and coat type are extremely predictable. Health issues, temperament, and energy levels are all fairly predictable, but not always.

If you decide to get a purebred dog, you must be responsible. Look for a reputable dog breeder with a lot of expertise. Backyard breeders should be avoided. Never buy a dog from a pet store since they are often from puppy mills. Don't buy a puppy from a flea market or a classified ad since the puppies' backgrounds are unknown and they could be ill.

It will just seem right when you find the correct dog for you. The majority of dog owners will tell you that their pets selected them, not the other way around!

Make Your House Puppy-Proof

It is critical that you prepare your home before your small friend arrives. Make every effort to puppy-proof your entire home. Destructive puppy behavior is typical, annoying, and potentially hazardous to your dog. Your dog will undoubtedly seek out all of the small dangers.

Look for dangers from the perspective of a puppy:

As much as possible, conceal any electrical cords.
Lock cabinets that contain food or medications, poisonous chemicals, or other potentially dangerous household objects.
Keep houseplants up high where your dog won't be able to gnaw on them.
Purchase a garbage can with a lockable cover or store the bin behind locked doors.
Laundry, shoes, and other small items should be kept out of reach. These are sometimes chewed on and/or swallowed by puppies.
Keeping an eye on your puppy at all times is the greatest way to keep it safe. While you're gone, keep your puppy in a crate (just avoid leaving for more than a few hours when your puppy is still young). A puppy should not be given complete control of the house until it is older and more well-trained.

Invest on Puppy Supplies

Before you bring your new puppy home, you'll need a lot of dog supplies. Before you end up with a bunch of stuff you don't need, such as toys your puppy won't play with or beds your puppy won't sleep in, start with the essentials. To get started, you'll need the following items:

A four- to six-foot leash is a good starting point (later you can get an extra-long one for training)
Collar with ID tags that can be adjusted
Pet food and water dishes made of metal or ceramic (avoid plastic as it may cause skin irritation1 and is easy for puppies to chew up)
Food for puppies
Simple dog bed with plenty of room for growth
Crate for your dog with plenty of room to grow
A couple of easy dog toys (try one of each: a squeaky toy, a plush toy, a chew toy)
Brushes, combs, and grooming mitts that are suitable for your puppy's coat

Other items, including as grooming supplies and preventive products, will become necessary as your puppy matures. Your veterinarian can assist you in determining which items are most appropriate for your dog's needs.

Locate a Qualified Veterinarian

Within a few days of arriving home with you, your new puppy should see your veterinarian for the first time. Even if no vaccines are due, it is vital for the puppy to get a physical examination. This is an opportunity to ensure that the breeder, shelter, or rescue organisation did not miss any health issues.

It's crucial to select a reputable veterinarian before bringing your puppy home. You won't have to hustle to get a vet because you'll already have one lined up. Look for a veterinarian clinic with a good reputation and a location that is convenient for you. Check to see if their rates are within your budget. Asking around and doing research are the greatest ways to discover a decent veterinarian. Consult with pet-owning friends and family members. Take a look at the online reviews. You might wish to go on a tour of the hospital and meet some of the personnel to get a sense of the location.

Bring all of the paperwork provided by the breeder or adoption group with you on your puppy's first visit. Your veterinarian will examine your puppy and go over the puppy immunization regimen with you. Puppies require many fundamental immunizations starting at the age of six weeks. Some immunizations require a booster shot within a year of the final dose in the initial series.

Learn How to Properly Raise Your Puppy

Puppies require extra attention to ensure that they grow up to be healthy and happy.

Choose a puppy-specific diet that is high in nutrients.
Begin house training your dog as soon as you get him home. Be aware that this could take several weeks or months.
Start small with your obedience training at home. Be patient and constant in your approach. Don't be too strict, though; let your puppy be a puppy!
Make sure your puppy is well socialized. Take your puppy to a variety of locations so that it can become acquainted with new sights, sounds, people, and pets.
However, only allow your puppy to interact with healthy, vaccinated dogs.
Enroll in puppy training lessons with a reputable trainer. This will not only help your puppy learn, but it will also let him to socialize.
Make a workout program a part of your daily routine.
Maintain a regular schedule for puppy vet appointments and vaccinations.
Make time for play and connection. You can even play games with your pet.

Set up the structure ahead of time if there will be more than one person in your home who will interact with the puppy. When does the puppy get fed and walked, and who is responsible for it? Ascertain that all parties agree on the puppy's travel restrictions. Collaborate to ensure that the training is consistent. If you have children, make sure they understand how to act around dogs. If there are other pets in the house, make sure they've been properly introduced and are always supervised.