Puppies! Puppies! Puppies!
What's not to love?
By Rebecca Mandell
Everyone loves puppies! They are absolutely adorable, as sweet as can be and they do the funniest things. They chase their tails, slide across our floors and bounce around joyously! Puppies brighten our day and make us smile!
Puppies are also a lot of work and a huge responsibility. A lot of thought and planning should be done before taking the leap into Puppy Parenthood.
Here are just a few things to consider before adding a furry baby to your family~
Breed. What is the best breed for your family? How do you decide?
First of all, pick up a Breed book from your local bookstore (below are a few book recommendations). Go through the book and pick out your top five breeds, based on whatever you want. Looks, personality, etc. Have fun. There are no limits.
Then make a list of your families' characteristics. For instance, are you active or mellow? Social or quiet? What are your favorite hobbies?
Once you've done that, make a list of the qualities you'd want in your dream dog. A running companion? A cuddle bug? A shopping buddy for the gals?
Now the hard part. Be honest with yourself. Compare the three lists.
If you enjoy spending your weekends lounging quietly in front of the tube, then cross Border Collies off the list. If you love to hike and camp, maybe a Maltese wouldn't work for you (the grooming alone would be a full time job). All dogs are unique, but there are certain qualities that can be universal within the breed, so study the characteristics and choose accordingly.
Please don't forget Mixed Breed dogs. They often have an amazing combination of the characteristics you want and make the most loyal pets ever. There are many wonderful Rescue Groups out there and so many dogs that need homes (Yes, they often have puppies available, you just have to be patient).
It may sound like a lot of work, but it's well worth it. Your dream puppy is out there somewhere just waiting to choose his new family (have no illusions, THEY ultimately do the choosing)!
Financial Commitment. Whether you choose to adopt a puppy from a Rescue Group/Shelter or go to a Reputable Breeder, Puppies are not cheap. Make sure you are ready for the financial obligation of taking care of a little friend. Below are just a few of the expenses you'll incur in the first few weeks/months after you adopt your pup.
Vet Expenses - The second you bring your puppy home, I recommend scheduling your pup's first vet visit. Your pup will need a check-up, shots, a microchip and eventually to be Spayed or Neutered.
Plan on surprise visits to the vet. Puppies often have tummy trouble or ingest things they're not supposed to, so expect the unexpected.
Toys, Beds, Crates - That first trip to the pet store is so much fun, but can be quite expensive. Your pup will need a crate, food bowls, leashes, toys, etc. (see the shopping list below). Your local pet store will become your second home for your pup's first six months, so make sure you're financially prepared.
Dog Care - Young pups cannot be left alone. So if you work out of the home or have an active social life, you'll need a dog sitter/walker to stop in and take your pup out for a safe potty break in their own back yard and give them some fun play time. Prices vary, but the visits can add up, so don't forget this expense.
Training - It is extremely important to get your puppies into training as soon as possible. Teaching them good manners and socialization is imperative to their development and will help build the bond between you and your pup. Most group classes do not allow pups younger than sixteen weeks, so be prepared for In Home Private Lessons, in order to keep your rascal happy and safe while she/he learns.
Before you take that trip to the Adoption Event, go over your budget and make sure you're prepared. Adding a puppy to your family is a financial commitment that should be taken seriously.
Lifestyle Change. If I had to pick the one thing new Pet Parents say to me more than anything when they first adopt a puppy, I would say it is, "I didn't realize a puppy was so much work."
It's true, puppies are A LOT of work. Your life will drastically change for the first six months to a year, depending on your puppy, that you have your pooch.
Here are just a few ways a puppy can affect your lifestyle~
~Puppies need constant attention and monitoring
~For the first few weeks, you will lose sleep. Your puppy will need late night and/or early morning Potty Breaks
~You will not be able to leave the house for more than a few hours at a time (depending on your pup's crate training schedule/age)
~Travel plans should be delayed. Kennels will not take puppies under the age of sixteen weeks. Besides, it can be traumatic for a puppy if his family leaves him in the care of someone else when he is too young and not yet adjusted to his new world
~No matter how hard you work on training, your puppy will have accidents and there will be mistakes. Carpets will need cleaning (another expense)
Those are just a few.
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Being a Puppy Parent is one of the most rewarding experiences we can ever experience. There is nothing like the amazing bond that we create with our furry kids when we make the commitment to love and care for them.
But first, take the time to make sure you're ready to be the best Parent you can be. The puppies deserve nothing less than the very, very best we can give.
I can't tell you how many times new Puppy Parents have said to me, "I didn't realize I could love anything so much."
Now THAT is a good reason to bring a puppy into your home!
The Tail End
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