Puppies are adorable beyond words. Their beautiful demeanor and looks coupled with their quacky behaviors make them irresistible. It’s often the reason why most people make an impulsive and emotional decision of getting a puppy only to realize later that they can be quite a handful.
Don’t take that as getting a puppy is a bad call.
The decision to get a puppy is an excellent one. However, there are many things to put into consideration before getting one. A person must give careful thought to whether they’re really ready to bring a puppy home and care for it.
Here are some of the things to consider to include:
1. Availability
There’s no shortage of puppies that need adopting. These can be from a friend whose pooch just had a healthy litter and is willing to sell or give some away to the local pet store or an animal rescue shelter. However, the availability of one’s time is a vital point of consideration because that determines whether one will have the time to care for the new puppy properly.
Puppies can be very demanding in terms of care. For instance, they have to be fed four times a day, and just leaving a bowl full of food for one day is not an option. That’s because puppies can be ravenous and do not know when to stop eating. Such a situation can lead to unhealthy issues like bloating or overfeeding. So, one needs to be available to provide the food at set times and in the proper quantities for their healthy growth.
A puppy needs to be house trained. A large part of this entails taking the puppy outside after meals and water so they can go potty outside. Accidents are bound to happen during the house-training period, and one needs to be available to scoop poop and wipe pee when they do happen.
Depending on the breed, one or two very regular trips to the groomers may be necessary. So, if one’s schedule indicates that they may not have time to care for a puppy properly, then it’s better to wait for such a time that they may be available enough to accommodate a furry little buddy in their life.
If one’s schedule is a bit tight, they may be better off getting an adult dog as opposed to a puppy. Adult dogs need less attention in comparison to rearing a puppy.
2. Cost
The little fellow does not look like much of an eater right now, but in three to six months as they approach adulthood, their voracious appetite for good food may be surprising. That means, although one is getting a puppy, they want to know whether it is a small, medium-sized, or large breed pup.
As a rule of thumb, smaller breeds like Yorkies and Maltese will eat less and require lesser doses of medicines when compared to giant breeds such as Danes and mastiffs. Large breeds will tend to eat more and use higher doses of drugs. While they are puppies, the cost factor may not be felt, but as the puppy grows, food, vet, and grooming costs can be high. To properly care for a puppy, one has to consider the immediate and future cost implications.
3. Breed
Mixed breeds are fairly available, whereas pure breeds may be harder to come by. Both would do well in a loving home. Considering the breed is important because it ties into the traits that one may be looking for in a puppy. Some people may want a dog that is laid back, playful, gentle, and not overly active such as a terrier or a golden retriever. While others may prefer an imposing figure, athletic, active, and with a fierce demeanor such as a guard dog like a Rottweiler. Keep in mind the breed when choosing a puppy.
Conclusion
Getting a puppy is fun for both the owner and the puppy as long as one has the time and resources to give the puppy the care it deserves. If one has decided to get a puppy, adopting one from a rescue shelter is a great option.
Rescue centers will have given the necessary shots to the puppies so one can be sure they are taking a healthy puppy home. Buying a puppy in a pet store is not recommended as they often get their puppies from puppy mills, and one can’t be certain of their health status.
