Are You Ready for a Puppy? 6 Things to Consider

Have you had a pet before? If the answer is no, you’ve probably heard about how wonderful it can be to have a pet. Pets give unconditional love, and they’re great for stress relief too.

As any dog owner will tell you, dogs are wonderful companions – but before you go and get one, there’s plenty of factors to consider.  Puppies can be expensive to buy and keep, annoying at times and they will take time and love before becoming part of your family.  So, are you ready for a puppy, or would you be better to get a different pet? Here are a few things you need to consider.

1. Your Ability to Take Care of and Feed the Dog

How well can you take care of your new pet? Well, it is crucial that you consider the cost of feeding and caring for the dog. Depending on their size, some dogs can be difficult to feed and house. The average pet may not require a lot of food, but depending on your lifestyle, they may need a lot more than you are prepared to provide.

Most dog breeds will require special food, supplements and regular care given by you. You can get various pet foods from Pure Pet Food. Besides the food, you must also consider grooming, exercising, and the general requirements for a pet – and also bear in mind that a puppy is hard work – it won’t be housetrained and you will have to clean up the odd mess while they are learning.  If we haven’t put you off, keep reading!

2. Your Reasons for Wanting a Dog

Even if you decide to adopt an adult dog rather than a puppy, you should seriously consider your motivations for wanting a dog before you go out and purchase or adopt one – and take time to choose a dog that is compatible with your home and lifestyle rather than one you like the look of.

You may be attracted to large breeds like English Mastiffs, but live in a flat or a small house, or have small children who can be easily knocked over.  If you are looking for a guard dog, a lapdog is probably not ideal.  Meanwhile, a working breed, such as a Collie or Springer Spaniel, may look lovely but bear in mind they are intelligent, energetic dogs who need stimulation and work 8 hours a day on a farm – can you give them enough exercise?

Speaking of exercise, most breeds need at least some exercise.  Think about where you can exercise the dog and how their needs match yours.

A pet should be regarded as a  lifelong commitment, not something you can easily sell if it doesn’t work out.

It’s one of the reasons rescues don’t usually let ‘anyone’ adopt a dog and they work hard to match the dog to the owner – they may upset ‘wannabe adopters’ who can’t adopt the dog of their choice, but they don’t want the dog to suffer the pain of another separation if it doesn’t work out, so they will always pick the best fit for the dog’s needs, rather than the other way round.

Oh and a word on separation – if you are going to be away from the home for hours at a time, a dog may not be the best fit for you, but even for short periods, some breeds cope without human company better than others, so talk to the breeder or rescue and learn as much about the breed as you can.

3. Your Family

When getting a pet, it is important to bear in mind how they will fit in with the rest of the family, including existing pets, and how the pet can fit in.

Children should be taught how to approach pets, not all dogs like being handled, likewise if you have cats, consider how they will behave – a scratch to the eye of your new puppy will mean big bills and pain for the dog.  Introduce them gradually – the new pet should fit into the whole household.  If you have already bought or adopted a new pet and are struggling to get other pets to adjust, an animal behaviourist may be able to help bring some calm to the situation, but choosing the right pet and seeking advice on how to introduce them beforehand can negate the need for help further down the road!

4. Neutering, Vaccinations and Grooming

Pets cost more than just food – it is important to consider the cost of owning a pet and this involves the costs of both regular vaccinations and getting it spayed or neutered, and of course the cost of vet bills should the animal become sick (even with insurance, there is usually some cost to pay for treatment).

Some dogs will also need to be groomed regularly, which can also be expensive.  That gorgeous bichon frise, ‘Dulux dog’ or schnauzer won’t look so nice when their fur is all matted (and long haired cats also need regular grooming!).  You can learn to do this yourself but it can be more time consuming than you realise.

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is also important and if your dog won’t co-operate a groomer is your best friend!

If you can’t afford to meet a breed’s grooming needs, then don’t get them.

5. Training

Whether or not you need the dog professionally trained depends on your preferences, but a new puppy will need time and patience to learn even the most basic skills, like being clean in the house and walking on a lead.  Likewise, a rescue dog, even where there has been no trauma or ill treatment, will need time to adjust to a new environment and may take time to learn appropriate places to use the toilet.

Training is a must for large and giant breeds, as you will need to learn how to manage and control them in public.  Dog classes are also great for socialising your new puppy or anxious dog.  However, don’t expect the trainer to only train the dog – they will train you too!

6. Your environment and your knowledge

If you’re considering getting a puppy, it’s important to learn what they need and check your home’s environment to ensure it is safe.  From poisonous plants in the garden to medicines and chocolate within easy reach of your new pet, it’s your job to ensure the dog’s safety in your home – and they’ll rely on you to keep things out of harm’s way.

Breeds like Labradors (as any Lab owner will tell you!) are stomachs on legs and the mini meat skewer you decided you didn’t want and left on the side table could be lethal if swallowed whole by your dog.  If that happens, you’ll need to rush to the vet immediately (and it could be a big bill!).

Be prepared to remove any immediate hazards and learn what your dog can’t eat – and that very definitely includes the kid’s chocolate – human chocolate is poisonous to dogs (thankfully chocolate made specifically for dogs is perfectly safe!).

Conclusion

When it comes to having a new pet, there’s no such thing as an easy decision.  Just don’t let your heart rule your head and make sure that you can meet an animal’s needs before bringing it into your home.

There are thousands of dog breeds are out there — from mixed-breed mutts to purebred show dogs. You’ll fall head over heels with whichever breed you get in the long run, dogs have a habit of stealing your heart.  Making the right decision means making a long term decision.  ‘Paws’ a moment and you’ll get it right!