What to Consider Before Getting a Puppy
The feeling of bringing an adorable new puppy home is like no other. Not only do you get a cute ball of fur jumping around your living area, but you also have many years of friendship to look forward to. Before you rush into buying or adopting, however, you must consider the responsibilities, as a puppy is a lot of hard work and a life-long commitment.
Vet Bills
While you may account for ongoing costs like food and doggy bags, you must also have enough money to pay for any upcoming vet bills. This includes more than just shots and neutering – you must prepare for emergency bills in case your puppy ends up unwell or injured.
Not only do you need to make sure you have the finances to look after your pet’s health, but you must also take the time to find the right vets. Have a look at Veterinarian in Madison AL, for quality, attentive care for your fluffy addition to the family.
Your Other Pets
If you have other animals in the home, you must ensure that they will get on fine with your new puppy. You know your pets better than anyone, so it’s your call when deciding whether or not a new addition would cause too much stress. Remember, puppies are energetic and excitable!
Training
A puppy needs training, and this isn’t always easy. The amount you train a dog is completely up to you – some people are content with a couple of simple commands, while others like their dogs to follow their every word.
If you decide to go down a more intensive training route, consider seeking outside help to ensure you’re doing it properly. There are also plenty of books on the subject to help you train your puppy to grow into a well-behaved dog.
Your Free Time
A puppy will take up a lot of your time, so it’s not viable if everyone in your house is away for most of the day. In this scenario, you’d be better off finding a grown-up, independent dog or finding a dog-sitter to help throughout the week.
Puppies require a lot of attention; otherwise, they’ll become stressed and start showing problem behaviors well into adulthood.
Allergies
If someone in your home has allergies, you should get a hypoallergenic dog, of which there are many to choose from! These include:
- Maltese Dog
- Barbet
- Bichon Frise
- Irish Water Spaniel
As you can see, you don’t need to let allergies get in the way of bringing home a new friend. While you may account for ongoing costs like dog food and doggy bags, you must also have enough money to pay for any upcoming vet bills. This includes more than just shots and neutering – you must prepare for emergency bills in case your puppy ends up unwell or injured.
Whether to Buy or Adopt
Everyone has opposing opinions when it comes to buying a puppy or adopting. Buying will ensure you know exactly where they’re come from, but adopting will give a previously unwanted pet a home. In the end, the decision is up to you, so weigh up the pros and cons.
If you are well-prepared to bring a new puppy into the home, then you will gain the love and attention of a beautiful animal for up to twenty years. One type to consider are these adorable Foufou puppies. It can be hard work, but as most dog-owners will attest, it is more than worth it.
We just went through this and had this conversation a few months ago! All things to consider!
More people need to read this before taking on more animals
These are all great things to consider before getting a puppy, thanks for sharing! A puppy is definitely a lot of work but it can also be very rewarding.
We just moved into a place where we can have pets. My daughter wants a puppy, this is a very helpful post.