Consider These 7 Things Before Getting A Puppy

Are You Ready For One?

Puppies are adorable but require a lot of attention which makes them quite time-consuming. If you, like many others, have never had a puppy, you might not realize what you’re getting into. It’s not the same as going to visit a friend who has a puppy, playing with it, and then going home later that day. Having a fully grown dog vs a puppy are two very different things. Here are a few things to expect:

•  When they are young, they need to be fed regularly, around three to four times a day, and should be taken outside immediately afterward so they can become house trained. House-training is filled with accidents, which means lots of cleaning up. If this makes you squeamish you probably aren’t ready.
• They can cause sleepless nights. This can be because they are asking to go outside, or because they are bored and want attention.
• You can't leave them alone for more than a few hours at a time.
• They can be destructive. According to yourpuppyfl.com, it is important that you stop bad habits before they become worse. Just like a baby human, puppies explore with their mouths. They want to chew, lick, and eat everything around them. They need to be trained and socialized, so that they behave well around other people and other dogs, and need to get lots of exercise. This is time-consuming and can be tiring.

Coming home on your lunch break in the middle of the day, being woken up several times a night, spending several hours a week on training are only a few of the time commitments you have to make.

What Kind of Puppy is Right For You?

If after reading that you feel like you can commit to it and want to go ahead with a puppy, it’s time to decide which is the right sort of breed (roughly) for you.

Start by making a list of traits you want, and those that you either don’t want or can’t have. Use the following points as a guide:

• How big or small do you want your dog to be?
  
• How active do you want your dog to be? How much exercise can you provide the dog with?
  
• Fur type and length.
  

Where To Look For a Puppy

You probably have a puppy or a specific breed in mind already. If possible, you should adopt. Rescue dogs, especially mixed breed puppies tend to have far fewer health-related issues than specifically bred dogs. It’s worth it to take a trip down just to see what your local shelters have.

If you are set on a purebred pup, try to find a breeder who is ethical, cruelty-free, and has a good track record. Ask about them online and really do your research before supporting them. Purebreds are a popular choice because you know what they will look like when they are adults and their behavior is pretty predictable.

Puppy-Proof Your Home

Puppies are babies. Make sure that you have a safe environment for them to come home to.

Stock Up on Puppy Supplies

There are a few things you’ll need before you bring your puppy home. It is important that you have the basics before you go crazy with puppy toys. Make sure that you have:

• A leash
• Collar with ID tags
• Bowls for food and water
• Food
• A simple dog bed that they can grow into
• A few simple toys (to see what they like most)
• A brush

Find The Right Vet

You should visit the vet within a few days of bringing your puppy home. They should have a physical even if they aren’t due for a shot. This can alert you to any health issues or concerns that were undetected by the shelter, or breeder you got your puppy from.

Raise Your Puppy Correctly

It is important that you give them a healthy diet. This will also make housetraining them easier as they will have healthy tummies. Begin obedience training early on at home. Stay consistent and be patient.

Socialize your puppy well by taking it to lots of different places, letting it experience people, smells, sounds, and other animals, and training classes.

Puppies are a life-long commitment – their life. Don’t get a puppy, realize you can’t handle it, and then give it up. Be sure you are ready for a puppy.