A puppy can be an exciting addition to the family, but before making the decision of buying a puppy you need to ensure that you are in a position to reasonably look after the puppy. Here are 5 points to consider before adding a puppy to your home.
Puppies Can Be Expensive – Can You Afford a Puppy?
When you first consider purchasing a puppy, you need to ensure that you take into account not just the initial costs, but the long term costs. It should be expected that puppy will require occasional trips to the vet’s. With dog microchipping, you are now required to microchip your puppy in order to prevent theft or being lost. You’ll also need to consider the costs of living (food, dog sitters if planning a trip away, etc.)
Food
There are a number of foods that puppies and dogs should not eat. The common foods are milk, cheese, chocolate, grapes, onions and raisins. These above foods can be very toxic and harmful, so to prevent any illness make sure you buy food that is sold for your pet.
Training
Training is extremely important and can often be challenging. It’s important that training starts instantly. Like a child, a puppy becomes more difficult to communicate to as it becomes older.
There are a lot of puppy training books out there. You may want to head to your local library to understand exactly how to train and communicate with a puppy.
Food
There are a number of foods that puppies and dogs should not eat. The most common are chocolate, milk, cheese, grapes, raisins and onions. These foods can be harmful, so to prevent any illness make sure you buy food that is sold for your pet.
Training
Training is extremely important and can often be challenging. It’s important that training starts instantly. Like a child, a puppy becomes more difficult to communicate to as it becomes older.
There are a lot of puppy training books out there. You may want to go to the library or research online to understand exactly how to train and communicate with a puppy.
You’ll Have to Commit Time... And More Time!
Looking after and raising a puppy will take up more time than you imagine, it will be a full-time job.
You will have to commit to everyday responsibilities, such as, daily walks (yes multiple walks are needed throughout the day!) and feeding. Other responsibilities that may take up time include baths and heath visits to the vets. These all important time consuming practices add up!
Is Your Home Environment Suitable?
If you happen to live in a small apartment, then larger dog breeds in not recommended and even smaller terriers breeds would not be very happy living in a small place. There are some larger dog breeds that can cope with lying on a couch all day, but this is never recommendable.
Please keep in mind that a dog is for life and buying a puppy is a big responsibility!
