Are you considering adding a heart-warming little pup to your family? If yes, here is what you need to know when considering purchasing a puppy:
- What type of puppy should you get?
The type of puppy depends on your personality. As you would know, every dog breed has different characteristics. If you’re a person with high energy levels, you should look at getting a dog such as a beagle or a Boston terrier. These dogs need quite a bit of space to run and stay active. High energy level dogs need lots of exercises to stay healthy. If you’re a person with low energy levels, consider dog breeds such as a basset hound or a chow-chow. These dogs still need exercise to remain fit and healthy. An important factor to consider as well is your yard space. - Are you financially able to afford a pet?
In the beginning, when you’re all amped about getting a new best friend, you tend to forget about the responsibility that follows. Dogs need routine care from the time that they are born till they are a fully grown adult. There are vaccinations involved, dental hygiene, getting them neutered, frequent vet visits. This cuts into your monthly expenses. Remember to consider these costs when purchasing a pet. There are companies such as Oneplan Pet Insurance that offer pet medical aid. Pet insurance is a must have when purchasing a pet and it’s very beneficial. - Where should you buy your puppy from?
Reputable breeders are the best to purchase your pups from. These breeders ensure that pups are healthy when they are born. When purchasing your pup, make sure that you visit the location in which the pups are born. They should be born in an environment that is clean, dry and warm. Also, make sure that you don’t take a pup away from their mother too early. Pups need to be with their mother for a period of time before being separated from her. If you separate a pup from their mother too early, it could result in behavioural abnormalities. Once you’ve chosen a pup, you will need to visit a vet at 8 weeks to get their first vaccination. - How do you choose the right pup from the litter?
Choosing the right pup involves an emotional connection as well as other factors. You want to look at how the puppy interacts with the other pups. You will notice that some pups are dominating, some are playful and some are not very active. A healthy pup is one that is warm and plump, they have good muscle and skin tones and a quiet disposition. - Do you have enough time for a puppy?
Puppies are the most adorable little animals ever. When they enter your life, you never want to let go of them. Your pup will get so attached to you like a little child. The sad part is, when you have to leave them behind to go to work the next morning. You sit and contemplate whether or not you really need this job, because, like, HELLO!!! Look at that furball! So adorable with his/her beautiful big puppy eyes…
Your puppy needs a lot of attention. As part of their training, they will need to learn to understand that their human needs to leave and will be back later. Puppies are very demanding and require a lot of exercise, love, and care. - Can you cope with the challenge?
Puppies are uncontrollable in the beginning. They’re young and want to explore the world. They get up to mischief and rarely listen to their owner. Training is important for your pup. They need to be trained as to where they will need to their business and how to react to humans and other dogs. Training has to happen in the early stages. At first, your pup is going to urinate and defecate in almost every room. They’re going to chew on almost everything that you have in the house and it will be frustrating but you will need to have the patience for that.
Most dogs have a fur coat (some have hair), and your dog’s hair will be everywhere. - Is your home puppy proof?
- Are there rooms or areas in the house that your pup should not enter? Then you should look at investing in baby gates. If you need to keep your dog out of certain rooms, the best way is to block their way with baby gates.
- Do you keep your meds out and about on counters? This can be very dangerous. Human medication can be harmful to your dog and they should be kept in a safe place that can’t be reached by your pup.
- Do you have any loose furniture? Furniture such as coffee tables that can disassemble easily or that can easily fall. This is very dangerous because pups and fully grown dogs are very inquisitive and will try and crawl under furniture or play around with furniture. This can injure your dog and you should make sure that all the furniture in your home is solid and secure.
- GWith your dogs being inquisitive, they will try to get into every cupboard to investigate what each cupboard contains. This is very dangerous. Your dog can be exposed to very toxic substances which can harm your dog badly should they consume those substances. Lock cupboards to make sure that your dog can’t get a hold of anything in your cupboards.
- If you have loose cables around the house, your dog is likely to test their ‘chewability’. Again, very harmful for your dog. They can swollow wires that can choke them. Keep all wires/cables together in an area that they can’t access.
- Check your yard for small items and chemicals. Small items can be a choking hazard to your pup and chemicals are just as dangerous. Make sure that your yard area is kept chemical and small item-free.