8 Things you need to know before getting a Puppy
There are a lot of things you need to consider before getting a puppy. Taking care of him comes with a measure of responsibility, and it’s important to prepare your home and family for his arrival. In this blog, you will learn if you are ready to have a puppy and find out everything you need to know before getting one.
- Are you prepared for a long-dedicated commitment?
Puppies are very cute, and everyone wants to have them. But raising a puppy is extremely time-consuming and requires an even higher level of commitment. Be ready to sacrifice your time and energy for your puppy. You have to feed him 3-4 times per day, take him outside after every meal, train, exercise, and socialize him. If he needs to go outside or he’s just bored in the middle of the night, he will wake you up. So, you may get some sleepless nights in the beginning. Puppy can also cause a lot of mess with chewing, licking, eating, and peeing which requires you to clean it up. Don’t forget that taking care of a dog is expensive, so ensure you have the funds to take care of them from the time they are puppies to when they are old.
- Which breed is the right for you?
When you are choosing a dog, don’t just pick the cutest one. Make sure you do breed research. There are a lot of things to consider. You should ask yourself if you want a bigger or a smaller dog, how much exercise can you provide, are you willing to deal with shedding, or, do you want a dog that sheds very little. The dog has to suit you, your lifestyle, and your surroundings.
- Adopting or buying
When you decide on getting a new dog, consider adopting one from a local shelter or rescue group. Mixed-breed dogs are absolutely adorable and underrated. But for people that have a favorite breed or need to know more accurately what to expect when the dog is grown buying is usually the preferred option.
- Puppy-proofing your home
To ensure safety for your puppy and your furniture, you have to puppy-proof your home. Make sure your hide all electrical cords as best as possible, lock the cabinets with food or medications, and other household items that may be dangerous, keep laundry, shoes, and other small items out of reach, to avoid any accidents.
- Create a checklist
Before you bring your new puppy home, you should stock up on pet supplies. Here is a list of things you will definitely need:
- Bowls for food and water (metal or ceramic)
- A crate and/or bed
- Puppy food and treats
- Collar and ID tag
- Leash
- A few different dog toys
- Grooming supplies (brush, comb, and shampoo)
- Puppy pads for toilet training and poo bags
- Dog toothpaste and toothbrush
- Dog healthcare
Because your dog’s health and happiness are very important, you should find a good veterinarian nearby before your puppy arrives home. When you are choosing a vet, do the research, look at online reviews, ask your friends or family members for advice and make sure the prices are affordable for you. A puppy should visit the veterinarian for the first time within a few days of coming home with you. A veterinarian will make sure he doesn’t have any health problems and tell you all about vaccinations your pup will need. In addition to veterinary visits, you have to ensure your dog has a healthy and balanced diet. You can help your dog’s optimal health by giving them natural dog supplements (for example probiotics, hip and joint or calming supplements)
- Training is necessary
It’s important you train and socialize your dog when he is still a puppy. You should start with house and obedience training from the moment your puppy comes home. But be sure you are patient and consistent with it. You can do a lot on your own, but lessons from professionals can be beneficial to you and your dog. Training lessons will also provide socialization. Another way to socialize your dog is by taking him to lots of different places so he can experience sights, sounds, people, and pets that are new.
- Exercise
Dogs need daily exercise, otherwise, they will have too much energy. At least one long walk per day and a good play session will help your pup burn all his excess energy. Keep in mind that bigger dogs require more exercise than smaller dogs.
