No matter if you are a child or an adult, there is no containing your excitement when you finally decide to bring home a puppy. Puppies are loved by all animal lovers. These cute and furry creatures can take your heart away in a second and are affectionate little creatures that are uber hard to resist. These small creatures might be extremely cute but are also a huge responsibility.
Not everyone can take care of a dog or a puppy. You might just end up getting a puppy only to give it away because you could not take care of it properly and could not give it enough time and love. Puppies need as much attention and care as babies do. There are a ton of decisions one needs to make and a lot of factors should be considered before you think of getting a puppy into your home and life.
Do not give in to your impulses just to get a puppy when you are not ready to take care of it. It is important to first do your research and understand what you are in for. It is important to think and understand if you truly are ready for a puppy to come into your life or not. There are a ton of articles and posts out there about what to do with your first puppy, but only a few help you get educated for what is to come in the future.
Are you really ready for a puppy?
Most people look at puppies and their hearts just melt. These cute creatures might be irresistible, but they also require a lot of care and attention. Individuals who are getting a puppy for the first time in their life might not be aware of all responsibilities that they have to undertake by getting a puppy. Raising a puppy is not like getting a dog. An adult dog does not require as much attention.
You should know that young puppies need to be fed more than three times a day. They have certain dietary restrictions since they can not eat solid food for a while. They need to be taken out immediately after they drink or eat so that they can become house trained and do not dirty the house. You should know that puppies are bound to have accidents before they get house trained. You should be ready for a lot of clean-up. Puppies, like babies, can wake up in the middle of the night quite a lot.
It may be because they are simply bored or just need to go outside. You can not leave them alone for more than 2-3 hours at a time. They are quite hyperactive and need a lot of attention and playtime. You need a lot of extra time on your hands in order to take care of a puppy.
Selecting the breed of your puppy
Now that you have finally weighed the pros and cons of getting a puppy to your home, it is now time for you to look for a cute companion. It is important to decipher what kind of puppy is right for you. There are different traits and characteristics in each breed, and it should be the topmost consideration when you are getting a puppy. Do you want a big dog or a small one?
Do you want a dog that is smart and ferocious, or do you want a cute small one that is perfect for cuddles? Small dogs adapt better in small homes such as apartments, while big dogs need a huge place where they can run around and get some proper exercise. understand how much exercise and playtime you are ready to provide. Do you want a dog that will remain active or one that will calm down in a few years? Consider their fur and coat type as well. Are you okay dealing with a lot of hair around the house and proper grooming? Or do you want a dog that does not shed at all?
Puppy-proof your home
You must have heard how new parents have to baby-proof their home before their delivery. Just like this, you need to puppy-proof your home for the best environment. Puppies can exhibit destructive behavior in the beginning, which is why it is best to hide certain things. This behavior can be dangerous for your puppy. Be sure to get down to their eye level and hide all electrical cables that they can chew on.
Lock your cabinets that contain toxic chemicals, medications, or even food. Keep your houseplants at a height so that your puppy can not chew on the leaves. keep your garbage can away from their reach. Keep your shoes and laundry out of reach so that they do not swallow them or chew on them.
Get all of your supplies ready
There are a ton of things that you will need once your puppy is home. Do not end up spending a lot on their toys before getting their basic necessities sorted. You will need a few things such as a six-foot leash, a collar, and their food.
Plastic can cause irritation and can also be chewed up by puppies, which is why it is important to get a ceramic bowl for their food. It is important to choose a high-quality dog food brand for for your pet. Get a dog bed that has plenty of room for when your puppy will grow up. Get them a coat if it’s winter season since they are quite little and are severely affected by extreme weather.
Find a good veterinarian
Make sure to take your puppy to the vet within a few days of getting them home. It is important to find a vet that you are comfortable with and who can explain everything to you. Pay attention to referrals and recommendations when looking for a vet. Make sure that you are okay with their fees since you should only keep one vet for your pet. You can even go take a tour of the clinic if you aren’t sure.
There are a lot of things one needs to consider before they get their first puppy home. Make sure that you are ready for the responsibility ahead of you.
