Adopting a puppy is a big decision to make. You can be entering something else that will change your life forever. Moreover, it will not only be you who is affected. Everyone around you will surely feel the impact. Therefore, adopting a puppy should only be done after taking all considerations into account.
One of the crucial aspects of having a puppy is your availability. You must have the time to be with your dog. But that does not end there. You should have the budget, space, energy, and most of all, the love for pets. Without one of these, adopting a puppy should be discouraged.
Here are some things that you should know before adopting a puppy:
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Consider Your Lifestyle
Do you go home regularly after your work? Are your weekends spent at home? With an affirmative answer, adopting a puppy may sit well with your lifestyle. But if you come home late at night and always have a busy weekend, you may have to think again. Puppies need our time, attention, and affection. If you cannot give one of these, a puppy will most likely be a lonely pet in your care.
Are you willing to change your lifestyle because you have a new puppy to care for? For how long will you be able to hold to these changes? If you are sure yourself that these life changes are not for the time being, go ahead and adopt a puppy.
Take a Look at Your Budget Over Again
Having a puppy is an expensive endeavor. Consider the food alone. It can take a lot of your budget. The expenses for dog house, accessories, toys, trainer’s fee, vaccination, and other vet’s services can pile up and can get a large chunk of your income. You may also lose some of your time earning additional income. Of course, you want to have a happy puppy. Nonetheless, if you cannot provide for its basic needs, it will not be the happy dog you all wanted to have.
Know Your Purpose
You have to research the characteristics of a dog breed before adopting one. If you need a puppy as a security dog later on, there are some dog breeds that are perfect for that purpose. Of course, you will not go for a Chihuahua if the is the case. But if you are looking for a small dog to cuddle and dress up, a Chihuahua can be one of the best choices.
Match Your Personality
The personality of dogs depends much on their breed. Some dogs may enjoy socializing with humans and other pets. On the other hand, others may want to have more space. It is crucial to establish the temperament of a dog before adopting. While a dog’s personality can change over time with training, its basic instincts can come any time when triggered.
If you are adventurous trying to explore nearby natural wonders around you, you may not want a pretty Pomeranian as a companion. A Siberian husky or an Australian shepherd can be considered when adopting a puppy.
Choose the Best Vet
An animal doctor who caters to all kinds of animals whether domesticated or for trade may not be the best choice because of the question of specialization. With a veterinarian who caters to canine pets only, you can be sure that your puppy is in the right care. Make a regular visit to the vet to ensure the general well-being of your dog.
Decide on a Dog Trainer
Training a dog can be a difficult undertaking. But if you have some experience in the past, you can be successful in training your dog yourself. However, there are so many benefits of hiring a dog trainer that make it hard to ignore. If you have the budget, go for a dog trainer. You can be assured of faster and better results.
Apply Consistency at All Cost
Consistency is the best policy when it comes to dog care and training. Be consistent with the food, schedule, and training and you will have the best dog in due time. Your puppy will surely grow up to be well-behaved at all times.
Shower Your Pup With Love
Dogs are attention seekers. They can also comfort you during your stressful days. But most of all, they are the most loyal creatures you will ever know. And what should be the price for that? Nothing comes near but to give our dogs the unconditional love they deserve.
It is nice to adopt a dog. But before you do, make sure that you are well prepared as this endeavor comes with lots of responsibilities.
