Your children want a puppy. All your neighbors have dogs, and your children want one too. It’s the dream of all children to have a dog like Lassie. However, if this is your first puppy, there are important things you need to know before you commit to buying a dog.
First, dogs take time and puppies take even more time.
Having a puppy is like having a 2-year-old. Until we are trained (see the second entry), we require almost constant supervision. After we are trained, we still require supervision until we are older - much older. If you can't entertain us nearly all day, you may want to consider two dogs, or taking us to puppy daycare, or maybe a cat would be better for your family. If you consider two puppies, be very careful. A few years ago, my dad got two males from the same litter. Until they established who was the dominant male, there were a lot of fights. Once that was established, they got along well. The next time they decided to get two dogs, they got two females, my step-sister and me. We’ve been with them for nearly five years and we are very jealous of each other, with any excuse being a good excuse for a fight. Although lately, we’ve been getting along a bit better. I think that the best combination would be a male and a female. However, if you are not planning on breeding the dogs, get them spayed and neutered at 5 - 6 months of age. Also remember that male dogs have a tendency to raise their leg and wet on furniture (to mark their territory).
Second, puppies need training, and so do your children.
You can pretty much ignore cats, however that is not the case with dogs. You have to train us to go outside to wet and do our bowel movements. You can start by training us to do this on paper or puppy training pads which are available in all pet stores and the pet section of major chains like Walmart. Once we have mastered this, then slowly move the paper toward the door. When we have learned to do it on the paper beside the door, then move the paper outside and make sure that we have many trips outside. Once we have learned that we have to do it on the paper outside, you can slowly make the paper smaller and smaller until there is none left. Alternatively, you can train us to go outside from the first day you bring us home. Just make sure that you take us outside at least once every half hour and preferably once every 15 to 20 minutes. Always praise us when we do something outside. Make a real fuss of us and give us a small treat when we come back inside. I was a winter puppy and I learned to go on the snow. When the snow all melts, I have trouble remembering to go outside because the dirt, grass and gravel in my yard don’t feel right. I’m lucky though, because my mom and dad put down training pads so I can go on them if I have a sudden need to go. This saves their floor from getting damaged.
You will need to take your puppy to several puppy classes and possibly more classes when your puppy is grown. Dogs are dependent and you need to teach us proper behavior.
If you have children, they need to take the classes with their puppies so they can learn how to interact with their new pet.
Third, puppies cost money, sometimes, lots of money.
Ok - this isn't unreasonable, but you need to be prepared to add your puppy into your budget. You will have many expenses, especially when you first get your new puppy. We need toys, rawhide chew bones, vaccinations, a dog licence, and don't forget the food, possibly a dog house, collars, clothes (no really - it’s a big business - you'll be tempted!) veterinarian bills and training (see above).
Dogs are one of the most expensive pets around. Most puppies become part of the family - and will cost you like part of the family. Don't go into this venture thinking we’re cheap. The initial cost of a puppy will depend on whether you choose to get a pure bred dog or a mixed breed dog. Pure bred dogs usually cost considerably more to purchase than a mixed breed dog.
Fourth, remember that puppies grow into dogs.
I know that's obvious - but you need to be sure you know how big your dog will be. If you have young children, your puppy may outweigh them within a year. Do some research so you know how big your cute little puppy will be when he's a full grown dog. If you purchase a pure bred dog, the seller should be able to tell you how big the dog will be when full grown, what it will look like and many other factors. However, a lot of purebred dogs come with breed specific problems. For example a number of breeds have a high incidence of hip dysplasia which is very expensive to deal with and very painful for the dog. Mixed breeds are less prone to inherited problems, but you are never sure exactly what you are getting until the dog is full grown. What looks like a cute little puppy could end up being a 185-pound behemoth when full grown (this happened to my grandma - she got a nice chubby little puppy which grew into a dog that was half the size of a black bear and he looked like one too). So, if your pet is a mixed breed dog, look at its paws. Usually, a puppy will grow into its paws. Big paws on the puppy mean that you will have a big dog when full grown. Little paws usually mean a little dog. However, while this is a good yardstick to judge the size of your dog when full grown, it is not infallible. Sometimes dogs with small paws grow into quite large dogs.
Fifth - Dogs need exercise.
People need exercise too - so this can actually be an advantage if handled properly. Puppies need room to run and play. They need people to play with and they need toys to play with. If you lead a very sedentary lifestyle, be sure you pick a dog breed that is low activity.
The larger the dog, the more room and exercise it will need. You will need to walk your dog several times a week. Be sure and plan that into your schedule now - or you may find your puppy running around the house all day without you. Always remember that a bored puppy will frequently get into trouble because we need something to relieve the boredom. Chewing things and scratching flooring, furniture and bedding are some of the things that we do to amuse ourselves when we are bored.
Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience - even if this is your first puppy. Your dog will become one of the family and be a faithful companion for life. Be prepared for your new puppy, and it will be a great adventure for both of you.
If you are getting the puppy for your children, I can guarantee that within three months or less you will be looking after the puppy as the children will find it far too much work and responsibility. Always remember that getting a puppy is a lifelong commitment. It is not fair to get us and then abandon us when the novelty wears off.
Until next time,
Teia
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