Puppies are one of the most loved animals by pet lovers. If you love having pets, the chances are that you might have a puppy running around your home.
Seeing other people, play with dogs instill a general sense of happiness in people, and they want to get a puppy for themselves too. However, owning a puppy is not as easy as it seems to be. You have to raise them in the right way, groom him with the right equipment such as a nail grinder, and make sure that he is obedient.
If you think you want a dog, you must know everything there is to know about owning them. In this article, I am going to highlight eight things every person should know about dogs before getting one so that he does not regret making the decision later on.
A Dog is For Life
The very first thing that you have to consider before you get a dog for yourself or your kids is that owning a dog is a full-time commitment. You can expect to let a dog into your house and give it away the other day. Dogs tend to be very dependent pets, and they quickly form a bond with the owner.
A change of ownership can be traumatic for the dog. A dog can live up to 10-15 years, so you must be ready for its company for all of these years. If you think that you do not have the right state of mind to own a dog for that long, you should consider getting another pet.
Owning a Dog Can be Expensive
Another thing that you should be considering is that dog ownership can get very expensive over time. While the joy of holding a little furball can be very exciting, you must not forget the cost that comes with it. Purchasing a dog is not only about making emotional commitments, but you also have to make a financial commitment.
With all the food costs, basic supplies, grooming, training, and veterinary care, you should expect to pay around $1000 a year. Any emergency care can cost from $500 to $5000 dollars, depending on what the need is.
Choose the Right Kind of Puppy
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, which is why you need to be prepared before you enter a dog shop. If you have weighed in all the pros and cons of owning a puppy and you think that you are up for it, you should select the right breed for you and your kids.
Make a list of features and traits that you are looking for in a dog, and match it against different breeds. Ask yourself questions, like how big or small should your dog be? Should he be able to guard your home in your absence? Should he be playful so that your kids can have a good time?
All of these things will help you get the right breed.
Find the Right Veterinarian
After you have successfully made the decision of choosing the best breed, you should also look at some veterinarians beforehand. After you get a puppy, you might be required to get it vaccinated, which is why you need to research veterinarians beforehand. Many vets claim to be professionals.
However, just as you would not trust your kid in the hands of the wrong doctor, you should never let a bad vet treat your dog. Make sure that he has the right license and inquire about him from existing clients.
Get a Child-Friendly Dog
If you have children in your home, it would be a good idea to get a dog that your child might like. Many dog breeds seem scary or do not get along with young children.
Therefore, it is very important that you introduce your kids to the dog before getting him. If your kids and the dog get along well, it will help you make the right decision without regretting it later on. Most parents are worried that a dog might bite their young babies. However, you do not need to worry as if you get a pet dog; he will never harm your kids.
Pet-Proofing Your Home
You have to realize that once a dog arrives at your home, you will have to make a few changes. If you want to keep your dog and your home safe, you have to pet-proof your home.
It includes removing toxic foods from the reach of your dog, such as chemicals. You will also have to remove any hanging wires or vertical blinds that might cause your dog to get in an accident. You will also have to train your dog not to chew on your sofas and furniture, as most dogs tend to do so.
Treat Him like a Family Member
Another thing that you must ensure is to consider your dog as a family member. You must make him a priority as they can speak if there is anything wrong with them.
Make sure that you get them regularly checked for disease and give them the love and affection that they deserve. If you do not pay attention to your dog, he will get depressed and become unhappy in no time.
Learn How to Raise Puppy the Right Way
You need to understand that if you get a puppy, you should be taking care of him as you take care of a baby. You will need to train him the right way and teach him how to live around people.
The kind of training that goes into raising a puppy goes a long way into how obedient he is when he grows up.
Choose a good diet for your puppy, begin house training the moment he comes into your home, socialize your puppy, and above all, make sure that he is taken care of. All of these little details make sure that your puppy is healthy and happy as he grows up.
Recent Comments