Photo by Chevanon Photography on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-yellow-labrador-retriever-puppies-1108099/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a>
Bringing a puppy into the home can be a great idea, but it’s also worth preparing for this life decision well. A puppy can bring your home the extra family member you need to complete your beautiful unit, but they’re not toys, and they take a lot of care and attention to properly develop and grow in your household.
Unfortunately, puppies can sometimes be too cute for their own good, and so young couples and families may purchase them without a real understanding of the costs involved and the love investment you need to give them in order to encourage good behavior. After all, they may be a lovely part of your world, but you will be all of their world.
With this in mind, it’s quite important to make sure your home is occupied and that your dog can stay there day after day without being home alone for long stretches of time. This might sound obvious, but many young professionals leave their dogs at home and work overtime, and this unfortunately leaves them to become quite isolated.
But what other considerations should you keep in mind before buying a puppy? It’s worth asking those questions. Let’s do so – now:
Breed
Depending on how much space you have in your home, how old your family members are, how much you’re willing to exercise and train them, or how much you’re willing to spend on food each week (don’t over budget for a puppy, if you can’t afford it, wait), you may select a certain breed. For instance, you may prefer a dog with a tepid demeanor such as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. If you’re sure you can handle energy, a chocolate labrador or retriever might work for you. Consider if you’re willing to take a rescue dog or not, and understand that this comes with added effort.
Company
Some couples elect to bring two small puppies home to give the other one a companion over a longer amount of time. Others know they will be home alone with a dog for a large part of the week, and so are totally happy purchasing one. The company you keep also involves how much time you spend with your dog, from taking them to training classes, ingratiating them with other dogs in a social setting, and making sure that you walk and exercise them enough. This interaction is essential for most breeds – but some more than others.
Diet
Of course, it’s very important to make sure you know what to feed your dog. Is kibble or fresh meat the best course of action, and what cuts can you feed them? How many times do they need to be fed, and would it be worth giving them animal royalty or dentistry snacks to help them improve their health? Understanding what food is appropriate for your breed can help you avoid underfeeding or overfeeding them, keeping your dog as health as can be.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily know what to expect when bringing a puppy home for life. After all, a well trained dog can be your best friend if you treat them as they deserve to be treated.
