puppy time
Time commitment:
Puppies are cute, cuddly and wonderful, but are you ready to spend 15-20 years with your dog? Giving you food, shelter, water, exercise, veterinary care, grooming and protection?
Monetary Commitment:
You will need some basic supply items. Nothing outrageously expensive, but each item adds:
-Food and water bowls.
-Teething toys, so they stay away from your sofa leg.
-Necklace and Leash
-Training box
-Food for puppies and treats for training.
Vet bills can be expensive, and if you ever have to treat your dog for an emergency, it can be very expensive. There are companies that offer pet insurance, but most of them do not cover important expenses. And within the first few days of having your little bundle of joy, you’ll need to take him to the vet, just to make sure he’s healthy and happy and to schedule regular vaccinations.
Lifestyle Commitment:
Happy hour after work? A weekend ski trip? Having a dog will affect the answer to these questions. Do you have someone to feed and walk the dog while you enjoy a drink after work since the dog has been cooped up all day? Do you have a dog sitter or someone who can stop by to feed and water the dog while he’s skiing down the slopes of his favorite mountain? Owning a dog requires some lifestyle changes that need to be considered in order to make this important decision.
Now that you’ve decided you’re ready to have some tail wagging fun with your new pup. You have to decide on a dog. There are thousands of AKC registered dog breeds, each with unique personalities and character traits that need to be considered. Visit the American Kennel Club website: http://www.akc.org/ for details and information on all registered dog breeds. Once you decide which breed is right for you, it’s important to make sure you’re working with an ethical breeder who truly loves the breed and isn’t trying to make a quick buck.
But what if you’re not particular about a breed? There are more than enough dog rescues to choose from. Just find a local Humane Society agency: http://www.humanesociety.org/ and they’ll help you find an amazing dog to fit your life.
Now that you have your new dog, have you done a puppy test at your home? Make sure nothing they want to chew on is within reach, including electrical cords and blind cords. Make sure the heirloom in your glass vase is well outside the radius of the tail’s movement. Cleaning solutions and other toxic items should also be kept out of reach of your curious pup.
Be sure to always spay and neuter your dogs and microchip them for identification purposes in case Fido ever strays, and above all, make sure you cherish the moments and enjoy the experience of living with a dog.