Buying a Puppy - 5 Things to Consider

Kids often dream of having a puppy. They sometimes pressure their parents to provide them with a puppy. And often parents themselves have very fond memories of having puppies when they, too, were kids. The kids will point out -- or you may fantasize -- that having a puppy will teach them to take responsibility. Truth is, adding a puppy to your household can be a wonderful thing; my own life would have been much emptier without the dogs that've been an essential part of my life.

Still, with all the joy and privileges accompanying the acquisition of a puppy, there are a few things you need to keep in mind prior to bringing home a new member of your family:

1. bringing home a new puppy -- or a new dog of any age, though I'll continue to refer to puppies here -- is not quite as serious a matter as bringing home a new baby. For one thing, you won't have to plan for the expense of sending your new puppy to college. Still, there are matters of care, time, and attention to consider. Caring for a newborn puppy can sometimes seem as challenging as caring for a new baby, what with feeding, cleaning up, and house-training her. Even as she grows older, your puppy-now-a-dog will need pampering, care, feeding, and medical attention. And your puppy will require some form of play and entertainment if she is to be kept out of trouble.
2. Training will, for a year or more, be a daily part of your life. You may want to enroll yourself and your puppy in training classes for several months or longer, with the goal being a team (consisting of you, your puppy, and the other members of your family) attuned to each other's needs and working together to establish a happy and harmonious relationship.
3. Puppies cost money. Even the puppy that you're given as a "free" gift will cost you a not-inconsiderable sum. And even after you plan and budget for her needs, there'll be sudden and unexpected expenses that must be paid for. Among the costs to be anticipated are food, licensing, vaccinations, toys, and training. And if she is injured, you could be facing some pretty impressive vet bills. Expect the expenses of adding a dog to your family to be nearly in line with the expenses of adding a new baby -- for the first year, at any rate. As noted earlier, you needn't plan to send your puppy to college, or to buy her a fancy dress for the prom; but there will be expenses and you'll be lying to yourself if you deny this basic fact.
4. I'll mention this briefly, as it's pretty obvious: Your puppy may -- depending on her breed -- get quite a bit larger as she grows to maturity. This is more true for a Great Dane than for a Chihuahua; but it's true to some extent even for Chihuahuas. If you have small children, they may feel intimidated or threatened by a big dog -- even if the dog is peaceful, gentle, and non-threatening in her demeanor. You'll better avoid problems by doing enough prior research that you'll know what to expect as your dog grows, and can make plans for dealing with her growth.
5. You may have heard the comment, "If your dog is overweight you need more exercise." Your dog needs exercise to keep her healthy. This is not a problem if you are a fan of daily exercise. But if you're a dedicated couch potato, consider the kind of commitment called for when you choose to own a dog. Also give thought to how active given breeds tend to be. Some breeds can be expected to be active both inside and outside of the house. You may wish to seek out a more sedentary breed if you don't consider yourself to be "the active type."
6. Your new dog will need room in which she can play and sleep. Again, a Great Dane will need more of this space than will a Pomeranian. In selecting your new puppy, don't forget to consider just how much room you have to accommodate her needs.

There are many things to consider before you bring home a new puppy. This information for you to consider is not intended to dissuade you from getting a puppy; but I do hope you will thing carefully about the commitment you're making and about just which puppy is going to be the best fit for your household.

Acquiring your first puppy is unlike anything else you've ever done. It'll be a real learning experience for you, the puppy, and the rest of your family. I urge you to embark on this new adventure already armed with knowledge acquired through research.

Bill Johnson (4loveofdogs.com) loves -- and writes extensively about -- dogs of all shapes, sizes, colors, and breeds. He encourages you to visit Loving Your New Dog for more information about integrating your new dog -- of whatever age -- into your home and family.

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