So You Want To Get A Puppy – Now What? (Part II)
November 17, 2008 by Tracy
Filed under Dog Ownership, Getting A Dog
Table of contents for So You Want To Get A Puppy
We were talking about getting or giving a puppy and the things one should consider before getting or giving a puppy as a gift. After all we don’t want this pup to end up at a dog shelter and possibly being passed around from home to home, or worse. So now what? What about the cost of not only acquiring, but providing for a new pup?
What are some expenses that come with getting a puppy? We have dog training classes, care for the new dog when you have to travel and can’t take the dog with you. This can be costly if you don’t have someone who is willing to take care of your pet for you.
Then there are the trips to the vet. With a pup you need certain vaccines, and the cost of neutering or spaying. Some shelters have discounted neuter and spay programs to help keep the cost down. No, don’t even think of having a litter of puppies. With five million puppies born each year in the United States along we don’t need more pups!
What about a quality dog food, you get what you pay for you know. Good news, when you feed a quality dog food you will eliminate a lot of health issues and trips to the vet. Now I’m not talking about most of the commercial dog foods out there, even if they are expensive because most of them are not really good for your dog or worth feeding. We will get more into this topic later.
What about dog crates, beds, bowls, toys, leashes and collars. Then we have grooming, bathing, nail cutting, depending on what type of breed you decide on.
What about the time to take care of your pup and the possible change in life style? Is this something you or the person getting a pup as a gift is willing to accept?
Is this a time when you or the person who gets a puppy as a gift says, “This dog is such a pain. I can’t go anywhere whenever I want too because of this darn dog.” Or, “I can’t stay out late or all day because of this dog. I can’t have fun with my friends whenever I want to because this dog needs to go outside or be taken care of.”
What if you want to sleep late, or what if you are sicker then a dog, no pun intended, and just don’t feel like getting out of bed to walk and feed the dog, but you have too. Don’t be too surprised this does happen and that is why a lot of dogs end up at dog shelters.
Pet owners need to properly care for, train, and handle their dogs. Get them use to having their ears cleaned, paws touched, and being brushed. They need to be socialized with places, people, other animals, noises and going places or being left home alone.
It is also important to teach children how to behave around dogs. No teasing or pulling ears or tails or pinching or hitting the dog. This all takes time and energy. Are you up for it? Is the person you will be giving a puppy to up for it?
I know I mentioned talking about activity, dominance and a few different breeds to decide which is the best breed, and pup suited for you and your life style. So next in the series we will cover some of the breeds, care needed, time grooming, energy levels and other important attributes like ease in training, dominance tendencies, friendliness to strangers…..
Until next time enjoy!
Tracy Lenderink
Master In Creating A Bridge Of Knowledge Between The Animal & Human Spirit EzineArticle “Expert Author Status”
http://www.simpledogtrainingsecrets.com
http://www.simpledogtrainingsecrets.com/blog
tracy@simpledogtrainingsecrets.com
© 2008, Tracy. All rights reserved. Republished articles have been reprinted with permission. For permission to reprint these articles, please contact the author.
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