16 Things To Know Before Getting A Puppy

For beginners who haven’t taken the plunge and got a puppy yet. Do your research first. Get educated on how to prepare for your new puppy and how to raise that puppy well. Don’t give in to impulse and take home a puppy at the wrong time.

Puppies are beloved by animal lovers. They’re tiny, adorable, playful, affectionate little beings you can carry around everywhere. What’s not to love? Puppies are certainly hard to resist. Perhaps this is why many people end up getting a puppy before they are ready or before they know how to prepare for one.

1) Are you ready for a puppy?

• First of all, make sure you’re ready for the responsibility of taking care of a puppy/dog for the next 10+ years.
• Puppies may be irresistible, but they are also extremely time-consuming. Young puppies need to be fed three to four times a day. They need to be taken outside immediately after eating or drinking so they can eliminate appropriately and become house trained. Puppies will have accidents in the house while they are still being house-trained. That can mean a lot of clean up.
• Puppies need lots of attention and she or he might wake you up several times during the night. Either they need to go out or they are bored.
• A young puppy cannot be left alone for more than a few hours. Generally speaking, a puppy can control their bladder one hour for every month of age. So if your puppy is two months old, they can hold it for about two hours. The puppy should stay in a crate when alone; this aids in house training and keeps the puppy from chewing up everything in your house.

2) Do you want a male or a female puppy?

• Some believe that the male dog is more affectionate and easier to train, while the female dog is more aggressive and protective of its owners and puppies. Well, the truth is that when it comes to dogs and puppies there is no superior sex.
• You should consider your household and the lifestyle that you and your dog will have. If you have lots of people in and out for gatherings or like to take your dog into public places, a female may be the best choice. If you have several dogs or intend to add to your canine family, a male may be a better fit.
• Females tend to have more problems with anxiety and phobias. If your house is a loud and busy place with lots of chaos, a male puppy may be more likely to be content.

3) What is the right puppy for you? Make a list:

• So now that you have decided that you are ready for a puppy. Congratulations, Now it’s time to decide if you want a lap dog or giant dog. Obviously small dogs are better in smaller spaces. And less cost for food, supplies and medications.
• Do you want a dog that’s active as a adult or likely to calm down. How much exercise can you give?
• Sleek haired or long haired? Are you willing to deal with shedding? Or, do you want a dog that sheds very little? Low-shedding dogs often need to make regular trips to the groomer. Can you afford this?

4) Where can you find your puppy?

• Consider adopting a dog first.. what we always called mutts or mixed breed can be extremely wonderful. There are many in your local shelter waiting for a forever home. Even if you aren’t sure it’s still worth going to look…who knows you just may fall in love.
• You may truly have your heart set on a purebred dog. Many people have a favorite breed or need to know more accurately what to expect when the dog is grown. Factors like the size and coat type are very predictable in a purebred dog. Health concerns, temperament, and energy level are somewhat predictable but not guaranteed.
• If you choose to buy a purebred dog, then you need to be responsible. Look for an experienced dog breeder with a stellar reputation. Avoid backyard breeders. Never buy from pet stores, as their dogs often come from puppy mills. Don’t buy a dog from a flea market or a classified ad; these puppies have unknown backgrounds and may be unhealthy.

5) Time to puppy proof your house

• Just like toddlers your puppy is sure to find all the little things that can hurt it. Before your little friend comes home with you, it’s essential that you prepare your home. Do your best to puppy-proof every area of your home. Destructive puppy behavior is common, frustrating, and can be dangerous for your dog.
• The best way to keep your puppy safe is to supervise it at all times. Keep your puppy in a crate while you are away (just avoid leaving for more than a few hours when your puppy is still young). A puppy should not have the full run of the house until it is older and well-trained.
• Get on the floor at their level and look at what they may see. Electrical cords, toxic chemicals, houseplants, trash cans. Keep laundry, shoes, and other small items out of reach. Puppies sometimes chew on and/or swallow these.

6) Time to go shopping for puppy supplies

• puppy bed
• basic leash
• adjustable collar with id tags or harness
• puppy food
• puppy pads
• dog crate
• toys
• grooming mitt or brush

7) Time to pick out a veterinarian

• Even if your puppy has already seen a veterinarian with their breeder, shelter or a previous owner, it’s still a good idea to bring them in to a vet you plan to continue to use after they come home with you to get them on the right track and to establish both of your relationships with their new veterinarian. If you are unsure where to start looking for a reputable vet, word-of-mouth is a great way to find a trusted vet in your area. You can even ask around at your local pet businesses for recommendations! Make sure that your puppy’s first vet visit experience is especially pleasant by bringing along a special treat with you and rewarding them for their good behavior! This will help set the stage to make all future vet visits a calm and enjoyable experience.
• On your puppy’s first visit, be sure to bring all the paperwork provided by the breeder or adoption group. Your vet will do the examination and discuss the puppy vaccination schedule with you. Puppies need several core vaccinations, beginning at six weeks of age. Some vaccines require a booster within a year of the last dose in the initial vaccination series.

8) Always Have Fresh Water Available

• I know that saying a dog needs plenty of fresh water is stating the obvious. However, to go one step further, if you want to remove as many toxins as you can from your dog’s water, consider using a water filter. Unfiltered tap water can contain traces of unhealthy chemicals that can be harmful to both you and your dog.
• A water filter or water purifier will help to remove toxins from the tap water and make the water healthier for both you and your dog. At home, I use one of those water filters that attach to the faucet.

9) Provide Plenty of Exercise

• It doesn’t matter if your dog is living indoors or living outdoor, it is still very important that you provide your dog with sufficient exercise. This is usually because we overfeed our dogs, give them just a little too many treats, and in some cases, too much table scraps. Of course, not giving them enough exercise will cause them to be overweight as well. So, just take your dog out for a daily walk. If you can, add in a weekly run or jog and your dog’s health will improve even more. Another positive side effect is that you will get healthier as well.

10) Socialize Your Dog with Other Dogs

• Let your bright-eyed and bushy-tailed buddy have a lap around the park and make the rounds. If you’re confident about recall, try an off-leash park, or set up a playdate at a friend’s place with their dog.
• Make sure interactions are long enough to get acquainted, but not so long as to wear your buddy out.
• Introducing a three pound Chihuahua to a Great Dane might sound adorable, but remember to exercise caution when introducing dogs.

11) Provide Love and Attention

• This goes for inside dog or outside dog, keep in mind that spending time with your dog is what makes the difference between owning a dog and having a pet; between owning a pet and having another member of your family.
• Sure, all the things I mentioned above are really important, but they are meaningless without the bond that exists between dog and owner. Enjoying your time together can do more than just keep your dog healthy. Time and again it has been shown that dogs can be beneficial to our health as well, no matter if your dog is living outdoor or indoor. The benefits are mutual. Think about it, just petting your dog can have a positive effect on the way she feels and acts.

12) Make plans for when you’re away

• If you have to be away from home more than four or five hours a day, this may not be the best time for you to get a puppy. Instead, you may want to consider an older dog who can wait for your return. If you already have a puppy and must be away for long periods of time, you’ll need to:
• Arrange for someone, such as a responsible neighbor or a professional pet sitter, to take them for bathroom breaks.
• Alternatively, train them to eliminate in a specific place indoors. Be aware, however, that doing this can prolong the process of housetraining. Teaching your puppy to eliminate on newspaper may create a life-long surface preference, meaning that even as an adult they may eliminate on any newspaper lying around the living room.
• If you plan to paper-train, confine them to an area with enough room for a sleeping space, a playing space and a separate place to eliminate. In the designated elimination area, use either newspapers (cover the area with several layers of newspaper) or a sod box. To make a sod box, place sod in a container such as a child’s small, plastic swimming pool. You can also find dog-litter products at a pet supply store.
• If you have to clean up an accident outside the designated elimination area, put the soiled rags or paper towels inside it afterward to help your puppy recognize the scented area as the place where they are supposed to eliminate.

13) If you Want to Transition Your Indoor Dog To An Outdoor…(not recommended for a lap dog)

• First of all, do not worry! Your beloved pet will likely be just fine outside, and it is just a question of getting him used to his new living arrangement. He will soon adjust and be just as happy (if not happier) outside as he was inside! Things to pay attention to during the process:
• It is important to make sure your pet is hardy enough to deal with the outside, so make sure the dog is fit enough for colder weather and always check that he is comfortable and happy. If the temperature drops, you should consider bringing your dog inside or perhaps finding a way to warm up his house. Sure way to go would be purchasing an electric heat pad for under his bed – even a Yorkie or Greyhound will gladly spend coldest winter nights outside with that.
• The next step will be getting your pedigree pal, ready for the change. If he is used to sleeping on your bed, a direct move outside may be too quick. Consider a process of moving from the bed to the floor first, then to the sitting room to ease the transition.
• Make the environment outside safe and welcoming. There are some great quality dog houses on the market which you should strongly consider as it will allow your dog to have his own place where he can feel secure. He will also be protected from wind and rain. If you are looking for a recommendation, then I would strongly advise looking into what ASL Solution has to offers – their dog shelters are very durable, properly insulated and can be fitted with a floor heater and fan as an extra.
• If your dog has a particular environment inside, you should recreate that outside. For example, he may have blankets or pillows and favorite chew toys, which you should provide, in his new sleeping area. This familiar comfort will enable him to easily adjust to his new surroundings.
• Most importantly, make sure you make your dog feel appreciated and loved. Play with him, take him for walks and have regular interaction to make sure he understands it is a change in circumstances and not a punishment that has led to his move.

14) Am I Being Unfair To My Dog?

• The truth of the matter is that dogs love to explore and don’t want to be cooped up indoors all of the time, which is when a backyard comes in handy.
• If your dog paces up-and-down at night and can’t seem to settle down, he or she may be more geared toward the outdoors and might be a happier hound for it.
• Circumstances change and you may feel moving your dog outside is the only reasonable solution. He can adjust and be just as happy outside. You are not being unfair, just make sure he is comfortable and gets a lot of love and attention.
• Make sure to address any issues that arise. Keep an eye out that your dog has enough to do to occupy himself. As long as the correct steps are followed, your dog will remain happy.
• Knowing that you will be there before bed and in the mornings will be a comfort to your pets.

15) Will My Dog Become Depressed By This Change?

• As long as you help your dog adjust properly, there is no reason to think your dog will become depressed by you moving him outside. If you have owned dogs before, you’ll know that they need consistency.  Provide this by saying goodnight and giving them a comforting stroke before bed and greeting them with a good morning and a snuggle when you wake up. Dogs are intelligent, adaptable animals and with enough mental stimulation and things to play with, he will make the change without issue.
• However, there are instances of “doggy depression” and some of the causes may include:
  • Mourning. Some dogs grieve the loss of an owner or another family dog
  • Major changes. A new baby or spouse or just moving to a new house can make your dog feel insecure and lead to depression.
  • Lack of attention. If your pattern of spending time with your dog changes, perhaps due to a new job, your dog will realize and possibly get depressed.
  • Sympathy. If you have suffered a loss and feel sad, your dog will sense it and feel it also.

16) Must-do’s for Puppy-proofing Your Yard

• Many individuals are against dogs living outside because of the possible dangers lurking in your garden, such as venomous snakes, toxic plants, the possibility that your dog runs away, not to mention criminals.
• These are the precautions you should take before you let your dog sleep outside. Dogs wander. Make sure you’ve installed a high-quality fence that your dog can’t gnaw at and escape to go exploring. Fences also help protect your dog from wild animals. Fences or other barriers can also be beneficial to keep your dog out of places like your gardens or backyard ponds.

Now go out there and enjoy your puppy. I personally cannot imagine a house without a fur baby running around in it with me. I LOVE my 2 lil dachshund girls.

Share Now!