Congratulations! You decided to get a puppy. Dogs and puppies are wonderful companions and can make anybody’s life complete. Before you decide to get a puppy you should ask yourself several questions before committing to your idea. Many dogs and puppies are placed in shelters because their owner did not do the proper research and fully investigate how much responsibility it is to have a dog.
You should first decide if you want a dog or a puppy. The choice may vary based upon personal preference and lifestyle. Most people who get puppies want the bonding experience that comes with it. Puppies are like babies and will look to their owner for safety, comfort, and love (let’s not ignore the cuteness factor of puppies as well). Although puppies are cute and cuddly, they are also a lot of work. When you get a puppy be prepared to puppy proof your house as well as potty training and do mid night feedings. Dogs provide just as much love as puppies. Depending on where you get the dog from it may already be house trained and past the “chewing on everything phase”. However, the bonding experience between you and a dog and you and a puppy may be a little different.
Next you need to decide what type of dog or puppy you want. Even though all dogs are naturally loving like people, different dogs have different characteristics. You should base you decision by the breed and size of your new pet. If you want a small dog that isn’t very active; than a Jack Russell Terrier is not the dog for you. It is very important that you take the time to do the research on the breed that you are interested in. You need to discover their characteristics, their learning abilities, and any medical concerns that are prone to that breed.
You should investigate if you are financially, emotionally, and physically available and able to care for a puppy or dog. If you live alone and work many hours everyday, than a dog is probably not the right pet for you. Dogs need love, attention, affection, exercise, and care just like people do. Whether you live alone or with someone else you should map out your daily schedule and really ask yourself if you have time to care for your pet.
Lastly, you should decide where you are going to get your puppy or dog from. You can find many great pets in shelters but there is a process to go through before you can take your new family member home. Pet stores also carry many wonderful puppies and dogs, but the cost is quite a bit more than a shelter.
Whatever, you decide to do I urge you to do tons of research before getting a dog or puppy and taking them home. Getting a dog or puppy is like establishing a new relationship and you should do your best to make sure that this relationship is a happy and healthy one.
