Things To Consider Before Getting A Puppy For A First-Time Pet Parent

Getting a dog involves a lot of commitment so this is a decision that requires a lot of thought and consideration. In case you have a family who will be part of the deal, it is very important to make sure that all members are on board. A lot of times dogs are being adopted or purchased as a gift for another person who has no idea about the commitment involved.

Often enough in these cases, the dog ends up being abandoned or not being taken care of properly. It is important for people to understand that having a dog is like having a new family member and this is a decision that cannot be taken in haste as these will have a very long-standing impact on one's life.

Other times, a lot of people end up getting the wrong breed for themselves. We have to understand that different dogs were bred for different purposes and hence require different care and attention. Hence choosing the right breed as your companion is also a very important exercise and the factors to consider before getting it.

Let us look at some of the things one should consider before getting a puppy home
Finances: Raising a dog is an expensive affair and one should be mentally prepared for the additional costs involved with it. The kind of breed also plays a role in the expense factor for example a bigger dog like a rottweiler, Newfoundland, etc. will require more food. Rottweilers for example require multiple sources of protein to keep them in an ideal, healthy state. Likewise, dogs with longer coats like shih-tzus, and Lhasa will require more care, attention, and money for their coats.

Time commitment: it is very important to understand that raising a puppy will require one to invest a lot of time

Lifestyle: it is important to consider one's lifestyle before getting a puppy. The breed will also heavily depend on the individual's choice of lifestyle. If you are an outdoorsy person who likes to go on hikes and adventure trips then a working category dog like a German shepherd or a Labrador will be a good choice. If you lead a more sedentary lifestyle an indoor companion dog would be more suited like a pug or a shish Tzu.

Living space: With today's urban setting understanding the space requirement of your furry buddy is very important. The size of the dog will largely depend on the size of your living quarters. Getting a dog like a Saint Bernard or a Great Dane in an apartment setting is not a very good idea.

Family members: If you are a family person with young kids getting a dog who is high on energy levels would be a good idea provided the kids are dedicated and committed to the idea of having a dog. So, breeds like beagles, huskies, etc. will be a good idea.

Because of the current market scenario in terms of getting a new puppy, a lot of pet parents get duped as there are a lot of spurious activities that go on. We need to be very cognizant of the following points in order to get a healthy, happy puppy

It is very important to go to a registered breeder who has the right license and paperwork. One should never get puppies from these pet shops as these people are not breeders themselves and only act as middlemen.

The puppies are kept in very unhygienic and inhumane conditions and are not given the right attention and care. If one has prepared themselves well, they can even go for adoption. There is nothing more noble than giving a dog a new loving home, however, people should be very mindful of the baggage that these dogs might bring in terms of mental trauma and should be prepared to deal with them in the right manner.

Getting help from behaviourists or adoption counsellors might help. The worst thing one can do is adopt a puppy or a dog in haste without being prepared only to put them up for adoption again leading to more stress and trauma for the dog.

It is very important to go and see the puppy in person. One should not get a puppy watching an online video. A lot of these middlemen cheat people in terms of their health or age.

Always insist on seeing the mother of the pups and the whelping area to make sure the pups are being whelped in a sanitized clean environment. This ensures the puppy will not have picked up bad habits like eating their own feces or developing any skin infections like mites etc

It is important to inquire into the family lineage to make sure there are no genetic deformities or illnesses that can lead to the puppy having a difficult or miserable life at a later stage like hip dysplasia, epilepsy, heart disease, etc. Your dog is going to be an extension of your family and a beloved family member with a lot of emotional investment, so it is important that these things are thoroughly checked.

The ideal time to get the puppy is between 6 to 8 weeks, however, it's best to get them when they are 8 weeks old as by then they would have weaned off their mother completely and got the time to develop the required social skills. A responsible breeder will always insist on keeping the puppy with the mother for this miniperiod time.

This allows the puppy to interact with his/ her litter mates which helps with their social development. Getting a puppy at a very young age will lead to a lot of behavioral problems at a later stage as they completely lack the social skills that are developed during this period.

The puppy should already be given the first vaccine which is the Puppy DP by the 45th day. It is the onus of the breeder to immunize the pup against these deadly diseases. A lot of these diseases like parvo etc have a gestation period between 3-10 days so the puppy appears normal when they are brought home but soon after develops these fatal diseases.

Try and assess the puppy's temperament. Always go for an active confident puppy who is inquisitive of his/her surrounding

Remember that bringing a puppy into our lives is a long-term commitment that requires careful consideration and planning. A well-prepared and informed parent is more likely to provide a loving and stable environment for their new furry family member.