There's a reason why dogs are called man's best friend. The bond between an owner and their pup, whether they be old or young, is beyond measure. Having an opportunity to be selfless and take care of another creature can prove to be very enriching. However, it's not something anyone should go into lightly!
@brontenj
Embarking on puppy parenthood? Our pups depend on us for all of their needs. Don’t you want to make sure you can give them the very best life? When it comes to raising a puppy, your daily activities, the care and training you select, your mindset, and of course finances, are all affected by adding in a new best friend to the family. So, to help you make this big decision, here are five things we here at The Puppy Academy suggest you consider to make sure you are ready!
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT TRAINING YOUR NEW PUPPY? GET IN TOUCH WITH ONE OF OUR TRAINERS!
1. Consider Your Lifestyle!
@nantucketboss
First and foremost, look at yourself and ask, “can I take care of a puppy?” Wanting and being able to are two different things. But if you can’t answer yes, it’s okay! You most likely can answer yes later on!
Think about the type of job you have. Are you home most of the time or away almost 8 hours a day? Do you travel often? These are important to answer honestly with yourself before diving into buying or adopting a pup. Puppies can’t stay alone for extended periods of time, so if you work full-time, make sure to have an extra pair of hands ready. And if not, hire help. Remember, your pup will seek you for activity and care, but if you can’t take the time to provide those things for them, or don’t have the resources to hire someone to do so for you, you’re probably not ready to bring home a puppy.
Also, think about the type of puppy you want to bring home. You can check out our “How to Pick the Right Puppy for Your Family!” for help in making this decision. Some puppies have different, more high maintenance needs, and high-energy levels that aren’t suited for certain individuals and families. Do your research and look into different breeds that’ll mesh nicely with your current lifestyle. Also, take into account things like your age, activity level, social life, etc., when doing your research. You can even narrow in on a few breeds, make a list and check off which ones match up with you! Your perfect pup is out there waiting for you!
The biggest thing to note is the inevitable disruptions to your everyday life adding this new member to your household will cause! Be prepared and make sure that everyone in your family is on board too. With great puppy power, comes great responsibilities and the occasional loss of sleep! That means your daily routine will have to shift to embrace your young pup.
“Having a puppy is a full-time job! Make sure you can adjust your schedule accordingly or enlist people to help you out.”
2. Pick a Puppy Trainer!
Bad habits are hard to break, and dogs, like humans, can build them. The sooner you begin training your fur baby the better. If you’re thinking about training your puppy yourself, you might want to consider enlisting the help of a professional puppy trainer first to show you how to train a puppy and then start instilling those good behaviors on your own! It’s the best way to set yourself up for success.
Think about what your goals are for your puppy. Is it just basic obedience? Do you want to eventually move on to advanced techniques? Some trainers work one-on-one while others work in facilities that can offer more services like day-care which provides the added value of socialization for young puppies.
The best way to find a qualified puppy trainer that will help you achieve your goals will be to of course research but ask for recommendations from family, friends, your vet, and other pet businesses in your community. Go to our “How to Pick a Puppy Trainer!” blog for further details on what you need to look out for when picking a puppy trainer!
“It’s much easier to introduce good habits to your puppy than have to try to break bad ones, so start showing them the right way on the first day you have them, and stay consistent! ”
3. Create a Schedule for Your Puppy!
@viral_insta_pups
Puppies need and thrive with structure. But what exactly does that involve and are you capable of providing that for them? We’ll show you how to Create a Daily Schedule For Your Puppy! The big things to remember to include in your puppy’s daily routine are time for potty breaks, eating, playing, sleeping, and of course puppy training.
Young puppies, especially ones that aren’t potty trained yet, need to be on a potty and eating schedule and consistently shown where to eliminate in the right place, in order to help train them faster. Not following a schedule will inevitably lead to a lot of headaches for you and potentially dealing with house accidents much longer than necessary.
But puppies aren’t just eating and pottying machines! They need stimulation and they want to work and learn. Incorporating sessions of play that also include basic obedience training are a great way to exercise them, establish a loving bond between the two of you, and help them grow up to be well-rounded and well-mannered adult dogs.
EXPERIENCING PUPPY PROBLEMS WITH POTTY TRAINING, CHEWING, NIPPING, ETC? LET US HELP!
4. Expect Accidents!
@badgal_peaches
Ah, the joys of puppyhood! There will be nips, scratches, and ruined furniture during the first few stages of puppyhood. And that is perfectly normal! Don’t worry you’re not doing anything wrong and your puppy isn’t scheming against you. Manage your expectations and have patience, not only towards your puppy but towards yourself as well. You’re not alone in those overwhelming moments. We here at The Puppy Academy have your back!
The best way to deal with those growing pains is to be prepared for them before they start! In our “Bringing Home Your New Puppy!” blog, we provide guidelines for puppy-proofing your home. Doing this before bringing home your puppy will save you a lot of frustration and money!
And possibly the most important tip for a successful first year with your puppy is to start potty training ASAP! Learn our trainers’ techniques for potty training your puppy fast and easy! The “Potty Training Your Puppy: Tips for New Owners!” has steps to help you conquer one of puppyhood’s biggest challenges!
“Protect or remove any items you don’t want to get ruined! Puppies get into everything, so be proactive by puppy-proofing your house and limiting their access to things and areas you don’t want them to get their paws on!”
5. Consider Your Budget!
@dailycupof_chlo
Puppies can be expensive especially in the first year. Supplies, vaccinations, spay or neuter, check-ups, changing diet...the list goes on. Not sure what you will need to budget for? Check out “What to Buy for Your New Puppy!” blog for help.
Ultimately, spending money on your puppy is inevitable but you can prepare for it. Think about it as you would for any other life-changing event that you need to budget for. There will be one-time costs, ongoing or annual costs, and sometimes even emergency costs!
The first year will bring a lot of one-time expenses like adoption fees, initial vet visits, vaccinations, check-ups, spay or neuter, licensing, microchipping, puppy training, pet insurance, and supplies to name a few. If you can plan and budget for this, you are on the right track for becoming a responsible puppy owner!
Next are your ongoing or annual costs. Food, toys, vaccinations, check-ups, and pet care can all be considered items and services that you will have to budget for the rest of your pups life.
And while we hate to think of emergencies, puppies are sneaky and like to get into things they shouldn’t! So setting aside a fund for an unexpected situation is definitely something every new puppy parent should do for the welfare of their best friend. Emergency vet visits and procedures can be several thousands of dollars. By having an emergency fund or even purchasing pet insurance you can get immediate help for your pup and lessen the financial burden on yourself!
Ready to Bring Home Your Puppy?
Puppies afford us boundless comfort and love. Don’t you want to do the same for them? If you can comfortably answer yes and don’t feel concerned over the items we covered in this blog, you are definitely ready to embark on the puppy parenthood journey. If not, that’s totally okay too! By researching and being honest with yourself, you are being a responsible person and putting the welfare of a pup first! And eventually, you probably will be ready to bring home a puppy of your very own!
Check out these related blogs on puppy training and more!
Puppy’s First Year Milestones!
Encouraging Good Puppy Playtime Manners!
How to Socialize Your New Puppy!
