You have made up your mind. After days and night of running it through your head, you have finally reached a decision. You are ready and able to commit to raising your first canine companion.
So you take a shower, go out of the house, and drive all the way to where those puppies happen to be. Now before you take home the first doggo that catches your attention, remember these:
Look for the parents
Do not bring home a pup without seeing at least half of their parentage first. This is crucial so as you can rest assured of your new pup’s pedigree, and your breeder’s adherence to ethical dog breeding. If a breeder brushes off your request, consider it a warning.
Pet shops are not always ethical
If you are quite committed to the ethical handling of animals, you might want to investigate your seller first before purchasing from them. For instance, it is worth noting that most pet shops order their pups on display from dog farms where ethical breeding is normally compromised for easy profit. An independent breeder is always the better choice.
Buying based on impulse is never a good thing
Puppies on display might give you their infamous puppy-dog eyes. Or the alpha of the litter might box out their brothers and sisters to get to you, which you might find rather endearing. These shows of tenderness should not be enough for you to take any of these puppies home.
Deciding which dog to bring to your household takes more than just outward cuteness. One thing you might want to consider, especially if are new to the whole pet-raising endeavor, is you do not want be responsible for an alpha pup. They are sure to test your novice heart’s patience and dedication.
Breeders are businessmen
Breeders are running a business.They want to profit from a sale. No matter how nice and sincere they seem to be, you must not forget you are partaking in a business transaction.
So do not take everything they say at face value. If they tag a dog as a “pedigree”, demand to see a license or a certificate. To take it a notch higher, ask to check out the parents.
Dogs VS toddlers
A new dog is not always a good idea when there’s a relatively new human in the house.We are referring to cases when a toddler is present in a household. Children below six will not easily get the idea of a “pet”.
If you brought home a puppy, your kid would think it’s their new toy. Such situation can be disastrous. The best thing to do is postpone owning a pup for a few years, up until your toddler has matured a little more.
Raising a dog is a big responsibility
Yes, they’re cute. Yes, they’re cuddly. Yes, they’re a huge responsibility. Raising a dog is not all fun and games.
You have to follow a feeding schedule. You have to take them out for walks, pick their poop. You have to take them to vet visits.
Yes, it’s akin to raising a child. And no they are not substitute to raising a child. Although in both instances, the question you have to ask yourself is; am I truly ready?
