A puppy will be an exciting new addition to the family, it of course differs from having a child but the puppy will come to be loved as though it is a little baby. Dogs can live up to 16 years depending on the breed so you can see why the phrase ‘A dog is for life’ is often coined. Here are 5 points to consider before adding an adorable little puppy to your home.
You Will Have to Commit a Lot of Time
When the puppy is at a young age it will be a full-time job to take care of it properly. This can include anything from training and bathing to playing and feeding, which can all be very time consuming tasks and there will need to be someone home with the puppy to make sure they are taken care of. The puppy will not be comfortable being left on its own and it is highly unlikely you will be able to drag yourself away from them puppy dog eyes!
You Will Need to Puppy-Proof Your Home
In the way a home needs to be baby-proofed, the same will need to be done for your puppy. There are a number of foods that dogs should not eat. The most common ones to be found in a home are chocolate, milk, cheese, grapes and onions. Though there are a number of foods that can be harmful to your puppy, so it is important that these are kept out of sight of your puppy to prevent causing any illness to it.
Puppies Can Be Quite Expensive
When first purchasing your puppy it is likely only the initial costs of taking care of it will be considered. Such as food, its sleeping area and maybe some squeaky toys. There are also a number of extra costs that come with owning a puppy. The puppy will need some trips to the vet and this can be covered by a pet insurance plan, but it is still an extra cost. Dog microchipping will also incur costs as you are now required to chip your puppy in order to prevent the possibility of theft or it being lost. A horrible thought but it is better to be safe than sorry if that unfortunate event happened.
Their Body Reacts Differently to Humans
This may seem like an obvious one, but the canine body is different to the human one! One way this is the case is with perspiration. Your puppies sweat glands are in their paws, so they keep their body temperature normal by panting or drinking water, so if you are keeping your puppy indoors on a hot day it is vital there is plenty of water for it to drink so it doesn’t overheat.
Training Should Begin Instantly
When you bring your puppy home it is important to start training it straight away so that it does not become more difficult to communicate with your puppy as it becomes older. Similar to a child, a puppy has the ability to understand what certain reactions or actions mean. For example, if you are playing with your puppy and it nips or bites with its teeth saying “ouch” in a loud voice gives an indication that you are hurt, and the puppy will understand this as it is a similar reaction to what their littermate would do if it was to happen to them. Whereas, it would be more difficult to train in this way when the puppy is older.
About the author: Veronica Pembleton is a freelance writer and research journalist, who specializes in a number of core areas, including animal protection, rights and law. With a love for animals, Veronica used her Journalism degree to gain access to a number of related cases and contacts, where she was able to build her portfolio of feature articles.
