So you think you want a puppy. Are you sure you are ready to commit to responsible dog ownership for the next several years? If you are not sure, it may be best to postpone the whim of puppy love.
Raising a dog is expensive. It is time consuming. It is a responsibility that should be taken very seriously.
There are vaccinations to get. Worming medication is needed. Annual check ups are a must. There is the ongoing expense of heartworm and flea and tick preventative medications. You should feed a good quality food and that adds up to a considerable sum of money over the years. There is a bed to buy. Dogs like to play with toys and you will need some to entertain your furry four-legged canine friend.
Don’t forget about a daily exercise regiment. Then there’s the clean up of piles of fecal matter. Many dogs require regular brushing and grooming to keep their coat from matting and becoming a tangled nightmare. Do you have the patience or necessary experience to train a puppy?
If you believe you can deal with all of these things, you may be ready for a puppy. If any of them strike dread in your heart, consider buying a stuffed animal instead.
Don’t let fads influence your decision as to what kind of puppy you want. Don’t buy a working dog that needs lots of exercise if you live in a city apartment and work a full time job. Unless you spend your spare time exercising, a high-energy dog is probably not for you.
Spend a little time researching breeds before you start looking at puppies for sale. Learn what their needs are and familiarize yourself with their traits. Choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. Both you and the dog will be a lot happier in the end.
If you do not care about whether or not a dog has registration papers, consider a rescue service or the local animal shelter. There are a lot of dogs that are put to sleep every day because they need a home and no one will take them.
If you do decide to get a puppy, remember that your responsibility for that dog lasts for the dog’s lifetime. This is one reason that puppies should not be given as gifts. It’s very easy to fall in love with a cute little fur ball. It’s very easy to fall out of love with the dog when it’s time to take the daily walk or when feeding them gets in the way of your fun and games.
Please think before you leap into dog ownership!
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