Adopting a puppy is one of the best things you will ever do in your adult life, and once you have added a beautiful furry friend to your family you will never go back. A dog can be a constant companion and best friend, and they will be with you at every turn to encourage you, pick you up when you feel down, and to entertain you with their antics!
Getting a dog can be a great thing for yourself and your family, but adopting a living thing and bringing it into your life is a commitment that you need to be ready for. This is why today we want to share some of the things you need to know about owning a dog.
Shop in preparation
Before you even welcome your dog home you will have a huge shopping list of essential items to buy for them. For example, here are some of the things you will need to buy ahead of bringing your little puppy home:
- Dog bed
- Blankets
- Collar and lead
- Dog bowls
- Dry food
- Wet food
- A puppy training mat
- Toys
- Worming treatment
- Flea treatment
- Insurance
- Teething toys
Sleepless nights
When you get a puppy that is only a few months old and bring it home, you need to be prepared for some sleepless nights as this furry baby gets used to its new home and sleeps through the night. Think of a puppy very much like a human toddler – they will be crazy during the day, will nap a lot, and rarely sleep through the entire night. You will need to get used to the fact that your puppy will struggle to sleep for a little while when you first bring them home, but this restlessness should pass when they have settled in and been with you for a while.
Potty training
Potty training is a big deal when it comes to a new pet, and although a fosterer or breeder will potty train them a little when they are young, you may still need to reinforce this message when you bring them home. This is why a potty training pad is an essential thing to bring to the home because it will allow your puppy to learn that peeing in this one spot is the only suitable option in the house. Encouraging them from a young age to potty outside will make your life much easier and you need to be prepared that while learning there may be a couple of messes.
Vet trips
One of the things you will need to do as soon as you bring your new little one home is get them registered at your local vets. This will sometimes involve an in person checkup, and it may involve giving your pets their vaccinations if the adoption agency hasn’t already done this for you. Vet trips can happen for a multitude of reasons whether it be a cut or scrape, mobility issues, an upset tummy, or an eye infection – but the sooner you get set up with your vet the better. Also consider getting insurance as soon as you can and this will ensure that your puppy will be covered should they need any medication or treatment.
A lot of walking
When you buy a puppy it is important to know that you’ll now be going out for walks at least once if not two or three times a day depending on their breed. Getting out for some much needed exercise and a leg stretch will be great for your heart and your overall health so doing this will be a great way to make you much healthier and happier this year. Consider finding new and exciting parks and trails in your local area and use your dog as an excuse to explore and find hidden gems close to home.
Consistent grooming
Grooming is an important part of dog ownership – and the amount of grooming you need to do will depend on the breed of dog you get. For example, a husky will need brushing pretty much everyday to ensure that their silky coat stays free of dirt and grime, and so that it does not become matted. A Labrador however with much shorter hair might need a brush once a week or so to get rid of any excess hair or dead skin that might have built up. Make sure you are prepared for the grooming schedule of your dog and research this before hand to make sure you know what to do.
A messy house
It is inevitable that when you bring an animal into your home you will never have a truly clean and tidy house. With hair getting all over the place, mud coming in from outside, and toys strewn over the home – make sure you are willing to endure a little bit of mess before you adopt your furry friend.
A large food bill
As we said before, buying a dog will also involve a lot of extra purchases and you need to make sure you have everything covered from the get go. One of the things you will need to do is make sure you have dog food added to your shopping list for the foreseeable future. Also take the time to look around at different stores to see if you can find a good deal on dog food such as buying in bulk on Amazon or even at Costco.
Saying goodbye
The biggest and hardest thing to be ready for when you adopt a dog is the goodbye that will follow in 10-15 years time, a pet is for life, and their whole life will be spent with you – but they will pass on eventually and you need to be ready for this. You can remember a lost pet with urns for pets, or even plant a tree in your garden for them once they are gone.
Getting a dog is such an amazing thing to do in your life and we hope these things will prepare you for the things to come.
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