Adding a puppy to your family is a rewarding experience. Dogs give unconditional love to their owners and bring a lot of fun and excitement wherever they go.
When you choose to adopt a puppy from a shelter it means that a dog that may otherwise go unloved will now have a safe and secure home. This can be an optimal choice instead of buying from a breeder.
However, before you adopt your puppy there are a few things you need to consider.
The adoption fee is only the beginning of the expenses you’ll incur when owning a dog.
Picture of a cute black lab. The picture was provided courtesy of William at http://www.aktiemäklare.com/. He is trading stock during the day but spend his nights with his true passion. Breeding dogs.
Other costs include:
You need to know that you have the resources to take care of your puppy properly. Make sure you have the supplies your puppy will need before you bring him home.
Training and housebreaking your puppy will require a lot of time and effort on your part. If you work long hours a dog may not be the best pet for you. They need to be let outside often; especially during the first few months. They’ll need to get plenty of exercise so you’ll need to take them on walks.
Puppies need lots of attention and play time. If you want to chill out in the evenings and watch television you might consider adopting an older dog instead of an energetic puppy.
A large breed dog may have a hard time in a small apartment. He’ll do better with more room and a large yard. If you do adopt a large breed you’ll need to take him for walks often. Otherwise, he’ll find ways to use up all that energy inside your apartment and it won’t be pretty. This can even be true of a high energy small dog.
When you adopt your dog always ask for a written record of the shots he’s already been given.
If possible, you may want to continue to use the same vet since he’ll already be familiar with the vet and the location.
Otherwise, you’ll need to ask around to your friends and co-workers and find out what vets they recommend. Fees can vary greatly from one vet to another even in the same area. Also, some vets have a kinder manner with puppies than others do. Ask if your friends are happy with the staff and the vet at the clinic they use.
Dog health insurance is becoming more popular because medical costs have risen even for pets. Many owners are also choosing to seek medical treatment for diseases such as cancer which was not usually done for dogs in the past. If you do decide to seek pet health insurance, be sure and do your research. Find out exactly what it costs, what treatments are covered, what the deductibles are, and what percentage of treatment cost is covered.
Adopting a puppy is an exciting experience. But be sure you’re ready to take on the challenge.