Are You ready for A Puppy
Everyone thinks their breed or cross is the greatest. However, what is right for your family or lifestyle may not be right for someone else. Before you run out and get a puppy (puppies) you must stop and look at your lifestyle. Take a moment and read the following to help you decide if a puppy (puppies) will fit into your life.
Are you prepared for a puppy or puppy (puppies)?
1) Time Commitment: How much time each day do you have to devote to the animal? Are you willing to commit to the puppy (puppies) for the puppy (puppies)'s life? What if you have to move? Puppies require far more work than adults. You must make time for classes, training, socializing, and activities. To get a puppy or puppy (puppies) and then leave him in a backyard with no socialization or effort on your part is cruel. Puppy (puppies)s are social animals and do best when part of the family. If you cannot devote time to raising baby, ensuring your puppy (puppies) is well trained and socialized for the next ten to fifteen years or more, do not get one. Remember that one series of obedience classes does not a trained puppy (puppies) make. Training and learning lasts the life of the puppy (puppies).
2) Human Medical Issues: Are there any allergies or medical conditions in your family that could cause issues resulting in having to get rid of the puppy (puppies)? No breed is truly hypoallergenic. People with serious problems may not be able to tolerate ANY breed - regardless of what someone's ad would lead you to believe. If there are suspected health concerns, consult a doctor before considering a pet.
3) Cost: Can you afford a puppy (puppies)? Getting the puppy or puppy (puppies) is not the big expense. It is what follows that can drain your wallet: buying the crate and other necessary supplies; puppy inoculations every few weeks while the puppy is young; training classes (any where from $30 to over $100 depending on where you go); annual wellness checks and inoculations; feeding (the bigger the puppy (puppies) the bigger the food bill); medical emergencies (can easily run hundreds of dollars if not more). I spent $100 to adopt a puppy (puppies) and closer to $300 getting a big enough crate, enrolling in classes (yes, even instructors take their puppy (puppies)s to classes), vet checks, leash, collar, and extra toys The puppy (puppies) was the cheap part!
4) Housing: Can you properly house the puppy (puppies)? Being chained in the back yard with a hut and water is not proper housing. Puppy (puppies)s are social animals and pets really should be part of the family pack. If you cannot make a puppy (puppies) a family member, keep him safely inside when you are not home and let him have plenty of exercise in a safely fenced area, reconsider. It is cruel to a puppy (puppies) to leave him outside all the time. Also, these puppy (puppies)s are more prone to become nuisance barkers and victims of "pranks" or theft.
5) Lifestyle: What is your lifestyle like? Are you an active family that spends time hiking and camping or going for long walks? Are you more sedentary? Some breeds require a lot of exercise daily - both physical and mental. Research any breed thoroughly before getting - use several different sources as well. What one person or even a vet says about a breed may be totally erroneous. Look at books devoted to the breed; many breed-specific puppy (puppies) clubs have websites with plenty of information, etc. If you are looking at a cross, research the breeds you know are in the cross to give you an idea of what you are getting. And bear in mind that small does not equal less energy. Some giant breeds have lower activity level than many smaller breeds. Size is not always relevant when it comes to how much energy and exercise a puppy (puppies) requires.
6) Grooming: What about grooming? All puppy (puppies)s need grooming - even hairless breeds! Some breeds are quite a bit for the average person to handle and may require professional work (Poodles and Bichon Frisés for example). Others require only a few minutes of going over with a brush once a week as well as regular attention to teeth, ears and nails. All puppy (puppies)s shed to some extent. Even supposed "no shed" breeds will lose hair. Hair falls out of follicles - take a look at your own brush or how often do you pluck a strand off your jacket. Some breeds shed less than others. If you are a neat freak and cannot stand dust bunnies, consider a lower shedding breed. Also, coat length does not mean a breed will shed more or less. A short-coated breed can shed just as much as a medium to long coated one.
7) Need: Why do you want a puppy (puppies)? Companionship, participating in sports, protection? Again, you must research the breed or cross in regards to what you want. If you want a puppy (puppies) that can be trained for duck hunting a Collie may not be the right breed.
8) Long Term: What will happen to the puppy (puppies) if you start a family? Are you just going to dump the puppy (puppies) or do what it takes to ensure he is ready for the new arrival? What if you have to move? Thousands of pets are given up because of a new child or move. Have you thought about the long-term needs of the puppy (puppies)?
9) Golden Years: What when the puppy (puppies) ages? Are you prepared to cope with the onset of old age or when the puppy (puppies) is no longer "useful" will you get rid of it. Can you handle the increased health issues that can go along with a senior puppy (puppies)? A puppy (puppies) will spend his life trying to please an owner. The least we can do is make their Golden years truly golden.
Now that you have thought all this through and have decided to get a puppy (puppies), what should you look for?
1) Age: Puppies should be no younger than eight weeks. A good breeder will not place puppies younger than that. Old school used to be six weeks was fine. But so much growth and development happens between six and eight weeks. Also think, puppies' eyes and ears open at about three weeks and they begin to test solids foods after that. A five or six week old puppy is barely weaned. The extra couple weeks with the dam and littermates can make a big difference overall. Also, puppies should have at least one set of shots before going to homes. The vaccine schedule for puppies is usually 6, 9 and 12 weeks with the first rabies booster being at 16 weeks. As for the other end of the age spectrum, older animals.
2) Condition: The puppies or puppy (puppies)s should show NO signs of lameness, discharge from eyes, ears, nose, etc. They should have clean, shiny coats and be alert. Their stool should be firm. A good breeder or rescue group will have no issue if you wish to have your vet examine the animal before bringing it home. Many will insist you do
3) Temperaments: Has there been any temperament testing to the puppies or puppy (puppies)s? If you are a quite, laid back person, it could be tough to be matched with an outgoing, dominant puppy
It is your responsibility as a future puppy (puppies) owner to research your life as well as various breeds or types of puppy (puppies) to help make the best match for you. It is your responsibility to find well-educated and committed people to help match you with the best canine companion. It is your responsibility to ensure the puppy (puppies) is well trained, socialized and the safest he can be.
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954-885-6622
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Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024
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Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.