Puppies are adorable! Between their sweet faces, happily wagging tails, and affectionate personalities, it’s easy to get swept away by their cuteness. I’ve raised dogs for decades and can’t imagine life without them. They bring a special energy into a home and teach us how to love unconditionally. But, too often, people get puppies on an impulse, realize they’re in over their head, and dump the innocent pup at a shelter. According to the ASPCA:
- Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats.
- Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats).
So, before you bring baby Fido home, here are some things to consider:
Time
If you’ve never had a puppy then you may not realize how much time and attention they require. While no dog should be alone for long periods, young puppies can’t be left by themselves for more than a few hours. And they need constant care around the clock. Each day, you’ll need to:
- Feed your puppy three to four times.
- Go outside for potty breaks immediately after eating, drinking, and naps (plus a few extra times in between).
- Keep a watchful eye on your puppy so he doesn’t have any accidents during the potty training stage or chew up any of your furniture/belongings during the teething stage.
- Work on basic command training and other house rules. The only way your inquisitive pup is going to learn which behaviors are desirable, and which are unacceptable, is to teach him!
- While certain breeds require more exercise than others, all dogs need to move their bodies and burn off the pent up energy.
- Play! Puppies need both mental and physical stimulation. Playing games of fetch and engaging in dog puzzles that challenge your pup is key.
- Wake up in the middle of the night to go for potty walks. Since young puppies can’t control their bladders, they’ll need to go to the bathroom throughout the night.
If you work a full-time office job then raising a pup is still doable. But, you’ll likely need some help. If you can’t stop home during your lunch break then it’s important to have family, friends, or a professional dog sitter help out with care!
Cost
Between basic supplies, toys, food, treats, routine veterinary visits, spay/neuter surgeries, emergency veterinary visits, and medications/supplements, things can get pretty expensive. That’s not to mention professional help: trainers, groomers, and dog walkers. Plus, if you work in an office then you may want to consider doggy daycare.
Ultimately, costs vary depending on your pup’s size (larger dogs = larger bills), age, grooming needs, training needs, lifestyle, and location. And, while some initial investments are one-time expenses, there are monthly costs.
Here’s a rough idea:
- Veterinary Care: Once you welcome baby Fido into your home, you’ll want to get him checked by the vet. Ideally, he’ll meet his doggy doctor within the first 48 hours for a full examination. This can cost anywhere from $100-300. Then, he’ll need to visit the vet every few weeks, until 16 weeks, for vaccines. Each visit will end with a bill. Within that first year, your puppy will also likely undergo a spay/neuter surgery, which can cost between $200-400 (some places are less, others are more … this is just a rough idea).
- Your vet will likely recommend monthly flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
- Just like we get checked by our doctors once a year, so should our dogs. While costs can range depending on where you live, my last annual visit ran me about $250.
- Expect unexpected visits for emergencies, ear infections, and teeth cleanings. Depending on the emergency, bills can range from the hundreds to the thousands. Look into pet insurance plans (the younger your pup, the better your rate). Plus, if you’re hit with a large, unexpected bill then you can look into CareCredit or Scratchpay, which are two payment plan options that let pet parents pay for medical bills over time.
- Food: Depending on what type of food you feed your pup, the cost could range from $40 to $200 a month.
- Grooming: I home-groom my toy poodle, Gigi, now. But, back when I took her to a professional groomer, I paid $60 a month. That figure varies depending on your dog’s needs and where you live!
- Training: According to HomeGuide.com, “Group dog training with a professional trainer costs $30 to $50 per class, on average, while private training ranges from $45 to $120 per hour session.”
- Dog Walker: On average, dog walkers charge about $20 for a 30-minute walk. That may not seem like a lot, but those dollars add up quickly.
- Dog Daycare: This will vary depending on location, but it’s around $30 a day.
Patience
Remember:
- Puppies don’t come housetrained. Chances are, they’ll pee on your nice rugs and furniture. Don’t worry, though, everything can be cleaned!).
- They also won’t arrive at your house knowing their name or understanding the words “Sit, Stay, Come.” It’s up to you to teach them!
- Puppies go through an intense teething phase. So, they’ll attempt to chew on your wall moldings, chair legs, and wooden banisters. You need to keep a watchful eye, redirect unwanted behavior, and provide proper chews.
Every dog learns at a different pace and, while it can be challenging at times, it’s important to remain calm and patient.
Responsibility
Dogs are extremely dependent creatures. So, once that puppy steps his paws into your home, it’s up to you to tend to their every need. That means turning down invitations for happy hour drinks because you need to head home and take your pup to pee. That also makes spontaneous travel harder (not impossible … but harder).
Lifestyle
Some things to ask yourself before you get a pup:
- “Is it the right time?” – If you’re in the middle of moving, changing jobs, getting married, pregnant, getting divorced, or going through another big life change then you may have too much going on to take on a pup.
- “What about the kids?” – If you have kids, think about their age and maturity level. While dogs can be great furry companions for children, and teach them a sense of responsibility, really young kids can unintentionally be a bit rough with puppies. You don’t want anyone getting hurt.
- “Is anyone in my household allergic to pets?” – Figure this out ahead of time by either spending some time with a friend’s dog, visiting a dog park and petting some of the pups, or fostering!
- “Are my other pets friendly?” – If you have other animals in the house, assess their personalities.
- “Do I have enough space for the breed I want?” – While apartment living with dogs is doable, check to make sure your complex allows dogs. If they do, you may want to consider a small or medium size dog.
- “Who will take care of the dog?” – Before you pick up your new pup, set clear expectations with your family. Will you be the primary caretaker, or someone else in your household? Who will walk the dog? Who will feed the dog?
Still Not Sure if You’re Ready?
If you want a taste of dog parent life, without making a full committment, consider fostering! I recently interviewed Rachel Fusaro, a popular dog vlogger who is wildly passionate about pet health, animal welfare, and, you guessed it, fostering! Rachel has fostered animals her entire life, caring for more than 60 pups in search of a forever home. She’s even worked with rescue groups, helping to place foster animals with other caring families. You can watch my entire interview with Rachel – filled with tips to help you get started with fostering – HERE!
Ready to Expand Your Family?
I recently published a book called Becoming a Dog Mom: The Ultimate Guide for New Puppy Parents. Consider this read your ultimate puppy survival guide. With 13 chapters, it’s filled with hundreds of must-knows for first-time pet parents, or anyone with a young pup on their paws.
The many tips, tricks, and hacks packed inside will help you successfully pet-proof your home, create a daily schedule, master basic commands, survive the teething phase, gain a clear understanding of first-year veterinary needs, choose quality pet food, make DIY dog treats and toys, and so much more.
Broken into bite-sized reads so you can come and go as you please, this book is written for the modern puppy parent looking to live their best life with a happy and healthy dog by their side.
Check it out:
