You’ve been looking at
all the cute puppies available on Uptown Puppies
and you’re really leaning toward adopting one. But is it the right time? There
certainly are better times than others to add a four-legged friend to your
family, but when are those times? Here’s a short guide that can help you decide
whether or not a new puppy is in your future.
Can You Provide What a
Puppy Needs?
This is by far the number
one thing you must consider before getting a puppy. Are you able to provide
food, shelter, exercise, company, and medical attention for a dog? If the
answer is no or maybe, it’s not the right time for you to adopt a dog. You have
to be in a financial situation that allows you to pay for the things your dog will need to
survive. Obviously, they have to eat and they need a place to live that’s safe
and comfortable. But the less obvious needs such as exercise and company are
just as important.
If you live in a small
apartment that doesn’t have an easily accessible yard, you should not get a dog
or at least a large dog that requires a lot of exercise and outdoor activity.
If you work 12-hour days and the dog is going to be left alone for that time,
you’re not ready to adopt a dog. Puppies are very social animals and need to be
around their human owners often for them to have a happy life. If you can’t
dedicate a large portion of your day to their well-being, it’s better not to
have a dog for now.
Medical attention is
another requirement for dogs, but especially puppies. You’ll need to pay for a
wellness exam, vaccinations, and tests to make sure your pet is healthy and
stays that way. Plus, if your puppy gets into something it shouldn’t, you may
have unexpected veterinarian bills as well. Be sure you can afford these
services because your dog is depending on you to take care of it.
Do You Have Time to Train
a Puppy?
Adopting a puppy means
you’re getting a dog that is basically a clean slate. While this is an
opportunity for you to raise it the right way, it also means that you’re going
to have to dedicate a significant chunk of time training it. If you work a lot
or have upcoming travel plans, it might be better to wait to get a puppy until
you’re going to be home for a while so you can help your puppy develop good
habits.
Are Your Kids Old Enough?
We’ve all seen the
darling photos of a toddler cuddling a puppy, but having a young child and a
young dog at the same time isn’t always a good idea. Children need to be old
enough to understand how to treat and handle the dog and you might also want
them to be old enough to be able to take some responsibility for the dog. You
don’t want to create a dangerous situation for either your children or the
puppy.
Conclusion
If you can answer “yes”
to all of these questions, then you’re probably ready to get a puppy. Make sure
you research the different breeds so you’re sure to get the dog that fits perfectly into your lifestyle
and if you’re not 100% sure you want a dog, wait until you are.
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