Dogs have always been referred to as man's best friend. In many ways, dogs are just like humans-dogs need company, can communicate how they are feeling, and love to play. So, it's no surprise that you want to keep a dog at home and raise it like your own child. Puppies are fun to raise, but take a lot of responsibility. Unlike children who can grow up and do everything on their own, pets can't and will always need your attention. Remember, puppies grow into adults and adult dogs can live for 15 years or more. There are several things to consider when choosing a puppy like you that you want to pet.
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Part 1 of 3: Assessing Lifestyle
Step 1. Evaluate your financial situation
Is your financial status stable and have a steady income? Raising a dog costs a lot of money; equipment, food, and vet fees can drain your wallet.
- The funds you have will influence what breed of dog you should choose. For example, large dogs need more money because such dogs often have health problems that small dogs don't often suffer from. In addition, large dogs also require very much feed.
- Make sure you have “emergency money” for sudden visits to the vet, surgery costs, and medical tests. Sometimes, things will happen outside of regular checkups and injections for puppies. It's a good idea to give your dog the best possible care, so make sure you have the money to be able to provide it.
Step 2. Consider where you live
Do you live in rural or urban areas? Do you own a condo, apartment or private house? Where you live and the space available will affect the type of puppy you choose. Puppies need lots of space and fresh air, so think about this before making any decisions.
- For example, think about how large your house is? A big, loud dog in a small house will drive everyone crazy. Plus, confining a large dog in a small space is not good for the dog's health. Choose a puppy that when grown will be suitable to live in your home.
- Think about your yard. Do you have a yard? Puppies have a lot of energy, and will need plenty of space to exercise. Having a yard also helps you train your puppy to pee outside. If you live in an apartment or condo in an urban area, find out where the nearest parks, grassy areas, and pet parks are.
Step 3. Assess the balance between your work and daily life
Do you have time to care for your puppy? Newly pet puppies need extra care and training. Do you want to incorporate the needs of pets into your life? If you work 12 hours a day or travel a lot, a puppy may not be a good fit for your lifestyle.
- Puppies are fun, but taking care of puppies can take up a lot of time. In the first few weeks, you should train your puppy to go outside and train him to follow a few simple commands.
- You should also set aside time to walk the puppy each day. Letting him pee for 5 minutes and run around in the yard or park is not enough. Exercise that can make your dog feel tired is key to keeping your puppy stable and happy.
- Veterinary visits can also be made more frequently in the first year; puppies should be vaccinated, dewormed, and neutered.
Step 4. Think about other people or animals living in your home
Consider your family's wants and needs as their opinions will influence the type of puppy you choose. Are any members of your family allergic to dogs or to certain types of dogs? Is anyone really afraid of dogs? Having a puppy is a big decision so make sure you are prepared and choose the right type of dog. Puppies will grow up and will stay with you for a long time, so assume the puppy is a new member in your family, and make your whole family love the puppy.
- Think about other animals you keep, if any. Consider their temperament and how the animals react to other dogs or animals. For example, a male cat that you have had for a long time may feel jealous. Plus, having an active puppy can be stressful for other older pets. It may take your old pet a long time to accept the puppy, but often these animals will get along in the end.
- Consider your future plans. Are you moving or planning to move house next year? Bringing a pet home-especially on an airplane-can be stressful for a dog and can be very expensive. So, think about whether or not you will be moving in the near future. Are you pregnant or planning to have children? Taking care of puppies and babies at the same time can be difficult because puppies and babies both need constant love, care, and attention. See if you can manage the time and don't worry if your baby is around a pet. Think about what will happen in the next few years and really evaluate whether keeping a dog fits the life you envision.
Step 5. Find out if there are any pet services in your area
Is there a good, emergency vet near the house? Is there a daycare or neighbor you can drop your pup at when you're on vacation and can't take it with you?
If you're busy at work but still want to have a puppy, consider hiring someone who can feed and walk your dog while you're at work
Part 2 of 3: Determining the Breed of the Puppy
Step 1. Decide on the size of the puppy you want
Do you want a big or small dog? The answer depends on an evaluation of your home and surroundings.
- Large dogs like the “Great Dane and “St. Bernard is very calm and gentle, while the Jack Russell is smaller and more active. However, dogs big and small both have their own fans. The judgment about which dog behaves better falls in the hands of the owner and also depends on the dog itself.
- Generally, small dogs that weigh less than 10 kg or shorter than 40 cm. This dog is more popular among city dwellers, people who live in apartments or who do not have a large living area.
Step 2. Decide what type you want
Research the breed type and pay attention to information about temperament, needs, health, gender differences, and other details that will influence your decision. You probably already have the kind of puppy you've wanted since childhood.
Step 3. Decide if you want pure or mixed breeds
Purebred dogs are dogs that come from the same breed. On the other hand, mixed breeds are basically a combination of several breeds of dogs.
- Purebreds are more expensive than mixed breeds, but it will be easier for you to determine how big a purebred is when you are an adult.
- Mixed breed dogs can generally grow up healthy and strong. Usually there are several types of mixed dogs with different colors, breeds, and sizes.
- Pure breeds are more susceptible to hereditary diseases than mixed breeds. However, a good breeding ground will check for thyroid disease, eye and shoulder disorders, as well as pelvic problems of the pup's parents.
- In the end, there are advantages and disadvantages to each breed. However, how a puppy will grow depends entirely on how you raise, care for and train the puppy.
Step 4. Think about whether you want a male or female dog
Some people believe that male dogs are more affectionate and easier to train, while female dogs are more aggressive and protective. However, the relationship between gender differences and puppy behavior is just opinion. There are no studies that prove that dogs will behave differently just because they are male or female.
Puppies' behavior also differs depending on the breed, so do your research before deciding. In addition, neutering puppies can also make the difference between male and female puppies disappear
Part 3 of 3: Choosing and Getting a Puppy
Step 1. Decide where you will get the puppy
There are many options available, including animal rescue centers, pet stores, and private breeding grounds. You can even look it up on the internet. Where you get a pet will depend on your desire to have a particular breed of puppy and the amount of money you are willing to spend, among other factors.
- If possible, choose a puppy from among several healthy puppies born directly from their mothers, rather than getting them from a poor breed of dog. This puppy will adapt more quickly to his new life in your home.
- Choosing an owner or breeding place is important. Breeding clubs are a good place to start your search as they may have a list of which breeds are available. The club can also put you in touch with a trusted breeder in your area. You could also try attending a dog show to meet some of the breed's representatives and dog owners for more information.
- Never buy from a puppy "factory". They breed too many dogs from the same mother and don't take good care of the puppies. These breeders breed puppies to make money and usually don't care about the health or happiness of the dogs; what's more, they won't tell you the pup's fatal illness or health problem because they just want your money.
Step 2. Ask the right questions
Once you've decided where to get your puppy, find out what the institution or breeder's background is. Find out if they know a lot about dogs and seem to be promoting the health of the animals there.
For example, if you are buying a purebred dog, talk to the breeder. A good breeding ground will spend a lot of time with the animals and will tell the personality of the individual puppies he breeds. If you buy a mixed breed, ask about the pup's parents as best you can-that way you'll know what kind of puppy it will grow up to be. Also ask about the health history of the puppy's parents
Step 3. Examine the puppy
Before choosing a puppy, look closely at the puppies to see which ones are active or lazy, loving or aggressive, nervous or calm.
- Don't just look at it; play with all the puppies to get to know them more. See which puppy comes over and licks your hand while wagging his tail.
- After observing all the puppies, you may already have a feel for which puppy you are most attracted to. Then, you can rate each puppy separately in a quiet area so that the puppy's attention will not be distracted by noise, food, or other puppies.
- Make sure the puppy is used to being held from birth and has made contact with humans; this will make the puppy grow into a docile dog.
- Be wary of puppies who are very shy, timid, try to bite you, have a temper, or go to the bathroom when they feel stressed. These puppies will continue to behave this way unless properly trained.
Step 4. Use logic and feelings to make the final choice
You'll increase your chances of getting the right puppy if you rely completely on your brain and heart. Consider how you feel about the puppy and an objective assessment of his physical and behavioral health.
Step 5. Check the puppy's health
Ask about the health of your chosen puppy and whether or not it has been vaccinated. You can also do this physical examination yourself. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Activity level: A healthy puppy will be alert and interested in what is happening around him.
- Hearing: Puppies with good hearing will react if you pat your hand behind their ear.
- Vision: Puppies with clear vision will be able to see balls and other toys rolling around their field of vision.
- Body condition: A healthy puppy's tummy will feel soft when you gently press it. Puppies should not look hungry, and should have fat around their ribs.
- Genitals: There should be no visible feces or pus around the genital area.
- Eyes: A healthy puppy should have clear, bright, open eyes without any discharge from the eyes.
- Ears: Examine the puppy's ears and teeth. Ears and teeth must be clean.
- Fur: A puppy's coat should look attractive and free of dandruff, flakes of dead skin cells, red patches, and should not look dull. The coat should be shiny and healthy.
- Do a tick check. Look for the little black animal in the puppy's fur. Don't be too upset if you see a tick on your puppy - getting rid of fleas is easy.
Tips
- Write a list of what you want from your ideal puppy. Write down everything you can think of, from coat color, activity level, to grooming needs. Writing this down will allow you to think more about the breed of dog you really want and which breed fits into your lifestyle.
- Get a health record of the puppy's parents. If the pup's parents have an illness or health problem, chances are that the disease will be passed on to the puppy you choose. You must be prepared for this possibility and must be willing to handle it.
