What You Need To Know Before Welcoming A Dog Into Your Home

Dog ownership is a big commitment. Lots of families spending time at home over the holidays will begin to think about getting a canine companion - a dog that will grow up with the children as a faithful companion. After all, who can deny the sheer cute appeal of a puppy? Tiny, playful, affectionate - they're definitely hard to resist. But choosing to welcome a dog into your family is a big decision that you need to be fully prepared for. Many don't realize the reality of taking on a puppy, which is a lot of hard work. Thankfully, most people are aware that ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’, but it's always good to understand what lies ahead if you do choose to add a pet to your family this winter.

The Reality Of Owning A Puppy

Many people like getting a puppy to having a newborn baby in the early days and both are an astonishing amount of work. While taking in an adult dog is time-consuming, puppies are even more intense. You will need to feed your puppy three to four times a day and taken them outside immediately after eating or drinking to begin the process of house training. There will be plenty of accidents to deal with in the early days, plus puppies tend to be awake a lot during the night, either needing to go outside or just because they get bored and lonely, so you'll be woken up a lot. They can also be destructive, chewing and licking everything they come across which can cause a lot of damage to your property. Puppies cannot be left alone for more than an hour or so, which restricts what you can do and where you can travel for a while. Then there is the time commitment of dealing with the training and socialization of a puppy and the disruption caused to your routines. You must be sure that you and your family are prepared to accommodate all this or it can be quite a shock to the system.

Finding The Right Breed

In addition to all this, you will also find that each breed has particular needs, so get to know what to expect by looking up Germán shepherd care or whichever breed you are considering to get an accurate idea of what you are in for. Consider how big or small a dog you're thinking of getting - how much space do you have available in your home? Medication and food are also more costly for larger breeds. How much exercise can you fit in? Some breeds require a lot of daily activity while others are calmer. You may also need to think about their coat. Some dogs shed a lot and require a lot of grooming, shampooing and regular coat trims as well as a whole lot of vacuuming up. Other breeds, like cockapoos, hardly shed and are also good for those with allergies. Consider the cost and upkeep of your chosen breed as it varies a lot, and you are undertaking a lifelong commitment.