New Owners - What to consider
I think it is safe to say that very few people realise the things you need to consider when making the decision to bring a new puppy (or older dog) into the family. I have listed a few things below - please use the comments below to let me know which topic you would like me to cover in more detail
Which breed - even if you decide to go for a cross breed, there are still typical breed traits that need to be considered (these can be doubled/tripled in cross-breeds)
Breeder - selecting where your puppy comes from is almost as important as choosing the puppy itself. Do they do the necessary health checks, will they support you through the trials and tribulations of puppy stage and beyond?
Puppy proofing the home - puppies have an amazing talent of chewing anything and everything with little or no regard for their safety (or your antiques!)
Choosing a vet - this is the person who is going to be helping you when your furry family member is ill or in pain. It is also important to understand if they have a 24hour service for those times when you have an emergency
15 year commitment - all puppies are cute, but the novelty of a new puppy or dog can wear off pretty quickly when they chew your favourite shoes. Don’t forget that “a dog is for life, not just for Christmas” (or any other festivity)
Training - in order to have a pleasurable life with your dog, you need to devote time and effort to training them effectively as well as socialising them with other dogs, people and noises
Crate training - what are the advantages of crate training and how is the best way to approach it
Food - there are so many choices of dog food available it can be quite a minefield of information to navigate. Do you go for raw, wet or dry food?
Holidays - have you considered whether your dog will join you on your next holiday or will they stay with friends/family or will they go into kennels?
Sleeping arrangements - the time old question of should you allow your dog to sleep on the bed, in the bedroom, in the kitchen or in a customised kennel outside
Insurance - to insure or not to insure that is the question! Insurance can be expensive, but it can also save you a fortune in an emergency
