Everything You Need to Know About Adopting a Puppy

Having a pet can bring a lot of love and companionship into your life. However, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before you sign those adoption papers. Adopting an animal is never a decision that should be taken lightly.

On the contrary, you should ensure you have the necessary time and resources to look after a furry friend. To help you feel more confident about your decision, here’s everything you’ll need to know about adopting a puppy. 

Photo by Helena Lopes by Pexels

Get Your Puppy Microchipped 

Puppies are completely new to the world and most of them are incredibly cute. You don’t want to risk them wandering off into the unknown or being picked up by a stranger on the sidewalk.

The best way to ensure your puppy’s safety is by getting them microchipped from the get-go. If the police find your dog and they can’t trace them back to you, they could end up in a pet pound. 

Expect Pet Expenses 

Before you even consider speaking to an adoption agency, you should be realistic and think about whether you can afford to take care of another life.

Pets come with a long list of expenses. You need to think about their needs and whether your wallet is large enough to handle them. People often think veterinarian bills are the downfall of pet expenses, however if you have the best pet insurance possible, you’ll find these costs are kept to a minimum. 

Dog Training Takes More Than a Day 

Don’t get frustrated if your puppy is not responding to training as well as you will have hoped. This is an ongoing process and one that should be conducted with a great deal of patience.

You should never stop training your dog, once you’ve covered the basics, simply move onto the next level of puppy training. Having a well-trained puppy will make your life all the easier. However, if you’re struggling, you could reach out to a puppy training school for some added help. 

Dogs Are Forever Not for Holidays 

As we’ve previously mentioned, pets are forever, not just for holidays. Many irresponsible dog owners choose to give a dog as a gift and, once they no longer want to take care of the animal, they give it away or abandon it.

Dogs have emotions, just like humans and these changes can be drastic for them. Make sure you are ready to commit before you adopt. 

When you adopt a puppy, not only are you bringing a new joy into your life, but you’re also helping save a life. You’ll have a new opportunity to get out of the house and stay active, as well as plenty of unconditional love.

Although you may want a specific breed or age, puppy mills are incredibly harmful to dogs. They perpetuate a constant cycle of high-volume and unethical breeding. Although all breeders may not operate under the same circumstances, it’s always better to adopt a dog and save a life, than purchase a brand-new puppy.