Buying a New Puppy - Factors to Consider

If you walk into a pet store with your kids, you will see them going crazy over the little animals. They hug and play with them, and soon, they will want to bring them home. It's a heart wrenching mo...

If you walk into a pet store with your kids, you will see them going crazy over the little animals. They hug and play with them, and soon, they will want to bring them home. It's a heart wrenching moment. On the one hand, you know that your kids are not responsible enough to take care of the dog. On the other hand, it's kind of hard to break them apart when you see them bonding so strongly together. But before you soften and reach for your credit card, consider these factors.

1) Who is going to be responsible for taking care of the puppy?

Let's face it. Your children just want a playmate. They are most likely not ready for being a caregiver. When it comes to training the pup and taking care of the animal, it's going to be your responsibility! So if you are not prepared to feed another mouth around the house, don't buy the pup just yet. At least wait for your children to grow older a little, so that they can help you out.

2) Is it the right dog for your family?

The puppy will become a new member of the family. It will, in time to come, learn to see your family as its own family, and will expect to be treated like a family member. However, not all dogs have personalities that make them ideal as family pets. Some dogs can be small in size but they require lots of exercise. This means you must be prepared to spend time taking the dog out for exercise regularly. Otherwise, the puppy could bug you to death so that it can get the exercise it needs. In other words, if you are going to buy a dog, be sure that it's a dog that can adapt to your current lifestyle.

3) Is it the right dog for children?

A young pup doesn't have much social skills yet. It usually takes several weeks before you can see a dog's personality. The problem is, pet shops like to sell the animals away as soon as possible because it's easier to sell cute and adorable little creatures. When the dog is that young, your child may like to play with it. But in a few week's time, the personality (not to mention size) of the animal changes. Ask yourself if the personality and size would still be suitable for your child. If you are unsure, it's better to delay the decision. A good way to choose a dog for the family is to approach a reputable dog breeder. Such breeders will be able to advise you on the right type of dog to buy.

4) Training needs.

If you are a first time owner, make sure you have some way of training the pup. All babies need to be house broken. If you don't know how, pick up the knowledge as soon as you can. If time is a concern, you may wish to consider hiring a qualified dog trainer.