What You Need To Know Before You Buy Your New Puppy
Posted on: 3 February 2016
Getting a new puppy can be exciting for anyone, especially if you have a family already. There's a lot you need to do before you bring a new dog into your home, and it doesn't stop at picking up small objects off the floor. Knowing what to expect, what questions to ask and what to plan for will help preserve not only your peace of mind, but the health and welfare of your family and your new pet.
Asking the Right Questions
Depending on where you're getting your puppy from there are a number of variables that you should ask about. Private breeders should be asked about the puppy's lineage and any hereditary health problems present in that history. Certain breeds also have a predisposition toward some congenital defects, such as hip dysplasia, curvature of the spine and organ failure, so educate yourself on the occurrence rate of various disorders in the breed you're adopting.
When dealing with non-breeders you need to be careful, not only for the welfare of the animal but also the legal ramifications involved. Selling dogs that aren't pure breeds is illegal in some states, so check with your state and local officials to be sure that any transaction is legitimate, and check up on the seller to make sure that the puppy in question isn't the result of a puppy-mill operation. County-run animal shelters are the exception, but you should still do your homework and make sure you know what your adoption fee is intended to cover, such as shots, spay/neuter surgery and RF micro-chip placement.
Making Arrangements
Before you bring your puppy home there are plans you'll need to make and changes you'll need to undertake to ensure that you're ready. If you have a fenced-in yard make sure you walk the perimeter to make sure there aren't any small gaps or spaces where your puppy can squeeze through. If you don't have a fence, set the expectation with your family that the dog is never taken outside without a leash, especially since most cities have leash ordinances to begin with. Make a dedicated space for your new pet inside your home which is both out of the way and easy to clean while you're house training.
Even if your puppy is up to date on their shots when you bring them home, there are multiple courses of vaccinations that need to be administered. Contact your regular veterinarian as soon as possible to schedule an appointment based on their last round of shots. If you don't have a veterinarian, ask the individual or organization you're adopting from which local veterinary clinic was used originally so that they'll have an existing history on file.
Bringing any pet home involves a great deal more work than many people realize initially. Due diligence and a bit of pragmatism will help you direct your efforts and focus on the tasks that matter and can be accomplished quickly. Most importantly, be attentive enough to hold off for a few days if your preparations aren't yet complete.
Contact a local puppy kennel, such as Your New Puppy LLC, to find your new furry friend.
Share