Are You Ready for a Puppy?

In the UK, pets are popular. According to the latest statistics from the RSPCA, there are 8.5 million dogs, and 7.4 million cats, living there. We love our animals, especially dogs. So, every year, unsurprisingly thousands of households get a puppy, and start a lifelong relationship with their new pet.

A new pup brings almost instant joy, but they are hard work too. At first, they will turn your life upside down, especially if you do not get everything ready in advance.

Enough space

If you do not have enough space, you really should consider getting another pet instead. A puppy needs its own bed with enough space around it to play freely. Also, bear in mind that, at first, puppies will go to the toilet spontaneously, which is another reason you need enough room to confine them to one area of your home. If you are planning to cage train it, you will need room for the cage as well.

You also need a safe space you can leave your puppy in when it is a little older and you have to go out. At first, puppies will chew everything, and it will take time to house train them. Be sure to have the best dog treats on hand combined with positive reinforcement techniques to get your puppy’s training started. Therefore, you need a space where they cannot do any damage, and can dirty when they need to.

You also need to think about the future, and the room your dog will need when it becomes an adult. If you live in a tiny flat, buying a Great Dane is clearly not a good idea, in the long term.

Enough cash

Before taking on a dog, you also need to be sure that you can afford to do so. How much it will cost you to keep your pet happy and healthy depends on the breed you choose, and your personal circumstances.

Feeding a Pug is clearly much cheaper than feeding a bigger dog like a German Shepherd. If you have relatives your dog can stay with while you are on holiday you will not need to budget to put them in kennels or pay someone to look after your house and dog while you are away.

You also need to budget for parasite protection, vaccinations and pet insurance. If you get your puppy from somewhere like Douglas Hall Kennels Scotland your puppy will have already been vet checked, micro chipped, wormed, treated for fleas and had its first vaccination. Dogs from this breeder are also covered by pet insurance for a month. This saves you a lot of money, but not every kennels do these things, besides which you will have to pay for these things for the rest of your dog’s life.

The things your puppy needs

Before you pick your puppy up you need to have bought a bed, suitable food, a collar, a lead, a blanket, food and water bowls. You also need plenty of newspaper, and a way of blocking off the space your puppy is going to use, for the first few weeks.

Provided you are ready for your puppy, you will give them a good start in life, and he or she will be able to settle down easily.