Are you in the market for a new puppy? I’m sure your emotions are at the top of the list and the excitement is too! This is normal human reaction to a new _____, but especially when considering a new pet. As I have said in previous blogs, a puppy/kitten is not a purchase (nothing is free) to be taken lightly but it’s an investment, and should never be disposed of just because the job gets to hard. I’m going to list a few things for you to consider. I’m sure I’ve written about some in the past but it begs repeating.
Mistakes new puppy owners make, that could have been avoided.
Wrong breed choice. Many times we chose a breed that looks good on “paper,” i.e., YouTube, social media, dog shows etc., and haven’t realized the hard work it takes to develop the skills that you are impressed by. Could your breed choice be to big for your living space?
Not taking into account what responsibilities a new puppy bring into the home. Here again people are baffled (or I am), by how much “trouble,” a puppy can be. With all of the online resources we have at our fingertips that we are able to access with just a few click, clicks. Oftentimes, people call me the following morning and say, “You didn’t tell me she/he was going to cry all night in the crate!” I DID but the person hasn’t taken the time to listen because their emotions have plugged up their ears.
Wrong Breed Choice: This one is usually the main problem. People don’t take into account the dog’s activity level with let’s say, a Border Collie or your living situation. You bring the dog into a cul-de-sac or apartment complex, these living situations aren’t the end of the world for the dog (in some cases it can be), but you might just need to work around this, by supplying the dog with an outlet for his energy. This can come in the form of a regular dog walker, that comes to the home while you are at work or providing ample exercise in the evening after work; such as a dog park or indoor/outdoor agility park.
How about dog size? I love Giant breeds but do they work in an apartment complex? Absolutely! However, with Giant breeds comes bigger everything! The Giant breeds actually do a lot better in smaller living spaces than a smaller breed of dog. Early in its puppy phase you will have to establish firm boundaries. They chew to destroy (as do most puppies) but their destructiveness can be….well GIANT! Vet bills will be larger too.
However #2 issue can also be the result of your breed choice too.
Happy Tails 🐾