My First Puppy

Preparing for Your First Puppy can be a little stressful, hard work but a lot of fun. If you are in the market for a puppy, the most important decision you need to make is where to start. The other most important decision is you ready. Thousands of pet lovers set out on a new adventure with enthusiasm but when it’s too late, they get overwhelmed and realize they may have made a big mistake.

So, let’s start by asking a few questions before you move on to finding your next furry friend.

Preparing for Your First Puppy

Where are you planning on getting a puppy, at the store, animal shelter, or through a breeder.

Can you afford to have a puppy? How much will the overall cost you be?

Who will be caring for it when you’re not home? Where are you going to put him/her?

What type of puppy essentials and supplies are you going to need?

Can you have a pet in your rental?

These are just some of the questions that you will be needing to answer before you venture out and make your selection.

If you live in an apartment or condo, where is he/she going to potty. Will you be home in time to take him/her out. Most high-rise condos do provide pet owners with their own park, without having to leave their building. With proper care, everyone can share a small living space for playtime. Just make sure you read up on the requirements of having to complete your pups vaccination.

The next step, you’ll need to choose your breed that will fit your lifestyle. If you have your mind set on a specific breed, make sure it does fit you. Whether it’s a small breed or a big breed, you do want to pick something that can keep up with you or the puppy keeps up with you.

Let’s look at a few places you can check:

American Kennel Club has a website that can help with all the information you’ll need to make that final decision. The size of the dog when it’s full grown, its health care such as needing a groomer, will it require a certain exercise regimen so a yard should be considered or at least access to take your dog to a park.

If you live in a busy city, will you be able to travel to and from a park, if needed, without walking it on a noisy street? Some dogs will get scared if exposed to loud noise so training at a very young age will be important.

AKC also have a list of breeders that you can refer to.

Check your local shelter if breed is not a concern for you. You may even consider an older dog. Older dogs can be a plus especially if they have been trained. But if not, check them out anyway.

Newspaper ads on available puppies. You’ll need to call to see if you can meet with the breeder. Sometimes backyard breeders will say what you want to hear and later you find out you were given a dog of a different breed and size.

Now that you have decided on the breed, make a trip to the shelter, call and set up an appointment with the breeder to see if they have what you are looking for. Once you have decided, make your purchase, and head on home.

Buying vs. Adopting

So here is my two cents on the two different types to consider. I personally have done both for reasons. Most pet owners look for cutesy, so they are willing to spend. Otherwise, they will get something that they grew up with and have a little glimpse of their growing up days. So let’s be realistic if you will that adopting a puppy is just as good as a pure breed. There is a myth that pure breeds come with health challenges. Over breeding may play a part of that so do your research.

I personally grew up with shelter dogs. I even worked at a shelter and was able to spend more time with dogs of all breeds. I even found that dogs were turned in because they did not fit the lifestyle of the owner, or they just did not have time to take care of one. I will always consider adoption even if they didn’t have the breed I wanted.

I had mentioned buying a purebred and I did it for a business reason. I got my very first golden retriever. He is still in training and has been a blessing. He was going to be used for my business, Operation Purple Paws, a pet therapy company. He was in training when COVID hit. Well, I don’t have to say much. Everything was put on hold and so was training. I may still use him until he’s too old.

Supplies and accessories:

Most owners will purchase the basic supplies ahead of time so that they know what they are working with. Here are a few basic supplies that you want to get ahead of time.

Food (puppy food) most breeders or shelters have a specific brand that they use. Look for other articles on food and transitioning. This will help avoid a puppy having an upset stomach. We’ll venture in that area later.

Potty pad (lots of it) at least until he has all his shots, and the vet tells you he can start walking outside. Read my article on How to Potty Train puppies in 7 days.

Toys (puppy) that are designed for puppies. Puppies that are currently teething will need hard rubber safe toys.

Crate to secure your pup for the night or when you are at work. Training sooner rather than later will help puppies get used to the crate.

Meeting Your New Furry Friend: The Arrival

Pick up your puppy and I do recommend you take it home right after. You want to make sure viewing the shot papers and asking questions will help you plan better.

Once your puppy is settled in and will probably sleep, you can start planning for your next step, a vet visit.

I could go on and on but I think I will stop here. Make sure you do your research and most of all have fun. This will be your forever friend. He/She will need you the most until he/she gets some training in to help build his/her confidence.

Keep an eye out for more articles  on caring for a puppy below:

How to potty train your puppy in 7 days

Early Socialization for puppies

Vaccination and Health Care

Puppy Training