How to Know if You’re Ready for a Puppy

You’ve watched a bazillion YT videos about happy dog-owning people. You find yourself being urged by your dog-owning friends to take the plunge and get a dog. But before you do, answer Yes/No to these eight questions. If you have more yes’s, you’re ready. If you have more no’s, DON’T Adopt!

Question #1:

Are you ready for a baby? Are you ready for a child?

A puppy is a 4-legged baby; a dog, a 4-legged child. If you are not ready mentally, emotionally, physically for a baby or a child, then please do NOT adopt a dog.

Ready?

Yes/No

Question #2:

If you’re not single, does EVERYONE living with you want a dog?

And. I do mean EVERYONE. All it takes is for one person to become frustrated, impatient, and then the tears and shouting starts, and the new “puppy” situation can deteriorate faster than you can say “downhill.” And the puppy will pay the price, through rehoming, returned to the breeder (if it came from the right kind of breeder) or sent to a shelter/rescue.

Yes/No

Question #3:

Do you know what breed of dog is right for you?

It doesn’t matter if purebred or mixed breed, there’s temperament, size, energy, gender, et. al. to think about. Be honest with yourself about your lifestyle and choose a dog breed that fits it. Remember that the dog of your dreams may not be the dog that is right for you (and your family) at this point in your life. Know the breed before you adopt!

Yes/No?

Question #4:

Do you have a plan to train your puppy/dog?

Did you know that 96% of dogs surrendered to shelters by their owners received zero, zilch, nada training. . Whether you choose online training/videos, or in-person, don’t be a statistic, have a plan. you and videos, in-person, or IF you have a breed such

Yes/No?

Question #5:

Is your home puppy proof?

Just like w/toddlers, puppies put everything into their mouths and get into everything.

Yes/No?

Question #6:

Are you ready for time/emotional commitment a puppy/dog takes?

People severely underestimate the time a dog takes. And if the dog gets injured, needs $$$$ surgery, that means a house reno or vacation postponed. Ready?

Yes/No?

Question #7:

Are you ready for the maintenance and potential costly repairs?

Yuppers. Chewed shoes everyone’s heard about. But what about “other”. Are these meltdown material?

Yes/No?

Question #8:

Can you afford the expense of owning a puppy/dog?

1st year costs are minimum of $2200 for a 1st time owner incl cost of the dog, food, supplies (adopting fr a shelter). Getting the puppy from a reputable breeder, if you go that route, costs can increase $$$.

Yes/No?

And your score is???? So many people spend more time deciding what color their new car should be than they do deciding the right pup to bring into their lives. Don’t you be one of them. If you’re ready, great! And if you’re not, thx for being honest!

If you would like to explore these questions more in-depth, and glean more information, please visit my e-book where you can download the book for a nominal cost.