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At some point in almost every kid’s life, they see other families with dogs. They fall in love with the big puppy eyes and the cute way that they bound around. Shortly thereafter, they’re begging you for a puppy of their own. Saying no is hard, and it’s also often ineffective. If you are considering getting a puppy, there are some questions you should discuss together. The answers you come up with may calm your fears, or it may dissuade their desire.
Are the Kids Ready for the Responsibility?
Owning a dog isn’t like owning a fish. A fish can be left alone in its tank all day as long as you remember to feed it. Dogs on the other hand, will crave attention. They need exercise. If left alone, they can be destructive. You also need to clean up after them. If the puppy is for your children, they need to understand that they will be the ones responsible for taking care of the puppy. They need to know what that entails.
Consider how your children handle their other responsibilities. If they shirk their chores, then they may not be ready for a puppy. You could have them prove their readiness by completing their chores properly for a month and taking care of a neighbor’s dog.
Does a Puppy Fit Our Lifestyle?
As mentioned previously, a dog shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time. It is even more important to not leave a puppy alone. If your family lifestyle is a busy one that constantly leaves the home empty, you may not be able to give the puppy the attention it needs. If this is the case, you have a choice. You can change your lifestyle, you can take the puppy with you, or you can choose to not get a puppy.
Is Our House a Safe Place for a Puppy?
Just like how you would baby-proof your home when you have a crawling baby, you need to puppy-proof your home to make sure it’s a safe place for a little pup. Puppies are curious creatures. They will go wherever their sensitive nose leads. Many food items in your home could make your puppy sick. Make sure that you keep food up high where they can’t reach. Sweep your kitchen floor regularly, and make sure that the pantry door stays shut.
Your puppy is also likely to pull on curtains and tablecloths. Make sure that there is no chance it could pull something heavy or fragile on top of itself. You should also keep cords out of the way so that it can’t get tangled and choked. If you have electrical cords, make sure that the puppy can’t access them and chew on them.
Can We Afford a Puppy?
Puppies don’t generally come cheap, especially if you are planning on getting a pure-bred one. But the cost of buying the puppy isn’t the only monetary concern. You are going to need to pay for food, grooming, vet visits, dog toys, and a dog bed. These things can quickly add up. You can offset some of the cost by asking your children to work odd jobs to pay for their puppy. This will help them understand the responsibility that is involved with owning a pet. You can also have your children take responsibility for the grooming and care of the puppy. This will help them develop a special bond.
What Breed Should We Get?
Not all dogs are created equally. Some are very docile creatures; others are very animated. Some are aggressive; others are friendly. Some will start out small and grow to be very big. Still others won’t grow much at all. When determining the breed of dog that you want, consider how much space you have in your home and backyard. Large dogs generally need larger spaces to roam and exercise. If this is your first experience with a dog, you probably should not get an aggressive one. Particularly if you have small children. However, trained properly an aggressive dog can become very protective of your family and property.
Do We Have a Vet?
Your puppy is going to have its fair share of medical concerns. There are a host of conditions that can adversely affect a dog. You don’t want to wait until you see signs of disease to get your dog checked out. You should be taking it in regularly for checkups. As such, it will be a good idea to determine your vet before getting a puppy. You may even wish to ask for the vet’s recommendation on which breed tends to be the healthiest. You can find a good vet by searching online and looking at reviews.
Are Pets Allowed Where We Live?
Before committing to a pet, you should determine if you are actually permitted to have one. If you live in an apartment or rental property, the owner may have restrictions on what kinds of pets are permitted on the property. You may be able to get around these restrictions if the animal is an emotional support animal or service animal. However, you will likely be required to show proof.
Even if you own your own home, you may face restrictions due to local HOA laws. Some HOA’s will prohibit dogs outside of fenced areas. Others may have rules regarding dog feces. You should check with your local HOA if they have any animal restrictions. Finally, make sure that your city hasn’t outlawed any breeds of dogs. Some dogs have been made illegal in certain areas to own due to their aggressive natures.
Who Will Train the Puppy?
An untrained puppy can destroy your home. Someone is going to need to be responsible for training the pup. You should decide who that person is before you purchase the pet. Make sure that you research proper training techniques. If you can afford it, you can take the dog to a training school. If not, there are also a lot of free training resources available online.
Owning a dog is an exciting dream for most children. All the obstacles for owning a puppy can be worked through. Don’t use these questions to discourage a puppy. Use them to have a reasonable conversation with your child so that they can be prepared for the responsibility involved with their furry friend.
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