3 Things to do Before You Get a Puppy
Puppies are cute little balls of fluff sent from heaven. How does one ensure that the puppy we bring home is well suited for our lifestyle? What should we do when things don’t go our way?
1 - budget for unexpected expenses
Puppies are adorable, but don’t underestimate the financial responsibility!
First-year expenses often total around an estimate of SGD 1,700–5,100 on the average.
Unexpected vet bills, especially if your puppy becomes ill or injured, are one of the leading causes of regret among new owners.
Practical Steps
Create a budget that includes basics like food, toys, and initial vet visits, but also allows for unexpected costs such as emergency vet care, pet insurance, and training.
Setting aside a financial safety net for your puppy will reduce stress and help ensure they receive the best care possible.
Just like new parents to human babies, having a puppy should be a proper commitment that is thought through. A rash decision that is unplanned for often results in unhappiness & regret.
2 - prep for time & commitment
Underestimating the time commitment required will lead to much unnecessary frustration & guilt. Surveys show that over 20% of new puppy owners feel unprepared for the time needed to train, socialise, & supervise a puppy in their first year.
Puppies need consistent attention, patience, and structure as they learn routines and develop skills. This often lasts for 1-2 years while the puppies develop and grow into adolescents before maturing into their own skin as adults. Many curveballs will come our way.
Practical Steps:
Before getting a puppy, assess your daily schedule & ensure you have enough time to commit to training, exercise, and socialisation. If needed, consider support from family members where possible.
The first few months are especially demanding, so setting up a routine that works for both you and your puppy is essential.
Socialisation is not just meeting as many dogs as possible, or bringing them to the dog run. When done wrongly, we are not only not helping the pup to grow up well, we may cause more trauma, harm, reactivity for the dog as s/he grows up. A qualified puppy professional who has the know-how based on science is crucial in coaching new pet parents through the entire process which can last up to 12 months.
3 – research & seek help from professionals
Behavioural issues are one of the main reasons dogs end up in shelters. Many new puppy owners feel overwhelmed by common challenges such as biting, house-training, and leash pulling.
Without a clear guidance from a credible professional, these behaviours can quickly become frustrating and lead to regret and much unnecessary pain.
While there are genetic conditions that training cannot resolve, setting yourself and your puppy up for success means getting all the right help you need right from the get go
Practical Steps:
Research positive reinforcement-based training methods, proven to be the most effective and humane in dog training.
Consider working with a qualified professional trainer to guide you through the early stages of teaching your puppy crucial lifeskills.
Having a foundational training plan in place from day one will help you build & sustain a strong bond with your puppy.
As bonus, check out our Resources to find useful recommendations and even a puppy checklist to help you start preparing before you even bring your beloved new furbaby home!