New Puppy in the Family?
Are you considering adding the pitter patter of cute, adorable, and very fuzzy little feet to your family? Puppies have an inexorable way of just drawing in your love and affection, looking up at you with those adorable plaintive eyes that just scream - “Take me home with you!!”
If you have finally decided to make this choice, you must understand it will cause a big change for your household. Puppies need attention - they need love and affection and lots of play time!
There are many things to take into consideration when deciding on your first choice of puppy. If you haven’t already picked a puppy out, there is the chore of finding a new puppy to accomplish. It is best to look for a local breeder that allows you to see both parents of the puppy. Papered puppies (such as AKC or CKC registered) are going to be pricier, but this way you have a detailed record of who the parents, grandparents and so on of this puppy were. You can have stronger confidence that there was no incest involved and the puppies should have been well bred.
While a new puppy from a respected breeder is a good idea, don’t forget to also check your local humane society - especially if you aren’t picky on having a pure bred puppy. Adoption prices are often cheaper and already come with some vaccinations - and most humane societies have the dogs pre-neutered or spayed so that they can decrease the risk of unwanted puppies.
Make sure the puppy looks healthy - it should have a wet nose, clear eyes, and soft, clean fur. Most puppies are also very energetic and will vie among one another for your affection. If a puppy is hanging away from the others or not approaching you, seems quiet or sad, has dirty or neglected fur, a dry nose, or a lot of mucus and mess around the nose and eyes, this probably is not a good choice for your household. Even if the puppy does appear healthy, make sure you have the puppy checked by a vet very soon after getting him or her home to get a clean bill of health. If the puppy isn’t healthy, take it back! You really do not want the cost and trouble involved in healing a sick puppy.
If you have other animals at home, be very careful when you introduce your new puppy to them. Cats and dogs can sometimes have issues with new members of the family - especially if they are older and are unused to having to share both their home and their people with some new creature. Older cats will tend to resent the intrusion of a new puppy and might pick on the puppy - getting in their shots while the puppy is still small enough and young enough to be unable to retaliate. Other dogs will become jealous - they will want whatever the puppy has and may fight with the puppy over treats, toys, food, and your affection. Do not neglect your other animals for the new puppy - they will feel the neglect and hate the new puppy because of its intrusion!!!
Hopefully, you can get a puppy that is happy, healthy, and gets along with any other animals in your family. If so, a puppy can be an absolute delight for you and your family! They are fun, rambunctious, and LOVE to play!!!
May 04, 2008 | | New Puppy