Puppy Awareness Week (PAW) - Part 2

As promised in our last post, we're back! This will be the first in a short series of information and advice based posts, in honour of Puppy Awareness Week! We'll be covering 1 or 2 different aspects of dog ownership every day, so be sure to check back :)

Ready then? Here we go...

Are you ready for a puppy?
One of the key things in preventing rising numbers in dog shelters, is evaluating how suitable your life is for a puppy/dog. So many people get a dog to then find they can't afford it, can't cope or as some people in rented properties can find, simply aren't allowed one.

Only if you have the time and money for a puppy should you consider getting one. Consider your family situation, if a (human) baby comes along unplanned, will the puppy pay for it by losing its new home? Money sadly plays a huge part of a lot of dogs ending up in shelters, so look at your bank balance before looking at a litter! Aside from the initial cost of the puppy and obvious expenses like food, toys, puppy vaccinations, yearly boosters, micro chipping, spaying/neutering etc, you could also run into unexpected costs with things like illnesses.

Your puppy/dog getting ill  isn't something anyone wants to imagine but every eventuality should be prepared for! When you buy a puppy you take out an unspoken moral contract, a silent agreement to love, protect and care for your puppy, for as long as he/she lives. Pet insurance is often the best way forward for those of us who aren't heir's to a throne or empire.

There's also things like exercising your puppy, taking time to play with them and training them to consider. A puppy brings a lot of love to your life, but it will need a lot of attention and work in return. The reward will outweigh any effort on your part though, so it's worth putting your best foot forward and going in with your sleeves rolled up. Whether you're new at this or not, puppy training classes are a great way to get some expert help and provide your puppy with invaluable early experiences and socialisation.

The second most important part of preparing for a puppy is making sure you get the right dog for you. Forget Mr/Mrs Right, it's your perfect pup that you want to find! The first thing to decide is if you want a pedigree or a cross and if there are any breeds that stand out to you. Older dogs have as many benefits as puppies and may be easier on first time owners, so don't rule out the golden oldies, they still have a lot of loyalty and love to give. Then take into account you have over 210 breeds to choose from and you will begin to realise it's a decision worth taking some time over...

A good thing to do is to make a 'short list', single out 3 - 5 breeds you have some love for, then research those breeds until you could do an exam on them. Different breeds have different requirements, so you need to be looking for one that will suit the kind of life you live.

If you think a cross breed or an older dog could steal your heart, try taking a look at a dog who needs a hero willing to give them a second chance. Charities like Oldies Club, Blue Cross, RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home do amazing jobs and could have your best friend waiting for you!

Next time we'll be giving our views and ideas on how to meet your chosen breed in person before you buy and all about finding the right breeder for you, so be sure to check back tomorrow!

We hope you're enjoying Puppy Awareness Week so far,
Love & licks,
Rio, Jonny, Buffy, Rafferty, Monroe, Lily and Lola.
xo