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5 Signs You’re Ready for A New Puppy

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Have you been thinking about your dream puppy lately? Do you wish you had a four-legged best friend to cuddle with? If so, you want to get a new puppy! Puppies are humankind’s greatest friends! Their sweet faces, doe-like eyes, and fun-loving personalities have us wrapped around their paw.  Beyond that, puppies offer us unconditional […]

Have you been thinking about your dream puppy lately? Do you wish you had a four-legged best friend to cuddle with? If so, you want to get a new puppy!

Puppies are humankind’s greatest friends! Their sweet faces, doe-like eyes, and fun-loving personalities have us wrapped around their paw. 

Beyond that, puppies offer us unconditional love and support without asking for anything in return. Whether as an exercise partner or cuddle buddy, puppies are happy to be there for us no matter what! 

Now, it’s easy to fall for your dream puppy but owning one is a different story. All puppies, regardless of their breed, are a lifetime commitment. 

Puppies need food, water, shelter, vet visits, attention, toys, and other items to be happy, healthy dogs. You’ll need to dedicate time to clean up after messes, go on walks, and make regular trips to the vet

Before you make a trip to the pet store, think about your current lifestyle. Are you ready for the challenge of caring for a new puppy? 

If you aren’t sure, here are 5 signs that you’re ready to bring a new puppy home with you!

1. You have time to train your puppy. 

A puppy pawing at their owner's hand during training outside.

Puppies are always compared to babies or young children. And in many ways, they’re almost identical! Every puppy needs love, care, and attention from you, just like a baby. 

Your puppy may mess up a few times. They may end up peeing on the floor, turning your furniture into their personal chew toy, or tiring you out with their high energy.

To help your puppy adjust to your rules, take time to train them the right way. Dedicate a few hours of your day to puppy potty training and basic obedience. The earlier you train your puppy, the faster they’ll learn. 

Puppies absorb information quickly so they’ll learn the rules of your home and what you expect from them. Socializing your puppy is also another key step in their development.

Have you ever seen a dog that’s extremely shy or aggressive around other people or pets? Many of these dogs lack the proper socialization from puppyhood to handle new people and situations. 

Your puppy needs to be introduced to different people, sights, sights, and situations from an early age. Doing so will help your furry friend become a well-adjusted, friendly adult dog.

Training is a lifelong process so if you’re willing to make time, you’re ready for a new puppy!

2. You’re very active. 

An adorable puppy running across the field with owner chasing behind them.

Training and socialization are two pillars of your puppy’s early development. Your four-legged friend also needs regular exercise to maintain their health and happiness. 

The amount of exercise a puppy needs depends on its breed and size. Most breeds only need moderate exercise each day. However, there are other breed types with high stamina so they may expect more attention from you. 

For example, a sporting breed like the Golden Retriever is active, needing a few hours of exercise every day each week. Meanwhile, a non-sporting dog like an English Bulldog only needs a few minutes to an hour of activity per day. 

If your dream puppy belongs to an active, high-energy breed, it’s important that you’re available to handle their energy levels. Without sufficient exercise or attention, a puppy will become bored and indulge in naughty behavior. 

The last thing you want is to come home to a messy house and damaged shoes. By playing and keeping your puppy active, you help them stay healthy mentally and physically.

They’ll also learn important lessons while playing, especially if they play with other people or pets. 

You can also encourage your puppy to play brain games. Brain games stimulate your furbaby’s mental capabilities and reinforce their natural canine instincts. Some common mental games include puzzles, Kong toys, and scavenger hunts. 

Although they’re not challenging your puppy physically, brain games can help make your puppy smarter. This will come in handy when you’re training your furry friend.

Does being active or playful with your puppy sounds like a dream? Then, a new puppy might be for you!

3. You’re financially ready. 

A cute puppy licking their happy owner's face on the couch.

Before bringing a puppy home, take a quick look at your financial situation. Puppies may not seem like much, but they can be costly.

Food, collars, leashes, vet bills, cleaning products, bedding—there are various expenses your puppy will accrue throughout their lives. There are also sudden emergencies, leading to unexpected vet visits (and bills!).  

You can choose to have pet insurance to help you pay for vet costs, but this option also comes with a price tag. 

Your puppy will also need bowls and toys. If your puppy’s bowl starts to rust, you’ll need to replace it with a new one (hopefully, one with higher quality). Toys also break or get torn apart over the years. 

We know your dream puppy is cute but be sure you’re financially stable before making a huge decision. 

4. Everyone in your household is ready. 

A cute Golden Retriever surrounded by their family members while outside in their backyard.

Don’t forget to include your family, significant other, and even your roommate about your plans for a new puppy. Even if your family seems open to having a four-legged companion around the house, it’s still important to let them know and ask their opinions about it.

You should also discuss who will help you take care of your puppy if any. Make a detailed plan of responsibilities and tasks that your housemates or family members need to do. Let others in your home know the rules of training so that your puppy learns quickly. 

Most importantly, check that your other pets are open to having a new four-legged member of the family. Many older dogs are used to being the center of attention and the idea of sharing the spotlight isn’t anything that’ll make their tails wag. 

Some dog breeds are naturally aloof and reserved around unfamiliar guests. A new puppy is no different. Consider your dog’s personality, their interactions with other dogs, and how well it matches your dream puppy. 

5. You’ve done a lot of research. 

A cute Pomeranian puppy sitting and looking at their owner type on their laptop next to them.

One of the best things you can do before bringing a puppy home is to do research. Search up your favorite dog breeds.

Learn about their history, their size, and their appearance. What is their temperament? What do they look like as adults? Do they have rigorous or moderate exercise needs? How many times do they need to be groomed? 

When you perform research, you’re ensuring that you’re choosing the right dog for you and your home. You also prepare for their homecoming as you learn what type of dog food, supplies, and other things your puppy needs before they come home. 

Taking care of a puppy is an adventure all on its own! We always recommend getting ready for any surprises that’ll come your way with a new puppy. Your puppy will depend on you for its happiness for the rest of its life. 

If you’ve decided you’re ready to have a puppy at home, we promise it’ll be worth the hassle and trouble in the end. We hope this list helps you decide whether you’re ready for a new furry friend!

Check out our blog post, 5 Life Lessons Kids Learn From Puppies to learn what puppies teach children.