The Holidays are fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about what gifts to get for the special people in your life. You’ve seen adorable videos of other people getting surprised with a new puppy and everyone seems so excited and happy. Maybe this is something you could do for a loved one? Great idea! However, it is important to really consider whether getting a dog is right for the recipient. Giving a dog as a gift should never be an impulse decision.
Be Sure the Dog Will Receive the Proper Care
Every holiday season tons of people adopt a dog to surprise their children or significant other but don’t actually plan for what happens after. Dogs require a lot of work and you need to be prepared to put in the effort. You need to take them for walks several times a day and give them plenty of attention. If your schedule cannot handle this added responsibility, don’t get a dog.
Make the Chance to Adopt the Surprise
Add paragraph text hYes, putting a puppy in a box and watching the surprise on your loved ones face can be exciting and fun, but there is another option. Consider giving them a gift of going to the shelter together and adopting a dog that fits their personality. This method is also less stressful and gives you time to really consider every aspect of adding a dog to the family.
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Make Sure Your Home is Properly Set Up
If you have a yard without a fence or a fence with clear openings that a dog could squeeze through, you should consider rectifying this before bringing the dog home. Not all dog owners have a yard but those who do will find that being able to let the dog run around outside is a great way for them to burn off their built up energy. Having a fenced in yard will reduce stress for both you and your dog.
Be Prepared to Be the Primary Caregiver
If you are adopting a dog for your kids, do not assume they will be the ones providing most of the care that a dog needs. Kids will say they’ll walk the dog early in the morning and feed them at every meal (and sometimes they mean it!), but you need to adopt under the assumption that most of the work of caring for the dog will fall on you. If you are not prepared to do this, or a dog does not fit into your schedule, do not adopt or wait until your circumstances change and you can properly care for them.
Be Committed
Introducing a new furry friend to your home will bring endless amounts of joy, but it also requires commitment. This is especially true in cases where you’re adopting a puppy who needs to be trained. Consider a professional dog trainer to help speed up some of the training that may frustrate new dog owners. Love your new dog and they will give your all their love in return.
If you are looking for Monmouth County Dog Training, Michael's Pack has years of experience working with all dog breeds.
