Expectations When Getting A New Puppy

It's almost impossible to resist a cute, loving, bubbly, inquisitive, playful puppy! They bring so much joy to our lives! Before you open your heart and home to a new little one let's review our expectations and consider the responsibility caring for a puppy will entail.

AFTER THE LOSS OF A PET
Some eager parents are looking to fill a void in their homes and hearts after the devastating loss of their beloved pet. While it seems like filling your arms with another joyful bundle will sooth the loss the opposite may happen. A time for grief is needed. Some people feel guilty for loving a new one as if betraying the lost one who gave you so much joy for many years. Some are completely caught unaware of the neediness of a puppy and the time needed to care for him/her at a time of self soothing and healing where you have little to give. While most readily admit that their lost beloved one can't be replaced that is exactly what they are trying to do. After a placement I hear such things as: my lost sweetie was so outgoing, she loved walks in the park, she greeted her daddy everyday with his slippers in her mouth, the new puppy is quite different, we thought we could train her. The biggest shock for most is losing a trained, loved, adult dog and then get a helpless infant puppy. They had not thought about what they would have to give but rather what the puppy would give to them, relief from the pain of loss.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CARING FOR & TRAINING A PUPPY
It’s around day two of life with a new puppy that most people start to ask themselves, “what have I gotten myself into?” When you bring a puppy home, you are suddenly faced with obnoxious puppy behavior like whining, biting, jumping, chewing, and peeing & pooping on the carpet. This new owner usually feels overwhelmed and out of control

If you’ve done any research at all, you know that proper care and training is critical during a puppy’s first few months. The things your puppy experiences now are going to affect him for the rest of his life. No pressure, right?

Between managing the puppy’s destructive tendencies, worrying about stuff like vaccinations and socialization, and dealing with well-intentioned but often incorrect advice from friends, family, and TV shows, a puppy parent can get a little overwhelmed.

There are ways to deal with all of the above behaviors and I will offer tips but all new parents need to go into it with their eyes wide open. Do you have the time to raise a baby puppy? It will demand a lot from you in order to produce the happy, outgoing adult dog that will delight you for years!

OK, now that you have seen the worst, let's look at ways to make it all manageable and worth the work!