You met a dog that seems so
cute and cuddly?
You think, "Let me get one!"
Your child wants a playmate, and you want to make them happy.
Before you get a dog...
You might imagine your children playing happily with a new puppy, just like in the pictures. And yes, being a pet parent brings immense joy!
However, it also entails severe responsibilities.
Accidents Happen
Puppies will pee and poop anywhere until they are trained, which may take one to two months at least. Expect to clean up after them regularly.
Biting & Chewing
Puppies will bite and chew anything soft or hard while teething. It's soothing for them. Expect a few chewed items around the house!
What You Can Do
Potty Training
You’ll have to take a puppy out on several short walks a day:
- Right after they get up from a nap.
- After each meal.
- Perhaps again 20 minutes after the meal.
Watch for accident patterns. Reward your puppy when they do their job outside, but expect occasional accidents.
Try to visit the same spot (dogs like routine). Clean indoor accidents with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the smell, or that spot will become their favorite toilet. Be patient and persistent!
Biting & Chewing
Provide enough varying chew toys and puppy proof your house.
- Wood: Apply no-chew sprays or a bit of pepper/chilli paste to furniture legs.
- Shoes: Keep them inside a shoe cabinet.
- Clothes: Expect sheets or pants to be chewed if accessible.
Tip: If your puppy nips you, yelp loudly to show it hurt. They need to learn that biting you during play is not okay.
One More Crucial Thing...
You or someone in the family must be available all the time at home for the first month or so.
Why? To train the dog and give it a stable environment while it adjusts.
Planning holidays? You'll need a trusted pet sitter. Start leaving your dog with them for a few hours, then a night, even if you aren't traveling, so they get used to it.
Vaccinations: 3 times before they turn a year old, then once every year.
ADOPT
instead of buying.
There are so many sweet, loving dogs waiting to be adopted. You have various breeds and ages to choose from.
Why Adopt?
Buying encourages unscrupulous breeders who use dogs solely for profit and abandon them later. In-breeding by breeders often causes illness.
Note: Adopting a puppy is easier to train, but grown dogs are often very friendly, eager for love, and can be great companions if you have patience.
Adoption Resources
Bangalore & Karnataka
Hyderabad
Still keen on buying?
If you must buy, please avoid professional breeders unless they are highly ethical. Try finding a one-off litter from a family dog.
Checklist for an Ethical Breeder:
- Breeds only once a year (no overbreeding).
- Does not practice in-breeding.
- Allows you to visit and see the conditions (clean, happy, not scared).
- Mother and puppies are well cared for.
- Does not sell puppies before 7-8 weeks of age.
- Provides vaccination records for mother and puppies.
- Ideally registered with Kennel Club of India (KCI) with bloodline certificates.
- One litter at a time.