Are you ready for the commitment?

Bringing a dog into your life is a beautiful journey, but it comes with responsibilities. Before you make that decision, please understand what it truly takes.

"You saw or met a dog that seems so cute and cuddly - you think let me get one! Your child wants a dog as a playmate - you want to make your child happy."

Before you get a dog consider these important aspects:
Being a pet parent entails several responsibilities that come with the joy and love you receive from your pet.

What to expect with any puppy

  • Puppies will pee and poop anywhere until they are trained which may take anywhere from one to two months at least. Expect to clean up after them regularly.
  • Puppies will usually bite and chew at anything both soft and hard as they are teething and the chewing is soothing for them. Expect to have a few things chewed on around the house.

Dealing with Biting & Chewing

If you know and understand that all puppies need to bite and chew to relieve their teething pains, then you will want to provide enough and varying chew toys and also puppy proof your house.

Wood is particularly tempting - so spray wooden legs with no chew sprays or apply pepper/chilli paste. Keep shoes inside. If your puppy nips you, yelp loudly to show it hurt.

Potty Training

You’ll have to take a puppy out on several short walks a day right after they get up after a nap and 20 minutes after each meal. Perhaps again 40 minutes after the meal. You’ll have to watch and see when your puppy tends to have accidents and figure out when or how often to take them out.

Reward your puppy when they do their job outside but expect that they may not do it every time you take them out. Try to take your puppy to the same spot they urinated on earlier as dogs usually like to go on the same spot.

Therefore make sure to clean up with a cleaner that removes the smell if they go at home. Remove any mats that have been peed on until it’s been washed well. Be patient and persistent.

Note: Having a puppy means that at least for the first couple of months there has to be someone at home who can take the puppy out everyday consistently several times a day. Once the dog is potty trained it will still need to taken on a walk at least twice a day.

One more thing...

If you’re good with doing the above for your puppy, then there’s one more thing to be aware of before you get a dog. You’ll have to get a pet sitter or leave them at a pet sitters house every time you go on a holiday. You would need to find someone whom you trust or who has been well recommended and start leaving your dog with them for a few hours first and then later for a night even if you aren’t going on holiday so that they are used to being without you.

Different Breeds - which one should you choose?

Any dog will adapt to the conditions it is put in and if the pet parent trains it well, feeds it appropriately (only twice a day) and not excessively, gives it enough exercise and socialises the dog.

Check our Breed Guide