Puppy Love & The Reality of Owning a Pup
Owning and raising a puppy can be a brilliant experience but sadly, too many pups and young dogs end up in rescue because their owners didn’t understand the implications of having a puppy – having to give these pups up can be devastating for those owners, and it’s heart breaking for us to see the trauma these pups demonstrate at being ‘rescued’ when all too often, that trauma could have been avoided. So why does it happen?
Here’s a snapshot of the most common reasons why owners of pups give them up to us (and advice on how to avoid being one of those owners) – and yes, these are all genuine reasons why most of our owner surrendered puppies come to us…
Lack of research – too many people fall in love with a picture of a cute little bundle and forget that the cute little bundle is going to grow – so before you apply for a pup, please research the breed thoroughly to understand at very least, how big it will grow and how much food and exercise it will need. Once you know that, decide whether you have a big enough home/garden/budget and time to meet the dog’s needs.
Not understanding how demanding having a pup can be – puppies are exhausting, seriously! You need eyes in the back of your head and the ability to constantly supervise their awake hours. If there’s a way to cause mischief, they will find it whether that is chewing up your charger cable, your favourite cushion (or even your sofa, skirting board, other furniture, shoes, you name it, a teething puppy needs to chew and it won’t know what is or isn’t ok with you). It’s like having a baby but the difference being that babies stay put for the first few months so you have time to acclimatise and prepare – puppies don’t give you that time, they are full on from the moment they arrive. Think about how you will puppy proof your home to make it safe for him or her and protect your prize possessions.
On the subject of babies… It’s also important to remember that puppies pee and poop (so much!) and although some learn very quickly how to be clean in the home, others may take a lot longer. Think about this and do your research so you’re ready and equipped to house-train them. If you have young children, particularly if they’re at the crawling stage, think about how you will ensure that they’re not coming into contact with the pee and poop!
Not understanding how pups work – here’s the thing… puppies explore the world with their mouths and those mouths are full of razor sharp teeth. Puppies nip, and it hurts! Too many people give up their pups because they didn’t know that this is what pups do (yes, seriously!). So, if you have young children, there’s a better than even chance that the pup is going to nip them. And, if your child doesn’t like it and reacts, there’s a good chance the pup will think it’s playtime and, guess what, they’re going to nip even more. The (perceived) potentially harmful relationship between pups and younger children is the number one reason why people surrender their pups to us. So, before you apply for one, if you have young children, make sure you and they are prepared to be nipped and think carefully about how you will manage this.
Not considering the costs involved – before you welcome your new puppy home you will need to splash out on a bed, toys, food, lead, harness, collar, car seat belt, maybe a crate, and definitely an ID Tag as a minimum. Most people are prepared for that but forget that there are on-going costs, weekly, monthly and annual. Food, is the obvious one but there will also be vet fees, insurance costs, regular flea and worming treatments, grooming costs, annual booster vaccinations, and, of course, neutering costs when the pup gets to an appropriate age. Whilst all dogs differ, current research suggests that the average cost of keeping a dog is £150 per month, maybe slightly less for a very small breed but potentially considerably more for a larger one – the key is to do your research ahead of time to factor everything in when deciding if you can afford the longer term costs and remember, those costs will potentially be there for the next 15 years.
Failing to provide adequate training and socialisation – a poorly socialised dog and/or one who hasn’t had appropriate training will be hard work at best and, at worst, may develop challenging behaviours (another major reason why young dogs end up in rescue). The good news is that pups want to learn but can only do it if you know the right way to teach them so do your research, find out about socialisation and training needs for your chosen type of pup and plan ahead to make sure you can provide what they need. Even if you think you know all you need to about training your dog and preparing him or her for the wider world, we would always suggest attending puppy classes for a while too as this really does fast-track your pups understanding of ‘playing nice’ with other dogs and developing positive skills and behaviours.
Not understanding breed traits – different breeds have different needs – there’s no one size fits all answer to diet, grooming, health or exercise needs (to name just a few). Some dogs (particularly ‘working breeds’) need lots of exercise and stimulation to keep them happy and well-adjusted, without it they may become bored and destructive. Some breeds need daily grooming, others not so much. Some breeds are prone to particular health issues which can lead to increased costs, some may need medical intervention, ongoing medications and/or specialist (more expensive) diets to maintain their health. Taking time now to fully research the implications of owning different breeds will help you decide if you can fully meet their needs; now and in the future.
So, before you go ahead and get a cute little pup, take time to think seriously about the adult dog he or she will become and make sure you truly prepared for the responsibility of taking on a puppy – not just for a few months but for the whole of his or life. Making the right decision and getting the right pup will be well worth the time spent on doing your research now, and ensure that you really can experience the joy of puppy love!
