Should I get a puppy? 3 questions to guide your decision
“We’re pregnant!
But we’re a little worried… will the puppy wake up the baby? Should we wait until the next litter?”
Pregnancy - and about a million other life events - leave people wondering if now is the right time to take home a pup.
And I fully encourage thinking everything through.
Because while a new pup will bring incredible joy, love, and laughter into your life…
Well, they’re also living creatures. And they have their own set of needs (which sometimes feel more like demands).
So while I’d never tell someone no, you can’t get a puppy right now, I do try to help them with their decision. Sometimes they agree to jump on the next opportunity to bring home a pup! And other times they wait until a calmer season of life.
(This is why I, and really every breeder should, have a master waitlist. It lets people reserve their spot to get a pup from me, while comfortably waiting for the right time (and pup!) to come around.)
Now, I'm here to guide you through your decision. Is now the right time to bring home your new best friend?:
Do you have the time to raise a pup?
How much time could taking care of a cute little puppy really take? Let’s break it down:
For the first couple of months:
Potty breaks every 20 minutes, except during nap time
At least 3 hours of active play time
Near constant supervision
Multiple outings a week to work on socialization
A couple trips to the vet
Feeding twice a day
Grooming (depending on coat type)
Training
I know, when you list out all the responsibilities that come with raising a pup, it looks a little… stressful.
I guarantee you the list of all the good things that come with have a pup is much longer.
But I do want to be real with you. Because if you only have an hour a day to yourself to begin with, adding a pup to the mix could be too overwhelming.
Of course, you can always get help from family, friends, or neighbors too! My pup buyers always find a way to make it work.
But realistically, raising a pup might be more enjoyable if you aren’t moving, taking a two week vacation to Bora Bora, or… you get the picture.
2. Do you have the energy?
Perhaps this would be better phrased as: do you have the patience?
That might feel more like a rhetorical question, but it applies here.
Because some parts of raising a puppy bring out uncommon frustration, even in the best of us:
Repetition: You’ll need to teach your pup the same things over and over again. And they have a lot to learn!
Nipping: Have you ever heard people call puppies “little raptors”? During the teething stage, your pup will want to chew on anything and everything. You can train them to keep it to bones and toys, but it’ll take a transition period for them to figure this out.
Crying: There will be noise. It’s unavoidable. Again, you can train your pup to not use whining as a way to get your attention, but it won’t happen overnight.
Mid-night wake ups: For the first couple of months, your pup will have a teeny tiny bladder, which means they’ll need potty breaks in the middle of the night.
Again, this all gets easier with training and age. And half the time these behaviors are pretty darn adorable! But if you’re overtired or already feeling worn down, dealing with these tasks might feel more exhausting than bonding. And nobody wants that!
3. Do you have the money?
Buying a pup is already quite an investment.
Part of the reason ethically raised pups come at such a high price is because of the day-to-day costs.
I’m of course talking about before they go home here, but the same applies after.
-> Nutritious food? Quite the price tag.
-> Vet visits? I’ve gone bug eyed from a few of these bills.
-> Groomer fees? They add up.
That’s not to say there aren’t budget friendly ways to raise a pup! And I firmly believe people of all socio-economic statuses should be able to enjoy the love of a puppy.
But if you're stressed financially, know that the initial purchase won’t be your last cost.
If you answered yes to all these questions, then yay! This is probably a good time for you to get a pup! The sooner you bring them home, the sooner you'll be able to soak up all the love, joy, and snuggles.
If you answered maybe to one or two, it's time to put on your strategy cap. Do you have family, friends, or neighbors who could lend a helping hand? How would you feel about hiring a trainer to help? You have options here!
If you answered any of these questions with a hard no, it might not be your perfect moment to get a pup. And that's ok! You can still prepare (and daydream) for when the time is right.
By researching breeders and training techniques ahead of time, you'll be prepared when the right time comes around. And, you can still submit an application to most breeders now! As long as they have a waitlist, they should be able to accommodate you in waiting for the right moment.
Being a responsible pet owner isn’t always easy. But when you do find the perfect pup at the right time… well, let me just share some comments our puppy buyers have shared (so you know what you’re getting yourself into):
“We have two young kids (3 and 6) who have fallen in love with our pup. He is the best family dog and we couldn’t have asked for more!”
“She has made my family laugh more in the last two weeks than I think we’ve laughed in years”
“We feel that Nova has been part of our family since the beginning.”
So think through these questions carefully before deciding to bring home a pup. And when you are ready, we’ll be right here to celebrate with you! And of course, to help you find your perfect match :)