Should I Get A New Puppy

A new dog can be a wonderful companion and a great addition to a family that is prepared to take care of them.

Dogs are great at keeping you company and just being there for you. As I write this article, Misha is asleep, curled up right by my feet.

How comforting is that?

Earlier tonight, I was watching some television downstairs, and she curled up right next to me in the recliner enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. She is not much of a protector at thirteen pounds, but she does warn us when strangers come to the door. The point is, dogs are wonderful.

Earlier we talked about some of the factors you need to consider when you decide to buy a new puppy. However, another major decision remains to think about – should you get a new puppy or should you consider adopting an older dog.

Today we talk about getting a new puppy and next time we will continue with considering a grown dog.

Why Get A New Puppy

One advantage of bringing home a puppy is that, as long as you buy your puppy from a reputable breeder, you are generally certain that your puppy is healthy physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Another advantage is that your puppy will grow up with you. You will not have to deal with any prior issues such as abuse or neglect by previous owners. You are starting with a blank page, so to speak.

Also, you get to start training your puppy from a very early age. Training your dog is a very important part of dog ownership.

Puppies are usually energetic, entertaining, and adorable balls of joy. Both adults and children will agree that puppies are just plain fun to be around.

Additionally, puppies are great at adapting to a new environment and will usually settle in faster than an adult dog.

Why You May Not Want to Get a New Puppy

With a new puppy comes a great deal of responsibility, more so than a full grown dog perhaps. As they grow, puppies will change physically, but they may also change emotionally. Your puppy may grow up to act very differently than she did as a little baby.

Here is a short list of just little things to expect from your puppy:

• they can cause damage to furniture, shoes, socks, and other valuables when they are teething
• they are little balls of energy and may knock things over as they run around the house
• they need to be house broken which requires time, effort, and patience

Get A New Puppy – You Decide

Although most people see a puppy as cute and cuddly you need to realize that they come with responsibility. You are responsible for raising them to be well behaved adult dogs. So decide carefully.

You should also know that puppies should be at least eight weeks old before you bring them home. Bringing a puppy home before they are fully weaned from their mother can be a disadvantage to the puppy.

Choosing a Family Dog is a series of articles discussing several things you need to know when deciding to bring a new dog or puppy into your family. Move on to the next article, Buy A New Puppy, or go back to the previous article, Should I Get A New Puppy.