Do you really think you are prepared to bring a cuddly furry friend home? After all, do you think you’re really ready? Sure it sounds wonderful, in theory, but before you go out and bring home the first puppy that melts your heart, there are certain things you’ll you must consider very carefully. Let’s have a look.

Firstly, do have you the time?

Puppies need your time and lots and lots of it. If you’re constantly rushing to get everything done, you may need to seriously reconsider the idea of taking home a puppy. A puppy is a new creature to this world. Puppies need plenty of your time and attention to learn how to properly share your world. A puppy is going to require lots of help being taught how to potty train, how to behave properly around other pets and people, plus lots of your attention for playtime. Do you have plenty of time to give a deserving puppy?

Does the Rest of Your Family Agree?

If the puppy is going to be a part of a family, they are going to affect everyone else in the family. That is why it is pretty much essential to make sure everyone in the family agrees to accepting this new member. Agreement ensures that the puppy comes into a fully welcoming home and you not going to create any unwanted issues or tension between family members and the puppy, too.

Are You Prepared For The Work?

Puppies take work, a lot of work, are you prepared for that? Are you ready to have mop and paper towels in hand constantly?  Are you ready to get up in the middle of the night to take care of your puppy’s needs? Ready to play, even when you don’t feel like it? To make those vet trips and pay those vet bills? Plus making the trips to the stores to buy their pet food? Are you ready to deal with emergency situations with your puppy? Are you willing to spend the hours and hours it takes to physically take care of your puppy; training, bathing, brushing, feeding etc?

Can You Afford the Puppy?

Puppies cost money! Even if you get a puppy absolutely free, your puppy is not going to be free for very long. Maybe you’re buying a purebred pup, either way, the expenses don’t end when you take the puppy home, they have only just begun. You will need money for food, bowls, toys, treats, bedding, crates, leashes, collars, grooming, shots, neutering or spaying, training or obedience classes, routine medical bills, unexpected vet bills, to mention most but not all expenses. So be prepared for lots of expense and decide honestly if you really can afford that furry friend.

Do You Have Support?

We have mentioned that it is a lot of hard work taking care of and bringing up a puppy. Will you have any support to help you when you need a break? Think long and hard about this before you take on a puppy and you will save yourself much future stress. Support can come in many different forms; the neighbor who walks your dog for you every once in a while, the family member who will dog-sit for you when you go out of town, the friend who can offer puppy potty training help and/or advice.

If you have honestly answered these questions, then you will be in a very good place to make a realistic decision about whether you are able to adopt a puppy or not.

If the answers show you are really ready for a puppy at this time, then waiting until the time is right would be the proper thing to do. You and your potential puppy will be much happier and therefore better off. If the answers show you are ready, congratulations, go for it! It’s an exciting time for you as you venture into the whole new world of pet parenting!