Are you thinking about getting a puppy? There’s a few surprises that you might not be prepared for. Here are some things that you should keep in mind before you fully commit to this decision. It’s best to be ready for the changes that will come to your life.
They’re Like Babies
First, it’s important to understand that puppies are a lot like babies. What do we mean by this? Well, when you first get them home, you’ll struggle to get a solid night of sleep. Don’t forget, puppies are used to sleeping with their mother. So any change in routine is going to be quite a shock. One of the ways that you can handle the cries is by putting a ticking clock in a soft toy. This will replicate the sound of their mother’s heartbeat. You will also have to quickly differentiate between a cry for attention and a cry because they need to go to the toilet. Remember, a dog won’t do its business where it sleeps unless they are absolutely desperate. This is why it’s important to make sure that a sleeping crate isn’t too big.
They Follow You Everywhere
Another point to think about is that a pup will follow you everywhere or at least, they’re going to try. You’re not going to get much free time in the first few months unless they’re asleep. We’ll discuss sleeping habits just a little further down. For now, just be aware that a pup is going to follow you to a lot of places including the bathroom. This might be why puppies love playing with toilet paper. Yes, they really will run around with it in their mouth, dragging a massive line behind them – if given the opportunity.
They Eat And Chew Everything
This differs depending on the breed you choose. But it’s fair to say that most young puppies will eat and chew anything and everything they can find. If you notice a sudden change in your pet’s behaviour, it is going to be worth taking a trip to see a veterinarian. They’ll check if your pup has eaten something they shouldn’t have which is making them feel a little under the weather. Usually, this won’t be serious but they may need a little time to recover. Another sign will be if your pup is eating grass. Puppies learn quickly that grass makes them vomit. They’ll eat grass if they need to get something up.
They Sleep…A Lot
Again, puppies are similar to babies. Another example of this is they actually sleep a lot. People are often surprised by how much a little pup will sleep through the day. You won’t get as much playtime as you might have anticipated. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you do give them attention when they want it. An hour of playtime is more than enough for a little puppy who is just starting to find its paws.
They Sink Into Habits Quickly
Next, you should think about habits and how quickly your pup is going to pick them up. The answer is very quickly. One example of this would be sleeping habits. You might think it’s okay to let your puppy sleep on your bed every so often. Well, this isn’t quite true because if you let them sleep on the bed a couple of times, then they’ll want to sleep on the bed all the time. This is fine when they’re little but once they get bigger you might not want to share the space. So, it’s great if you can get them into the right routine.
They Are Highly Sociable
One more point to keep in mind is that puppies are highly sociable and this only becomes more apparent as they get older. If you get a puppy, you need to be prepared to dedicate a lot of your time to them. They’ll always want their attention and they are constantly looking for playtime too. This is why if you have space, it’s great to get two at the same time so they can play with each other. If you don’t have a lot of free time, a cat is a great choice as they are far more independent.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key things that you should think about before you get a puppy that you may not have heard before. Remember, this is always going to be a big decision and you have to make sure that you’re ready for the commitment that comes with it.
Leave a Reply