One of the most common presents that tend to be at the top of any Christmas list is a puppy. Adopting a puppy is a big commitment, and unfortunately, many people do not realize the responsibility that comes with caring for a puppy full time.

There are many millions of abandoned dogs around the world that have been left by their owners who no longer wish to care for them, so it is vital you can avoid such an occurrence and look after your pup for years to come. While it may not be for your entire life, it will be for theirs. So be sure this is something you really want to do.

We decided to wait at least one year when we moved into our home before adopting a puppy. We initially did not want to adopt a puppy but wanted an older adult dog as they tend to get overlooked, but sometimes, pups just crawl into your lap and the rest is history.

Before Adopting A Puppy Think Of The Commitment

There are a few simple considerations that you should mull over before you decide to invest in an extra furry member of the family, so read on to uncover more information.

Interactions with other pets

While you may not think that this is important but it really is. Some pups may not do well in a home with other pups or even other cats. When we first started talking about adopting a puppy, we wanted to be sure that the pup would be okay with our cats. While our cats are not too “fond” of our pups, they do tolerate them being in the home. We have a fairly large home so our cats have plenty of space to hide in.

Before adopting a puppy, many shelters will let you bring the pup home for a couple of hours to see what the interactions are like with other animals in the home, or they ask you to bring in your pets into the shelter. Either way is ideal. I personally like the idea of bringing the pup into your home as the pets that are already there are in their own domain and less stressed, plus it gets the pup out of the shelter kennel for a couple of hours.

Vaccinations & Veterinary Treatment 

If you are thinking about adopting a puppy, one of the first and most important things that you must do is book them in at a veterinarian center. A qualified nurse will check your pup over for any signs of ill health, whilst also providing them with their first round of vaccinations. Every puppy should have a course of vaccinations in order to stay safe against common dog diseases, otherwise, their immune system may not be strong enough to defend against illness whenever they encounter another dog.

When you take your puppy to the vets it is also likely that they will ask you whether or not you would like to provide your new furry friend with a flea and worm treatment, as this is especially important if you are going to keep your dog inside your home – you don’t want to find fleas in your bed or find out that your children have caught worms, so take preventive measures now to ensure this doesn’t happen.

A good veterinarian can make your life so much more simple with tons of advice and support, so it’s a great idea to search for a reputable center that maintains brilliant reviews. 

Keeping Your Home Clean 

Before adopting a puppy, you have to consider how you will keep your home clean, once you bring the new pup home. The easiest way to ensure that your home can actually stay clean is by regularly washing your pup, and you should aim to do this at least once a night (or whenever they come home from a particularly muddy walk).

Despite your best efforts to shampoo your dog as often as you can, dirt and grime are still going to make their way inside if you don’t take extra steps to make it stop. If you let your pup run around in the back garden, always put a thick rug by the door and encourage them to wipe their feet as they pass back inside.

You can teach a puppy anything with a few treats and some positive praise, so don’t think that they won’t be able to learn how to do it! Walking dirt into the home on their paws may not be the only issue, as their fur can pick up and carry a whole host of debris. Utilizing the best Dyson for pet hair all around your home will ensure that you suck up every last bit of grime, even their fur itself which can be a nightmare to remove any other way.