How to Buy a Puppy Responsibly

how to buy a dog or a puppy

If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, you’re in for years of happiness and a bond unlike any other you’ve experienced. However, in order to ensure the best possible relationship between you and your new pooch, it’s important that you understand what you’re getting into with dog ownership, are prepared for it and that you find the best possible breed for your current and future lifestyle. At CT Breeder (puppies for sale in CT), we suggest future dog owners give careful consideration to the following prior to taking a new pet home:

  • Have you found the right breed to fit your lifestyle?
  • Will you be able to dedicate a significant amount of time to training, grooming and exercising your dog?
  • Will you be willing to dedicate the necessary amount of resources to ensuring that your dog has the best life and health possible?

If you answered yes to the above three questions, congratulations! Dog ownership may be ideal for you. However, don’t jump on the adoption bandwagon just yet. Even if you feel like a new pet will compliment your lifestyle, there are some things you should given in-depth consideration to before meeting with a breeder.

Choosing the Right Breed for You

While it is perfectly normal to look into breeds that you’ve had your eye on, don’t just adopt a dog of that breed because it’s “what you’ve always wanted.” While every dog seems ideal from afar, or “prefect” for your friends or family members, a particular breed may not fit your lifestyle. For instance, if you are infatuated with your friend’s German Shepherd, that’s all well and good, but if you live in a tiny apartment in the middle of the city, it would be unfair to both you and the dog to adopt them. German Shepherd’s are active and protective dogs that require a great deal of exercise and training, but of which they may be unable to get in a cramped apartment.

When selecting a breed, consider the size, activity level, diet and temperament prior to adoption. The great thing about adopting from a breeder is that none of these things comes as a surprise, as a knowledgeable breeder should be able to tell you exactly what to expect from your new pooch.

Puppy or Adult?

Many first time dog owners want to adopt a puppy, but the truth is that a puppy is not for everyone. When determining whether or not you want to adopt a dog or a puppy, it’s important to note that puppies require a great deal of time and attention—much more so than an adult dog. From housetraining to chew training, you may find yourself in over your head with a baby, whereas most adult dogs are already fully trained and obedient.

Additionally, most puppies require monthly veterinarian examinations, vaccinations and other medical care—all of which can quickly become expensive. You also have to pay for other necessities, including special food, collar, toys, bedding, etc., all of which they will quickly outgrow, and which you will quickly have to replace. You want to be sure that this is all stuff that you can afford prior to brining a pup home.

On the other hand, adult dogs are almost fully caught up with their vaccines, and have already been neutered or spayed (another great expense). Most previous owners already have the collar, toys and bedding that the dog is accustomed to, as well as a bag of food to get you started, thereby negating much of the cost of puppy ownership. However, some adult dogs may have abandonment issues, which are a whole other complication to deal with entirely. If you do opt to adopt an adult dog, are you willing to be patient and caring until they learn to trust you completely?

Dog-Proofing Your Home

Chances are good that your home is not ready for a puppy; don’t worry! Just like when you bring home a child, you’re going to have to take measures to ensure that your home is a safe space for your new family member. You may have heard horror stories about puppies getting into the trash or chewing up shoes, and these are certainly true! However, they’re only true of puppies who live in homes in which their owners did not take adequate measures to puppy-proof! Puppies will only get into what you let them get into, so hide your trash cans, invest in child-proof latches for cupboards (dogs are that smart!), place covers over electrical outlets and keep all medications, cleaning supplies and other harmful chemicals out of reach. Trust us when we say: puppies will find it all and get into it! Protect their health and keep them safe by removing any hazards prior to them moving in.

Choose a Veterinarian

Once you adopt a dog, you will be fully responsible for his or her health. For this reason, it is important that you select a veterinarian that you trust to care for you pup or adult dog for the first year of his life, and at least once a year thereafter. Do an online search of veterinarians near you, seek recommendations and schedule interviews. The veterinarian you choose is ideally one that you will be comfortable caring for your dog for the rest of his life.

Identifying a Responsible Breeder

Finally, it is time to choose your dog. While shelters are great as they encourage the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned animals, breeders are ideal, as they can tell you exactly what to expect from your puppy. From temperament to size, and grooming requirements to dietary needs, a purebred puppy is predictable, whereas a shelter dog is a loose cannon. Moreover, a responsible breeder has already taken steps to housetrain your pup, as well as ensured that he or she has had their initial vaccinations. A responsible breeder is concerned with the betterment of a breed, whereas shelters are just concerned with placing a dog in loving home (Which is not a bad quality at all, but can pose a lot of “unknowns” for you and your pup.).

Cute puppy for sale with a phone number 2039391964When selecting a breeder, it is important that you do your research. Many self-proclaimed puppy breeders are actually puppy mills, and just churn out puppies at an alarming rate. These puppies come equipped with alarming temperament issues and health issues, and often have to be put down at a young age. This is why it is so important to select a responsible breeder with proper certification and a golden reputation. CT Breeder is that breeder.

The best breeders only raise one to two litters a year and are concerned with investing considerable time and energy into selecting an optimal breeding program. Moreover, a good breeder will investigate you and your family to the point where it’s borderline invasive just to make sure that you’re the right fit for their pups, and not the other way around. Finally, a responsible breeder will have you visit their location so that you can where your puppy, his littermates and his parents have been housed and raised. In fact, they will ask that you visit multiple times to ensure that you’re comfortable with them and your family and vice versa.

Adopting a dog is no small thing, and it comes with a lot of responsibility and a lifelong commitment on your part. For this reason, it is so important that you select the PERECT dog for you, your family and your lifestyle. If you’re considering adopting a new family member, do yourself and your future pet a favor and do your research! If you are unsure of where to begin, contact the experts at CT Breeder for help. They can help you identify the best breeds for you, and even introduce you to their newest litters to see if you mesh well with any of the newborns.

The key to adopting the perfect job is to not rush things. Be patient, do your research and you’ll find your perfect pet in no time!

Posted by
olesia@themammothgroup.com