Have you heard the new term “COVID dog”? It’s a trend something my friends and family have talked a lot about for months now.
I was very fortunate two months ago to bring home the most loving and fluffy dog that has brought so much joy and light into our lives during this very anxious and dark time.
I thought it would be helpful if I listed a few things to watch out for and what you should know before bringing a new furry friend into your home.
Do your homework:
- Start with. what kind of dog you’re interested in?
- Do you have allergies? (Are you looking for your puppy to be hypoallergenic?)
- How many hours each day are you able to contribute to training and walking?
- What’s your budget and how much can you expect to pay?
- What size of dog would you like and how big he/she will potentially get?
- Would you prefer a male or a female dog?
- Do you have friends or family who are able and willing to help out or babysit in case of an emergency?
Next:
Once you know the breed you are thinking of adopting into your family, start researching breeders with the following in mind.
- Stay away from sites such as Kijiji since the breeder or seller can be a scammer or lead you to puppy mills
- Make sure the website is legitimate and has comments from previous pet owners.
- Ask for references
- Connect with the breeder and ask as many questions and you need
- Join Facebook groups so you can chat with other people on their advice about the dog breed and what to expect
Connect with reputable breeders to ask important questions such as “Can I see the puppy by Facetime or another video platform? “What are the rules around deposits?” “Are the deposits refundable?” “Where are the puppies being raised (in a home or barn) ?”
I know finding a breeder for a puppy can be quite overwhelming and time consuming. So, if you’re unsure what you’re looking for, there are many shelters and foster centers that are looking for adoption. If you would prefer to take home an older dog, it won’t be as expensive but keep in mind they may have past health or behavorial issues or future training needs
Dogs really are humans’ best friends and all they want to do is be loved and appreciated just like we do!
Here are some websites that will help you with your research:
- https://www.iams.com/pet-health/puppy-care/what-to-know-when-you-bring-your-puppy-home
- https://essendonvet.com.au/pet-library/caring-for-your-puppy-vaccinations-worming-fleas-food-desexing-and-more
- https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/ca/ontario/toronto/?age%5B0%5D=Baby
- https://www.thepuppyacademy.com/blog/2020/3/30/5-things-to-know-before-getting-that-puppy
- https://ontariospca.ca/adopt/
Doing your homework and following a plan based on the questions and suggestions mentioned in this blog will definitely take you in the right direction, I know it did for us!