Before You Get A Puppy Ask 12 Essential Questions

Are you ready to answer this question: “Daddy (or Mommy), can I get a puppy?”  You might be inclined to reply: “Go ask Mommy (or Daddy) if you can get a puppy. Everyone has played on that mommy-daddy merry-go-round as a child and parent.

One answer is: “Yes! Let’s go get a puppy right now.” Or, “Yes! What kind of puppy should we get?” But wait, not so fast! Getting a puppy is a big commitment of time and money. We need to think about this before deciding.

If you want to get a puppy, you should answer at least 12 questions before making this big, and some might say life-changing decision. To get a puppy is like adopting a child. It becomes a family member, and as all new family members do, a puppy needs care, love, and attention.

1. Can You Have Dogs Where You Live

The first question before you get a puppy might be: Can you have a dog where you live? If you are renting, your landlord or lease agreement might prohibit pets. And if pets are allowed, you will likely need an additional security deposit.

You may promise to repair any property damages, but not everyone will. Your dog will probably cause some damage to the property by digging holes in the backyard or pooping on the carpet, or scratching on the doors despite your best efforts. So landlords usually require a deposit to fix the place after you move out.

If you live in a home supervised by a Home Owners Association (HOA), you better check their restrictions before you get a puppy. HOAs can be difficult and expensive to battle, so don’t ignore them.

Some local governments may also have regulations regarding animals. Not many, I suspect, prohibit dogs, but there may be some. Here, for example, are the animal regulations of Marion County, Oregon. The county does not generally have pet restrictions on your property, but not all animals qualify as pets.

If it is not legal to have dogs where you live, the discussion may end unless moving is an option.

Assuming no legal restrictions, you must consider other factors before getting a puppy.

2. Can You Afford A Dog?

One of the most touching scenes is seeing a homeless person with a dog. That scene reminds me that a dog doesn’t care if you are rich, famous, or good-looking. Live in a big house or on the streets. If you love and treat it right, it will be a loyal, dedicated companion regardless of circumstances. If a homeless person can love and care for a dog, why can’t everyone?

Those sentimental feelings aside, getting a puppy is expensive. If you buy a pure-breed dog, the cost of getting a puppy can be substantial. However, no matter the initial cost, it is only a down payment on what you will spend on your dog over its lifetime.

Food, for example. My current dog is a miniature schnauzer, Fancy. She is 12 years old. The dry dog food I buy for her costs me $25 monthly. That means that over 12 years, I have spent $3,600 on dog food. She is a small dog, so she eats about a third of what a German Shepherd would need. That breed would have cost over $10,000!

Add on top of food, the cost of vet bills, and other expenses, and you can see that the expense of owning a dog is not insignificant. One of my miniature schnauzers developed diabetes, and her vet bills were over $4,000 for the last year of her life. I don’t regret spending the money, only that I could not control her disease, and it finally took her life.

You can save money initially by adopting a dog from a shelter or a friend. Adopting a dog is noble, and I encourage you to visit and support your local dog rescue organization. The overwhelming dog population in these facilities is a testament to too many people’s irresponsibility regarding pets.

3. Should You Get A Puppy If Someone Is Allergic to Dogs?

Another possible problem with the  “Can I get a puppy” question is that someone in the family may be allergic to dogs. This problem may be a tough one to overcome. The health and well-being of your family are more important than owning a pet.

Several small breed dogs, such as the Miniature Schnauzer, Bichon Frise, Poodle, and Yorkshire Terrier, are hypoallergenic. If you prefer bigger dogs, you are not out of luck. You might select a Portuguese Water Dog, Giant Schnauzer, or Afghan Hound. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a complete list of hypoallergenic dogs on its website.

Even if someone has a dog allergy, you might find ways to cope, such as medications or setting up dog-free zones. If someone in your family is allergic to dogs, you should consult an allergist before you get a puppy.

Fear of dogs might be something that may or may not be solved. Maybe someone in your home isn’t allergic to dogs but doesn’t like or is afraid of dogs. You may have to consult an expert to see what your options are.

And someone not like dogs? Is that a real thing? My Miniature Schnauzer, Cleo, once told me: “You can never fully trust anyone who doesn’t love dogs!”  Or maybe, I just thought she said that. It might have been my imagination. Anyway, it sounds about right to me.

4. Who Will Take Care of the Puppy?

When you ask, “Who is going to take care of the puppy?” your child will answer enthusiastically, “I will.”  Please don’t count on it.

Some experts say to have a family meeting to decide who will care for the dog. I say, forget that. Maybe you will come to a family agreement, and everyone will agree to do some part, but in the end,  you will likely be in charge of feeding, grooming, exercising, and cleaning up puppy messes.

No one said it would be easy and your family would help. However, the rewards of the love, companionship, and fun you will have with a dog more than offset those other minor pesky problems. At least, they do, in my opinion. And if you do all those things for your new puppy, you will become its favorite family member. That’s reward enough for me.

5. What Size Of Dog Should You Get?

Do you want a small, big dog, or something between the two? Size does matter. Small dogs are much easier to control than big dogs. You can easily avoid being dragged by a 7-pound Yorkshire Terrier, but a 100-pound Bernese Mountain Dog may take you along.

If you want a dog for a specific purpose, for example, hunting or guarding, you will look for a suitable dog breed for that job. Every dog is an individual, but most dogs in a specific breed will have similar traits. For example, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is undoubtedly the right choice for a small lap dog.

If you want a small, independent dog with a mind of its own, the Parson Russell Terrier will meet those requirements. However, not everyone is ready to take on the challenge of this feisty terrier!

6. What Breed of Dog Should You Get

Once you know how big you want your puppy to grow up, you still have many different breeds from which to choose. (Mrs. Beckman would be so proud that I didn’t end the sentence with a preposition!)

Of course, when you want a puppy, you may not want a particular breed. Maybe a mixed breed (mutt) is just the dog you want. Mutts are every bit as memorable.

If you have other family members or friends with dogs, ask them what they like and dislike about them. Ask what breed they would recommend if they were to get a puppy.

Dogs come in all sizes and temperaments, so you have an almost unlimited number to choose from. For some help making a choice, you can try out the AKC’s  Dog Breed Selector.

7. Where Should You Get A Puppy?

If you take the Humane Society of the United States’ advice, you will skip pet stores and internet sites and go directly to your local animal shelter to adopt a puppy. This is good advice, and my current Miniature Schnauzer is a rescue dog. She is as loveable as the other five minis I have owned, which I bought from breeders.

Of course, avoid puppy mills altogether. We need to discourage people who breed dogs without regard for how they treat them. If you want a particular breed, look for a reputable breeder. You can find them on the AKC website.

8. Should I Get A Puppy or an Older Dog?

Even if you want to get a puppy, do you want a puppy or an older dog? Who doesn’t love puppies? Yes, they are fun and just about the cutest animal on Earth. Maybe stepping into one of their messes will change your mind.

If you dread the thought of housetraining a new dog, getting an older dog that is already housetrained is a better idea. That are many, many older dogs that need a forever home.

9. Do You Have Time to Take Care of a Dog?

Training and taking care of a new puppy requires a lot of time. If you work and have to leave your dog alone during the day, your dog may have additional dog separation anxiety problems. Anxiety can be a problem with older dogs as well as puppies. Dogs with separation anxiety can make quite a mess in your living room.

If you have a secure backyard, you can let your dog outside. My experience is that my dog wants to be where I am. Dogs need exercise. They usually don’t exercise when they go out alone. They tend to stay outside slightly longer than it takes to do business.

If you don’t have a fenced backyard or live in an apartment, you (or someone) will have to take the puppy for walks. This is not all bad; it lets you out of the house for fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.

10. Do You Have Time to Train A Dog

Although some breeds are more accessible to train than others, none I know can read a book and prepare themselves. Introduce if you get a puppy, and plan on explaining what you want it to do to your dog.

Some people make their living by training dogs. If you have difficulty training your dog, especially if you want it to do more than tell you when it wants to go outside, consider finding a dog trainer.

11. Do You Know How to Groom a Dog?

Before you get a puppy, decide who will be responsible for its grooming. Most, if not all, dogs need grooming. Notable exceptions might be a hairless breed, such as the Xoloitzcuintli (sometimes called the Mexican Hairless). No cutting of hair is required for this breed!

But they probably need a bath once in a while.

Some dog breeds should be frequently brushed to ensure their fur coats are not matted. Some dogs with short hair may not need brushing at all. One such popular breed is the Beagle.

Breeds such as the Miniature Schnauzer, Poodles (of any size), Bichon Frise, and others will need periodic (every six weeks or so) trips to the groomers unless you learn to do it yourself. I groomed my Miniature Schnauzers for a time, but now I take them to a professional groomer.

12. Do You Want A Dog?

No one can answer the “Can I get a puppy” question for you. The answer may be easy if you grew up with a dog and loved it. It might be more challenging if you’ve never lived with a dog.

When you get a puppy, your life changes. You must consider what you do with your dog if you want to go on a trip, vacation, or work. If you can work out these decisions, a dog will add a lot of joy and love to your life. My advice if you ask me if you should get a puppy is:  Get one (or two)!