With the Holiday season upon us, we have all seen the signs and social media posts for new puppies available. You may be questioning whether your family is ready for a puppy for Christmas, but your concerns should be about much more than just the Holiday season as the many years of your new puppy's life should be considered too. Pet parents have many responsibilities and should be considered intently before you make your decision about bringing a new pet into your home.
Make Sure Children are Comfortable
If you are a parent, you should make sure every member of your family is comfortable and ready for the arrival of a puppy. A puppy is not the answer to the issue of a child who is scared of animals because an unsure child is more likely to make mistakes around a dog and find themselves in a difficult situation.
Who Will Have Responsibility
Perhaps the most important question you should ask is who is going to carry the responsibility for your pet over the next few years. If the answer is a child, you need to make sure they have the correct level of maturity to understand the needs of the puppy. Some experts point to a child being able to remember to brush their teeth each day without reminders from parents as a sign they have the maturity to care for a dog effectively.
Why Do You Want a Dog?
Dog's Best Life reports this is a vital question for your family to answer before you decide to purchase your new dog. A puppy should be rescued or purchased because you feel you are looking for an addition to your family that will be loved and properly cared for. If the answer to the question is that all your friends have a dog or they look cute as puppies, you should not be looking for a dog to buy.
Do You Have Time for a Dog?
A dog can be time-consuming for you and your family with the time you have available an important factor in your decision regarding adding to your family. When you become a pet parent, you are committing to take your new family member for walks every day and spending time caring for them. Besides the need for food, your new puppy will need to be cared for with baths, grooming time, and training that should begin when they are between eight and 12 weeks.
Owning a puppy isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. Consider if your family is ready for this commitment and has the means to take care of a dog before purchasing one for Christmas.
