by Joe Wrighter

Created on: January 26, 2007   Last Updated: August 28, 2009

The most important thing to know before you adopt a puppy is what you are getting yourself into. If you are fully aware that you will be subjecting yourself to a creature that will likely chew your furniture, pee on your carpet, try to get into your food, scratch and bite you, and basically destroy anything it can get it's little paws on, and are still willing to put up with it and love it, then you are ready.

Of course, adopting a puppy can be a lot of fun, too, but it's paramount that you know the risks inherent with raising a dog. Every breed has it's own quirks and tendencies, so make sure you do your homework before selecting a pup. If you don't, you might be shocked when your beagle won't catch a frisbee, or your Jack Russel terrier begins shedding all over you. Trying to keep a large, active breed indoors can also be disastrous. So make sure you know what kind of dog you want, and make sure you're ready to care for it appropriately.

It is essential to know how to train your puppy before you get it, because trainig starts the day you bring the little fluffball home. Make sure you and whoever else might be training the puppy have specific guidelines and disciplinary measures set up so that the training is consistent. Remember that potty-training takes patience, and don't forget to reward/praise your pup when he does something right.

Something else to be aware of is the cost of having a dog. Food, toys, grooming, shots, leashes, shampoos, treats, replacing destroyed items, obedience lessons/puppy orientations, etc, all add up, and the costs can vary significantly from dog to dog. More than financially, though, puppies will cost you time and energy. If you think you might be too busy to take your puppy for daily walks and play with it regularly, then it's probably not the right time for you to own a dog.

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