A dog is a gift, a bundle of unconditional love. Once you bring a furry friend home, it will change your life forever, for the better. While dogs can be ever so loving, they need proper attention and care and these tips will address every aspect of pet care. By Vinita Nayar
It’s easy to fall in love with a cute puppy. But think carefully before you decide to bring the little one home.
With their fluffy fur, cute demeanour, endearing eyes and delightful mischief, puppies can charm even non-dog lovers. Most people who see puppies yearn to take one home as a pet. I remember, when my dog had a litter of seven pups, I had a whole host of people clamouring for the pups. Having briefed each and everyone on what bringing up a pup entails, I gave them away. A couple of weeks down the line, two of the ‘owners’ came back to me and said they were finding it difficult to look after the pups and if I could please take them back.
This is a very common scenario. Many people take pups home thinking it will be just fun and games, not realising that bringing up a pup is like bringing up a child. They need love, attention and plenty of care. And in the initial stages, they are going to poop and pee all over the house. You have to be prepared to clean up the muck and also have the patience to toilet train them. (Toilet training takes anywhere between two to four months.)
Ideally, if you are planning to bring a pup home, discuss it with all your family members. Who is going to take responsibility for the puppy or are you going to take turns? If you are planning on bringing a pup home and leaving it alone all day, forget it. Just like human beings, pups need people around – they love company. Left to their own devices, they get bored and as a result destructive. That’s when they chew up your shoes, newspapers and furniture!
Also, puppies need plenty of exercise. Who is going to take the pup for walks? Puppies have a lot of pent up energy and if they are not exercised, they turn destructive. Not only that, if you want to toilet train your dog to ‘go’ outside, they need to be taken out at regular intervals to establish a routine. If they cannot be taken out, they will mess up in the house.
When choosing a dog breed, factor in your house. Do you stay in a bungalow? A large apartment? Or a small flat? If you live in a small flat, think twice before getting a big dog like a German Shepherd, Doberman or Great Dane. They need space and they need plenty of exercise. It’s cruel to coop them up within the confined space of a flat.
Many people just want a pedigreed dog. They take it home and chain it all day. That’s cruelty of the worst kind. If you can’t give your pup the freedom to roam around and play, if you are worried about your marble flooring, or the puppy messing up your house, it’s better not to take a pup home. Puppies need lots of love and attention. You wouldn’t lock up your baby, would you? Then, how could you chain a little puppy?
Make sure you can afford a pup before you take one. They need regular visits to the vet, they need their shots every year, and other stuff like calcium, vitamin supplements, toys, leashes and collars that can add to your monthly budget. If they fall sick, then that’s an additional cost. All these expenses add up and can cause a dent in your pocket.
If your idea of keeping a puppy is chaining it, confining it or ignoring it, then keeping a pup is a bad idea. Bringing a puppy home can transform your life. They bring with them unconditional love and there’s nothing more uplifting than coming home after a long day’s work and finding this furry little creature wagging its tail in pure delight to see you. Not even your spouse can give you that kind of love!