Considerations when choosing a puppy One of the many strange phenomena caused by the COVID-19 outbreak is that Australians have been flocking to buy puppies. The price of puppies have doubled and in some cases tripled in recent weeks as demand for puppies drives breeders to inflate their prices. Animal shelters have also been inundated with people rescuing their dogs which has been great to see. One of the reasons cited for this trend is that people suddenly have the time required to settle a puppy into their home and family. Many people have found themselves working from home instead of the office and decided they would like the company of a canine companion. Choosing a puppy and bringing it into your home is a very exciting time but it is also a life-long commitment. There are many factors you should consider when making your choice of puppy. To ensure you can enjoy life with your dog for the duration of his or her life, it is important to consider these issues first.

Financial commitment A dog from a breeder is usually more expensive than a dog from a shelter or rescue organisation. However, don’t just take the initial cost of getting a puppy into consideration. The price of the puppy is only a fraction of how much a dog will cost you over their lifetime. Here are some additional costs you will need to consider:

• Toys • Dog beds / blankets • Leads, collars and dog identification tags • Crate • Food • Puppy / dog-proofing your home garden & car • Health care costs – worming, flea and tick prevention • Grooming brushes, shampoo etc • Pet insurance • Council registration • Training • Dog walker / doggy day care • Dog boarding / vacation care

Time to dedicate to a puppy When choosing a puppy, consider the breed and puppy's energy levels and exercise needs. Energy level differs from dog to dog, but every dog will need to go for a walk twice daily. While some dogs may be content with a short walk, others may need a lot more. High energy dogs who don't get their exercise needs met will often become destructive or develop unwanted behaviours. These types of dogs will also need extra mental stimulation in the form of environmental enrichment, advanced training or extra physical exercise like running alongside a bicycle, agility classes, herding training or games such as fly ball. Grooming requirements are another factor to consider. Longer coated dogs take longer to wash and dry, they also need a lot more brushing. Long coated dogs can cost a lot more money as they often require professional grooming services. Dogs are social animals who become lonely, stressed and depressed when left alone for too long. They should not be left home alone all day. Consider how much time you or other family members will be home and available to your puppy. It is recommended to take time off work for at least a month when getting a puppy, and even after that, you may not be able to leave them alone for a whole day. There are options such as dog walking and doggy day care for when your dog will be left for extended periods. This is another financial factor to consider when getting your puppy.

Choice of breed If you are looking for a pure-bred dog, you can find registered breeders online. The advantage of getting a pure-bred dog is that you can consider which traits would make a dog suitable for your household and your lifestyle. Mixed breed dogs are a lot harder to match to particular circumstances. This said, it must be remembered that every dog is an individual and that the breed does not determine everything about the dog. How the dog develops depends on genetics, experiences, socialisation, training, exercise and the love and attention they get from those around them. If you do not have a specific preference when choosing a puppy, check local shelters and rescue organisations instead. When choosing a rescue organisation, make sure they have good screening and matching of both dogs and prospective owners. Rescue shelters will ensure their puppies are healthy and dogs will come with vaccinations, micro-chipping and worming treatment before adoption.

Choosing a puppy from a reputable breeder Whether you choose a puppy from a breeder or a shelter, it is important to know that your puppy was raised under sound and healthy conditions. Never be tempted to choose a puppy from a bad breeder just because you feel sorry for it, or because it is more affordable. This is exactly what keeps unethical breeders in business and the puppy is likely to cost you more in the long run with additional health needs and all too commonly additional behavioural issues. It is essential that your puppy is no younger than 7 weeks when it leaves the mother, ideally your puppy will be closer to 8 weeks. Medical information must be available and genetic testing results should be provided from a pure-bred breeder. The rescue centre or breeder should welcome you to visit the litter. When you visit the litter, the mother should be present. Pups and mother should be clean, healthy and happy. They should not be showing fear or aggression. A good breeder will always be curious about you and your suitability for their puppy. They will ask you lots of questions about the puppy’s future home and look to match you with the right puppy from the litter.

Final words… Before seriously looking for a puppy have a think about what you want in your puppy and how your dog will fit into your life. Do you want a puppy with low energy to spend time with at home? Or do you engage in lots of outdoor activities you plan to share with your dog? Once you have a clearer idea of what you want, it makes choosing a puppy a lot easier. Remember your lifestyle and requirements when choosing a puppy. If the puppy is not a good match for your lifestyle, s/he could end up developing behavioural issues due to under stimulation or end up becoming a cause of friction within the family.

Puppies are super cute and are a lot of fun, but they are a lot of work too! Taking on a puppy is comparable to bringing home a newborn baby, it really does take up that much of your attention. Young dogs have a lot of energy and your puppy may, despite your best training efforts, turn into a very trying adolescent. In just a few months, your puppy will turn into an unruly adolescent and then into an adult dog, who will share your life for the next 15 years.

Before taking on a puppy perhaps it is also worth considering whether you could love a more settled, older dog just as much? The shelters are full to the brim with older dogs who deserve a second chance and adopting a dog is an extremely rewarding experience. Not all older dogs who find themselves in an animal shelter have behavioural or health issues. A great number end up there from no fault of their own. An older dog can be a wonderful addition to the family without all the upheaval and mess a new puppy will entail.

Happy dog hunting everyone, we look forward to being of service in the future for any of your dog training or dog walking needs.