Adopting a Puppy - 7 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid

Newborn puppies are precious. Many people fall in love with them easily. But adopting a puppy is a big commitment. Oftentimes, especially around the holidays, kids beg their parents for cute puppies as gifts.

What parent can say no to their kid when they're begging for a cute little puppy. They then realize what a huge commitment adopting a puppy really is. So what usually happens 2 months down the road? The puppy ends up abandoned or put in a shelter. Avoid these 7 biggest mistakes if you're thinking about adopting a puppy.

Is Your Lifestyle Compatible With Your Puppy?

The first thing to consider when adopting a puppy is your lifestyle. Are you always on the go? Are you single, married? Do you have children? How mature are your children? How old are you? Are you someone who's gone most of the day, like say more than 4 hours at a time?

If you're someone that's seldom home, that doesn't necessarily preclude you from adopting a puppy. What it does mean is that you'll have to hire a dog sitter.

You'll need to find someone who is willing to play frisbee with your puppy and keep him occuppied. Considering the breed you plan to adopt is critical. Every breed has distinct characteristics.

Would you prefer a female or a male puppy? Another good question to ask yourself is what precipitated your wanting to adopt a puppy? Were you lonely?

Have your kids been pestering you for months now and you're finally worn down and feel you have to give in? Those are not necessarily good grounds for adopting a puppy! There's lots more to think about than how cute and cuddly the puppy is.

Do You Have the Time and Patience For Adopting a Puppy

Puppies are just little kids. Adopting a puppy is a mega responsibility. It takes lots of love and tons of patience. When training a puppy there's no room for impatience at all. In the process of training, there will always be accidents. For instance, when crate training or housebreaking your dog, she may pee on the floor.

If you don't have the patience to deal with a dog, then don't get one. In addition to lots of patience, you'll need to spend lots of time with your puppy.

What is your work schedule like? Are you anti-social? It's better to be honest with yourself about who you really are. No sense making the puppy suffer because you didn't self reflect before going to the dog pound or breeder.

Can You Provide the Mental and Physical Stimulation a Puppy Needs

This goes back to whether you have the time and patience that goes along with adopting a puppy. Puppies need to be with their peers in order to become well adjusted. This kind of socialization will provide mental and physical stimulation.

During around 8-11 weeks, dogs like to try and dominate each other, as a test of their power. Dogs love to play fight with each other to test their prowess! Do you like to exercise yourself? Can you see yourself going to the park and playing frisbee with your adopted puppy? Are you lazy? Again, to thine own self be true!

Have You Owned a Dog Before

I remember when I adopted Lily. I didn't think it through thoroughly. So I went to a shelter and got my first puppy. She was 11 weeks old. I thought it was going to be a cinch. Boy, was I wrong. First of all, there's the vet bills, which are quite expensive.

Then, I had to learn that dogs, like people, have personalities. You have to know the breed you're getting so that you can understand their temperment and decide if it's a match for your personality. Luckily for me, Lily was the perfect match.

Still, that didn't solve the dog training problems I had.

Is Your Home or Apartment Big Enough

If you live in a cramped space, you and your dog could be at each other's throat. Again, having a dog is like being in a relationship! Each person needs their space.

To Mix or Not to Mix?

Okay. I have issues with people labeling mixed breeds as "mutts." As if somehow "purebred" dogs are better quality dogs. Not so! Still, supposedly they say if you get a pure breed, you're less likely to have problems. Nonsense.

What I will say is that a "pure breed" puppy will have both mental and physical traits that are unique to its particular breed. Whereas, if you have a mixed breed, you're unlikely to know which character traits it will have.

In the end, a dog's personality depends on the environment in which it was raised. Where does the puppy come from? You need to know the answer to this as well.

Where Does the Puppy Come from

Last, but not least, where are you adopting a puppy from? Are you getting her from a shelter? Are you getting her from a breeder? Again, some people think adopting a puppy from a breeder is better than adopting one from a shelter.

Some breeders are clueless and feed their pups unhealthy food. They also may train them to have poor habits. Some breeders are known to have unsanitary housing conditions.

On the other hand, lots of shelter dogs are very healthy and well adjusted. They may have come from homes that were loving and well trained. The only reason why they ended up in a shelter was perhaps because they weren't able to afford the pet anymore, or, they could have moved to a place where pets weren't allowed.

In conclusion, before adopting a puppy, avoid making the 7 biggest mistakes most would-be dog owners make and later regret!