You’ve been promising your kids a puppy for a year, explaining that they had to wait until you moved into a house with a yard. Well, you moved last week, and now they’re holding you to your promise—they want a puppy, and they want it now!
However, getting a puppy is not something you or your family should rush into. It’s a decision that must be carefully considered, as making the wrong choice can negatively affect both your family and that little ball of fur everyone is dreaming about. Consider how you want to raise the pup, what type of dog works best for your family, whether you’ll buy from a breeder or adopt from a shelter, and the long-term impact a dog can have on your household.
The responsibility of raising the family dog falls squarely on the parents. Yes, the kids may enjoy playing with the pup and should be involved in training, but no matter their age, most kids don’t have the level of commitment required to raise a happy, well-trained dog. And why should they? They are kids, after all! It’s important that the children have a hand in choosing and raising the pup, but it’s not realistic to expect them to do all the work.
Do You Have the Time for a Puppy?
Be honest with yourself: do you have time to raise a pup? It involves getting up earlier to take the dog for a walk before work and school, a walk in the evening, feeding schedules, sleepless nights, weekly obedience classes, and the ongoing struggle of housetraining. If you live near work, coming home for lunch can help reduce messes by providing some midday exercise and a bathroom break. If you can’t come home, be prepared for messes, a hyperactive and bored puppy, and an evening spent tiring them out so you can sleep at least part of the night.
The first few months are usually the hardest, so choose a time of year when school, work, and social commitments are lighter. Bringing the pup home at the beginning of summer, when the kids are on holiday, has the advantage of good weather and fewer distractions, making it easier for the kids to help raise the pup.
Choosing the right breed is crucial for a smooth adjustment to life with your new furry family member. Consider the dog’s size, exercise needs, grooming requirements, and temperament to ensure a good fit with your lifestyle. Many people fall for the looks of a breed without considering whether it’s a good family pet, how much exercise it needs, how large it will grow, or whether it’s good with children other than their own. Labrador Retrievers are currently the most popular breed for families, but they’re large dogs—can your four-year-old handle a rambunctious seventy-pound pup running around the house?
There are good dog breeders, average ones, and breeders who see it as a business, focusing more on income than the health and well-being of the dogs. It’s important to do research and talk to people within the breed to find reputable breeders. Visit dog shows to see the various breeds in person; most participants are happy to talk to genuinely interested people and will answer any questions you have. Ask them who the reputable breeders are, and they’ll gladly point you in the right direction.
Adopting a puppy from a shelter is another great option. Shelters are always looking for good homes and are eager to work with first-time dog owners. Shelter dogs are often mixed breeds, which can be healthier than purebred dogs. However, the lack of a known ancestry can lead to some surprises—such as not knowing how big the dog will get, what natural instincts it may exhibit, or what traits it will have. When kids are involved, it’s especially important to consider things like whether the pup has any Border Collie in it, as their herding instinct might make them nip at the ankles of running children.
Bringing a puppy into the family will change the dynamics, usually for the better, but it’s important to consider the long-term effects as well. If your family travels overseas often, owning a dog means arranging for kenneling when you’re away, whereas camping, boating, and road trips can be great for many dog breeds. For a busy family that’s rarely home, a dog can become an unwanted frustration, with everyone fighting over who’s responsible for staying home to care for it. Also, consider the expected lifespan of the breed and how that might positively or negatively affect the family. These are all small things to think about, but they’re important. Planning for these potential challenges ahead of time can help minimize conflict as the years go by.
For many families, adding a puppy is a wonderful experience that everyone will enjoy and appreciate in their own way over time. However, it’s essential to do your research and discuss the various factors before bringing a pup home, ensuring that it’s the right decision for your family.
