Lets face it, when you see those big round eyes looking up at you it’s almost impossible to say no!

If I was able to, I would have SO many dogs because I just fall in love with every puppy I see! But, getting a puppy isn’t always as rainbow and butterflies as it may appear. There are LOTS of things to consider before you bring home that new bundle of joy. From evaluating your current life situation to ensuring you can financially afford to care for an animal. There’s more to puppies than meets the adorable eyes.

We are going to dive into some of the key things to consider and have prepared PRIOR to you taking the leap and bringing in your new family member.

How do you even find a puppy?

There are so many resources out there to help you find your new best friend. One of the first things you should consider is adopting from your local shelter or animal rescue service! So many amazing dogs go without a home because of their past situation, or are overlooked because of where they are currently. If you are in the Treasure Valley of Idaho, there are multiple options to explore!

• Idaho Humane Society
• Meridian Canine Rescue
• Lake Lowell Animal Rescue
• West Valley Humane Society
• Boise Bully Breed Rescue

Say you’ve checked shelters and rescues but your heart is set on finding a specific breed, from a reputable breeder. Responsible breeders do play an important role in maintaining specific breed standards and ensuring quality healthy lines are preserved.

That being said, there is an unfortunate trend that has long been around, backyard breeding. Now this can be a sensitive topic, so I wont be diving too into it right now.

When you are looking for a puppy, here are a few things to consider in your search:

• How long has this individual been breeding dogs?
• Does this individual breed a specific breed, or are they breeding “cocktails” of popular mixes that don’t have consistency across each litter?
• Is this breeder known by veterinarians in the area? (It is crucially important when evaluating a breeder that they vet check and health test the parents of the litter, and then the puppies of said litter. If they do not, I would consider that a big red flag regarding the ethics of this breeder.)
• How many litters as the dam had? (Many un-ethical breeders will over breed a dam, and that is a big red flag.)
• Are the dam and sire of the litter on-site so you can meet them and see what their temperaments are like?
• Does the breeder have copies of all of the vet records for the puppies?
• Does the breeder require a signed contract?
• How much does the breeder socialize the puppies? This can include people, textures, sounds, smells, etc.
• Does the breeder have a wait list for puppies or are they rehoming with little or no interest from individuals?

These are just some of the things you should be asking yourself and the breeder of your potential puppy.

You’ve found the one! Now what?

Congrats! You have done your research, you’ve evaluated your current life situation and have deemed that you can responsibly care for a new member of your family! Now comes the fun part, bringing your new pup into your home.

It is very important that when you get a new pup, or any animal for that matter, that you follow the 3, 3, 3, rule. It will take 3 days for your new pup to get more comfortable in their new environment. It will take 3 weeks, for your pup to really get used to you and your routine. And then in 3 months, it’ll feel like they’ve always been there!

So many people get a puppy and don’t allow it enough time to get used to it’s new life! It’s a change for you the human, and it’s a change for the pup as well. So keep that in mind when you second guess your decision if things aren’t going smooth right off the bat.

When you bring your new pup home here are some things that you should have prepped and ready for their arrival:

• Kennel for training and giving them their safe place
• Food and Water bowls
• High quality puppy food
• Lots of toys with different textures, sounds and colors. (You’ll have to find what toys they like the most!)
• Collar and a leash
• Identification tag with your contact info
• An appointment scheduled with your veterinarian to get your pup all checked out, microchipped, and on time with their shots!
• A plan set in place for feeding time, potty time routine, and training time. (It’s always a great idea to get your pup training right when they come home. If you haven’t, reach out to a local trainer to get you started on the right path!)

Be patient, and have fun!

Bringing a puppy into your life is one of the best experiences ever. It will absolutely have its challenges, but if you are prepared and have a plan, the transition for both you and your pup can go just great!

Do your research, really evaluate your current situation, and remember that a dog is a lifetime commitment!