People often prioritize a doggo’s appearance when picking up a new puppy. Sure, they might be the most perfect pup you think you’ve ever seen, but are they the right dog for you and your lifestyle?
There are a number of things you have to consider when purchasing a new doggo, so before you go buying food, reading pet insurance reviews, and, of course, buying a new dog, read this blog on mistakes to avoid when picking up a new pup.
Don’t allow aesthetics to override other important factors
Regardless of whether you’re purchasing a rescue dog or one from a respected breeder, you should never allow yourself to buy a dog based solely on how adorable it is. This is the exact reason why many rescue centers and breeders won’t allow families to pre-select their new doggo before taking it home.
The dog may look perfect from their photo, but there is the potential that they are not right for your family. Litters come with a number of dogs and a number of different personalities – they begin to develop at around seven weeks of age. People should select dogs once they’ve reached around the seven-week mark, as these personalities are starting to come forward.
So, instead of focusing solely on how cute they are, consider the following elements before taking your new puppy home.
The purpose & quality of the breeding
This is absolutely vital when taking home a new dog. Ensure the breeder offers a health guarantee and has conducted relevant genetic testing before selling to you. You should always avoid online pet retailers and pet stores that will ship a dog to you without seeing them, as you should always be able to see the puppy, and at least one of their parents, in the raising process.
Next, you need to understand the purpose of the dog’s breeding, especially if you’re looking at working dogs. There’s a big difference in energy, drive, mental/physical stimulation between different kinds of dogs, so be sure you are picking the right type of dog for your family. If your puppy is coming from a foster home, it is best to meet one of the dog’s parents when possible. Ensure that the dog is doing early neural stimulation.
The first eight weeks of the dog’s life are not in your control, so you have to be discerning about who you are purchasing the pup from and what their purpose in the home will be!
How engaged is the puppy?
When you have the chance to meet an individual puppy or a litter, the level of engagement you get from the doggo is important to understand how they will be when you bring them home.
Although it can be a good idea to get a professional to help you choose a new pup, it’s most important to try your own instincts regarding the dog and whether you think it’s right for your family.
Other behaviors to look out for with a potential puppy include:
- Freezing up or cowering when petted
- Hiding or running away when approached
- Growling or barking at the first sight of a person
- Refusing food when approached by someone new
- Fixation on tugging or biting at clothes, pants, hands – some is okay – but if it is all the dog wants to do there may be a problem
- Constantly wanting to play rough with their siblings despite the slings’ attempts to minimize their play
While we want to choose dogs based on looks alone, it’s important to remember the above information so that you get the right one for your family!
