5 Things you should know about puppies

So you think you know puppies and what it takes to raise one? Tim Falk investigates the five things every prospective pet owner should be aware of before introducing a puppy to their family.

Everyone loves puppies, and often all it takes is just one look at an adorable little bundle of fur to know that he or she will make the perfect addition to your family. But before you decide to take that gorgeous puppy home, it’s important you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.

Owning a dog is a huge commitment and if you’ve never had a puppy before, you could be in for a surprise or two in the weeks and months to come. Let’s take a look at some of the common puppy quirks and characteristics that every prospective dog owner should be aware of before they get a new pup.

1. They need to be trained
   Training is not just something you can choose to do for your puppy if you feel like it — every pup needs to be trained.
2. They can’t just be left in the backyard
   While puppies can be adorably cute and cuddly, they can also be hard work. They’re not just possessions you can show off to your friends every now and again but just leave in your backyard and forget about the rest of the time.
3. They need help going to sleep
   Getting your puppy to sleep well at night is a common challenge for new pet owners. If you assume that your puppy will simply settle into his new home straight away and drop off to sleep each night whenever you tell him to, you could be in for a nasty surprise.
4. They lose their baby teeth
   Did you know that puppies have a set of baby (deciduous) teeth just like we do? Born without teeth, dogs’ baby teeth start to erupt at around two weeks of age.
5. They require a longterm commitment
   You will hopefully have heard this undeniable truth about dogs before, but the overwhelming number of pets that end up in Australian animal shelters every year means it’s worth repeating.
   

This article was originally published in DOGSLife #141. Click here to subscribe to our pawsome magazine.

Posted in Dogs News, Life with Dogs

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