Things To Consider Before Getting a Puppy

Financial considerations to take into account before getting a pup or a dog

Scotty Valadao - Canine Behaviour Consultant (ABC of SA) ; TTouch Pract
www.fods.co.za

As much as we may want to take on a dog or a puppy, at this stage in time, with costs continually increasing, and the vast difference in the Rand from other currencies which often affects the products we use for our dogs, we really need to seriously consider whether or not we can afford a pup or dog before making the final decision.

The very last thing anybody wants, is to have to surrender the dog due to lack of funds, or to comprise the dogs health due to poor quality food, unable to pay vet bills etc.

Here are some points to take into consideration:-

If you decide on a breeder, can you afford to buy a dog from a reputable KUSA registered breeder? These dogs will cost a lot more than those found in other places, with good reason.

Who will exercise the dog? As we all know, a dog needs regular exercise, not just from the physical point of view but for mental stimulation as well. If you are unable too, you may have to bring in the services of a dog walker - how much will this cost?
If it is a breed that will need to taken to a parlour for trimming, this needs to be considered, and you should check with the parlour before hand as to how much this will cost. Additionally, ask and how often will it need to be done. An additional expense is the cost of the products needed if you are washing the dog yourself at home.
Who is going to be at home to look after and supervise the puppy?You can’t just leave a puppy unsupervised when it first comes home. Somebody has to supervise same and perhaps you will be looking at puppy day care for the first few months.
Who will take charge of house/toilet training, to ensure that your dog learns where to eliminate requires dedication and consistency. If you are leaving your pup for any length of time in a puppy playpen, you will need to take into account the cost of puppy pads for the pup to eliminate on.
What about feeding - A puppy requires feeding 3 to 4 times a day and when matures, twice a day. Just like humans, what you put in your mouth will affect your health and with a puppy (especially the giant breeds), it is crucial to ensure that you give the very best quality you can afford for at least 18 months. Good quality dog food, sold at vets, up-market pet shops or good quality raw feeding, is, for obvious reasons, much more expensive than brands bought elsewhere. However, what people do not always reason is that this expense results in lower vet bills due to better health, longer life, less or no ‘ rear end smells’ (flatulence) and much less dog poop in the garden. When feeding a good quality food you will actually end up feeding your dog less quantity.
Bring in the cost of a micro-chip as well in the event your pet does get lost, the chances of getting it back are considerably better, as if your dog ends up at a vet, shelter etc, the first thing that will be done, is to check for the presence of a micro chip.
Don't forget the annual vaccinations to protect your dog against the various dog diseases such as Parvo, Distemper, Kennel Cough etc. On top of this remember that your dog will need to be sterilized.

With the cost of vets bills nowadays, once simply has to consider going onto a Pet Medical Insurance Plan. Pet medical insurance products are contracts of short-term insurance (not medical aids) designed to cover the unexpected, unforeseen and fortuitous veterinary fees/expenses/costs that cats and dogs kept as household pets in South Africa may incur as the result of illness or injury.

No Limit Pet Medical Insurance. Ensure you don't get caught out by not having enough insurance to cover your pets accident or illness. Have a look at our website to see which option would suit you best.

It is important to do a comparison (we have supplied you with a form for comparision and questions to ask) on what they offer, especially the limits that are imposed, as they are not always realistic when compared to what procedures cost.

Also what needs to be taken into account is the licences, the micro chips, shampoo, deworming, flea and tic products etc. Equipment is another expense - pups grow and you will have to buy additional equipment until the pup if fully grown where collars, harnesses are concerned, and dont forget about feed bowls etc.

If you are going to crate train, can you afford the crate? The price of crates has increased a lot over the last 5 years. A crate is a wonderful investment. Not only does it help to have pups easily and quickly toilet trained, a pup can be taught to spend time in its crate chewing which will save the furniture from sharp little teeth and it teaches the dog to settle down. A crate is never a place of punishment or where a pup/dog is locked up in. It is a place of safety.
What is the cost of puppy socialization? All pups should be exposed to a good puppy socialization class. This we would not consider as a cost, rather an investment! As these normally occur on a Saturday morning or afternoon, who is going to give up that time to take the pup and to do the exercises that are taught and the additional socializing?

What is the cost of further obedience training and who will take the dog? Although this is not an absolute necessity, especially if the dog is well socialized within the family and on walks and this is maintained on a regular basis, it should be taken into account and a good idea to consider.
Will the dog be boarded if you go on holiday, or perhaps the services of a house sitter are obtained, what are the costs of this? All of these options cost money.

We are not trying to put off people getting dogs. We really believe, that every family should have at least one dog, but being realistic about what to expect, and what it can cost is something every potential dog owner should think about rather than ‘emotional purchasing’ of a cute pup.

If you raise a pup properly, you will create a happy, well behaved member of your family that will bring you years of joy – if you don’t; you are facing the possibility of re-homing or even having the dog euthanized - please think long term before you buy.

The following are some thoughts which will hopefully be of some use to two different groups of people: breeders wishing to place their puppies in the best possible homes, and also for helping puppy buyers when selecting their new pet.

Many people would be shocked to think of a pup wearing a muzzle! Not at all - it is so easy to gently desensitize a pup to wearing one in a positive manner. If the pup ever needs to use one at the vet, then it will not be an added stressor to any procedure the pup may have to undergo.

Right, you have decided that Pet Med Insurance will help you to guarantee that you can provide your pet with the care it may need - now here is how you can easily compare one scheme to another and questions to ask.