First Time Puppy Owners:

First Time Puppy Owners:  I feel moved to speak to you about this new adventure you're considering. Being a puppy parent is similar to having a first human child in that you are clueless to what's ahead of you. Especially if all you have is fond memories of a childhood dog someone else trained and cared for.

You have no idea when your first child is born that you have the capacity to love so deeply, so unselfishly. Just so, when you decide to become a puppy parent for the first time, you don't realize how much of a companion a dog can be, how loving and loyal, how much company they are, how deep the bond can become between a person and an animal. And you also don't realize the commitment of time and money and patience, the vulnerability and potential heartache and downright work you are taking on.

While that may be a blessing in some ways, you had better make sure you are up to the task going in.  Because whether that puppy reaches his or her full potential depends on what happens along the way. Not to apply more pressure, but you need to do some reading, some research, if you haven't already, and put some thought into how you are going to adjust your household and your schedule to an 8 -week-old puppy with a very small bladder capacity. Plus puppy proofing your house as if for an infant. Making sure there are no poisonous flowers in your yard. Finding a vet.

Come up with plans for socializing your puppy during a relatively short time period, much of which your pup cannot be put on the ground where other dogs have been because of the risk of disease. I've read and heard estimates that say your puppy must meet 100, before 3 months of age. And those people better be all shapes, sizes, colors, and at least two genders, with some in wheelchairs and anything else you want your dog to see in life and not freak out about down the road.

Don't think for a minute that you can put your puppy in a box and come home from work 8 or 10 hours later to pick up where you left off. These are social creatures. They need to be with people. That said, working people can have a dog in their lives too-- that's where the planning comes in. In a two person household, can one go in early and leave early, can one come home for lunch, is there family nearby, and can you find a reliable neighbor and/or dog walker? Is there a good doggie daycare in your area? This can be a great help in socializing after vaccinations are complete and giving pup an outlet for all that energy. (A tired pup is a good pup while a bored dog is a destructive dog.) You can figure this out, do some strategic thinking.

While the work is definitely front-loaded with a puppy, your family will reap the benefits for years to come. I'm not going to tell you it will be easy. But I will tell you it will be worth it. That dog will pay you back in love and loyalty and companionship so much more than you put in.

Sheryl

PS  Every kid should have a dog, don't you think?