You can have everything you need in your life but still, feel like something is missing. If you’re feeling a void of loneliness in your life that you just can’t seem to shake off, then it’s probably time for you to get yourself a furry friend. Getting a puppy is like having a child that never grows up. Dogs are intelligent and loyal, and they are truly incomparable when it comes to companionship. But before you go ahead and get your first pup, you must be aware of what the cost will be, especially for the first year, as this is where the majority of care and expenses come in.
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Puppy Proofing the House
Before introducing the newest member of the family and bringing them into their new home, it’s extremely important that you ensure your home is puppy-proofed. You’ll need to make a few one-time investments to do this properly. If you live in a home with two levels, have steps anywhere, or want to have rooms where they don’t venture into, you need to get a few gates installed around the house. Make sure that any sharp corners at the pup’s level are covered, and put away any hazardous sharp objects or anything that they can swallow. It’s also a good idea to get rid of carpeting, at least until they are potty trained.
You’ll need to go shopping for cleaning products in case there are any accidents. Invest in trash cans with secure lids on them, and put all the medication in your house away in a place where you’re sure the dog won’t be able to access it. Don’t forget about your outdoor area as well- you need to stop using fertilizer with chemicals and pesticides. Ensure that your fence is secure, and keep an eye out for specific bugs that could harm your pup. Lastly, have an electrician come in to hide and cover any loose or exposed wiring because this can be extremely dangerous for the pup.
Adopt or Shop
This decision is really entirely up to you. It can depend on the kind of dog you want as well. If there is a particular breed that you’re after, then you might have to go down the shopping route, and they might cost you quite a bit. The great thing is that there are actually services available that offer loans specifically for buying dogs. The information we found at www.puppylending.com talks about how it doesn’t matter what your credit score is because these lenders are flexible. This can be really useful if you’ve found the dog of your dreams but don’t have the exact amount at that moment.
Vaccinations
The first year, you’ll be paying more visits to the vet than you generally will after that. This is because you’ll have to get certain vaccines, and medication is given to your pup, and there’s also the question of whether you’re going to have them neutered, which is also a one-time cost. If you don’t, then at some point, they’re going to want to mate, and then you’re dealing with heat or pregnancy issues, so this needs to be kept as another part of the puppy budget. Keep in mind that the first year will always cost more than the remainder of their lives- simply because they’re still growing and developing, and specific issues need to be taken care of.
Grooming
When you first get the puppy, the vet should tell you what you need to do to keep it clean and healthy. You can either opt to take care of the grooming yourself or have a grooming service take care of it for you. Either way, you need to think about expenses in both cases and see which works better for you and the puppy. It’s advisable that in the first year, you have a professional do it while you observe to learn how to do it properly. Later on, you can invest in the necessary products and grooming items, cut costs and do it yourself.
Training
The sooner you start with training the puppy, the better. Training will be an added expense but only in the first year because it shouldn’t take more than a couple of months for your pup to get adequately trained. The aim is to be able to communicate with your dog, so make sure you look around before committing to a trainer because you need to make sure that it’s someone reliable and knows what they’re doing.
All of the factors mentioned here are expenses that you’re going to need to keep in mind for the first year in particular. Exact numbers will really depend on the services you use and where you live. You need to factor in things like food and toys as well. Having a puppy is a beautiful thing, and it’s definitely worth every penny spent on them.
