Should You Get a Puppy?

Time

• Walking: A puppy should be walked 5–7 times per day for at least 5–10 minutes per walk.
• Feeding: Puppies should be fed three or four times a day until they’re six months old, and twice or three times a day thereafter. Each feeding session usually takes about five minutes.
• Playing: You should expect to spend several hours a day playing with your puppy during his first few weeks. Playing strengthens your bond with the puppy and also provides him with much-needed socialization.
• Grooming: All puppies need to be brushed; the amount and frequency of brushing depends on the breed.
• Vet visits: The number of vet visits your puppy needs will depend on his age and overall condition. Most healthy puppies that are 7–8 weeks old (the youngest age at which a puppy should be brought home) require 2–3 vet visits, each of which lasts about an hour, not including transportation time.

Expenses

First-Year Costs

• Spaying or neutering ($75–125)
• Crate or carrier ($30–100)
• Training classes ($60–120)

Ongoing Costs (Per Year)

• Food ($160–350)
• Grooming equipment ($25–30)
• Leashes ($15–25)
• Collars ($10–20)
• Toys, treats, bully sticks ($60–150)
• Annual vet checkup ($150–200)
• Other medical expenses ($150–200)
• Professional grooming ($100–400)
• Ownership license and registration ($15)

Commitment

• Does your residence or neighborhood allow dogs? Many apartment, condo, and co-op communities don’t allow dogs, and those that do often limit the number of dogs that are allowed in each home.
• Can your home be made safe for a puppy? If you intend to let your puppy off his leash in your yard, it’s important that you fence the area first. This will prohibit him from leaving the property and also prevent unwelcome animals or wildlife (such as adult dogs and coyotes) from approaching it. Indoors, you’ll have to puppy-proof the parts of your home that could pose a danger to puppies, such as staircases and balconies.
• Can you take time off from work? Your puppy’s first few weeks at home are a crucial time during which you help him get used to your household, begin housetraining, and bond. You’ll need to take off at least a few days initially, or ideally a week or more, to make sure that this process goes smoothly.
• Do you work more than eight hours per day? If so, you’ll need to hire a sitter to visit your puppy at least once a day. Sitters do more than just walk your puppy; they also give him food, water, and attention, and help enforce your housetraining regimen.
• Do you have young children? Generally, it’s not a good idea to get a puppy until your children are at least six years old. If your children are over six, make sure that you learn which breeds are best suited to interacting with them. (For guidance on breeds and children, see The 20 Most Popular Puppy Breeds.)
• Is anyone in your home allergic to dogs? Allergies are one of the most common reasons that owners surrender their dogs to animal shelters. If you’re unsure of whether you or your family members might be allergic, schedule an in-person visit with the puppy you’re considering to see whether allergic reactions develop. If someone in your household is allergic, you might still be able to get a puppy: several popular breeds, such as poodles and Chihuahuas, are much less allergenic than other breeds.
• Do you have expensive furniture? Puppies are very active and accident-prone, especially during their first few months at home. That means you should expect your puppy to chew on furniture, “dig” into carpets, and have occasional toilet accidents throughout your home. Though you can curb these behaviors with effective training, there’s no way to eliminate them completely. If you’re not ready to face the prospect of ruined furniture and the general messiness of puppy ownership, consider either putting off getting a puppy or adopting a trained adult dog from an animal shelter or rescue group.

Fostering a Puppy