Come tanti altri, ho avuto un cucciolo pandemico durante il blocco del COVID-19. Sebbene sia stata senza dubbio la decisione migliore della mia vita, ci sono alcune cose che avrei voluto sapere prima di prendere un cane:
La ricerca sulle razze canine prima di scegliere un cucciolo può essere utile. Razze diverse hanno temperamenti, requisiti di esercizio, restrizioni di taglia diversi, ecc. Quando ti prendi cura di un cucciolo, il tuo compito è assicurarti che tutte queste esigenze siano soddisfatte , quindi conoscerli in anticipo può assicurarti un'ottima vestibilità per te e la tua famiglia.
Inizia osservando la tua vita e valutando quanto tempo, energia, spazio e denaro puoi realisticamente dedicare al tuo animale domestico. Ad esempio, se non sei una persona a cui piace fare esercizio con il tuo cane, probabilmente vorrai allontanarti da razze altamente attive che hanno bisogno di bruciare molta energia ogni giorno. Se hai un budget limitato per cani, dovresti sapere che il cibo per cuccioli di taglia grande di solito costa molto di più che nutrire un cane di taglia più piccola.
Vivo in un piccolo appartamento, quindi quando ho deciso di salvare un cucciolo, sapevo che dovevo sceglierne uno che si accontentasse di vivere in uno spazio ristretto senza cortile. Ero un po' nervoso quando ho sentito che credevano che Zoey fosse una razza mista di Chihuahua, poiché sapevo che questi cani sono spesso inclini a disturbi comportamentali. Ma dopo averla curata di nuovo in salute, ha rapidamente superato le dimensioni standard di un Chihuahua.
In base al suo aspetto, ho pensato che dovesse ha del Labrador Retriever nel suo DNA, una razza con un'alta prevalenza di displasia dell'anca. Il costo del trattamento della displasia dell'anca nei cani può essere piuttosto elevato, quindi ho deciso di testare il suo DNA per vedere se c'erano marcatori per questa condizione ereditaria e budget di conseguenza, in caso affermativo.
Sono stato fortunato:il suo corredo genetico non conteneva razze di cani con problemi di salute comuni. Altri genitori di animali domestici, in particolare quelli di razza, non sono così fortunati e finiscono per spendere molti più soldi per i costi delle visite veterinarie. Anche la mia amica, ad esempio, ha avuto un cucciolo pandemico e ha dovuto spendere oltre $ 6.000 dal veterinario durante i primi sei mesi in cui ha posseduto il suo nuovo Bulldog francese.
Pieni di curiosità ma privi di consapevolezza corporea, coordinazione occhio-mano e etichetta per l'allenamento domestico, i cuccioli sono maestri nel trovare cose da masticare, abbattere, fare pipì o strisciare sotto . Questo può essere innegabilmente fastidioso, non importa quanto sia carina la loro "faccia colpevole", ma rendere il tuo posto a prova di cucciolo può aiutarti a evitare quei mal di testa occasionali.
Imparare a rendere la casa a prova di cucciolo non solo ti risparmia la frustrazione occasionale, ma aiuta anche a proteggere la salute e la sicurezza del tuo nuovo animale domestico. Ci sono infiniti rischi per i cuccioli in casa che potresti anche non considerare pericolosi e molti incidenti comuni nei cuccioli sono del tutto prevenibili con un po' di pianificazione proattiva.
Start by scanning each area of your home from a “puppy perspective. ” Get on all fours to see your puppy’s point of view, what’s accessible, and what might be tempting just outside of their reach. Secure anything fragile, conceal all exposed cables, and remove everything unsafe to avoid taking your pet to the emergency room.
Many people, including myself, know that socializing a puppy — or introducing them to new experiences in a positive, constructivre way — is critical because a lack of socialization can increase the risk of behavioral problems , such as aggression, fear, and anxiety.
However, I had no idea how quickly the ideal window for puppy socialization closes. Though our four-legged friends continue to process and make meaning of the big, wide world throughout their entire life, they form key associations with specific places, people, and things most strongly between three- and 16-weeks old .
I was under the impression that I couldn’t help Zoey integrate and acclimate to her environment until she received all of her puppy vaccinations. Now I know that’s not necessarily the case; puppies can begin socializing after their first deworming and round of shots (though it’s best to avoid public places where you can’t confirm dogs’ vaccination status until your puppy is fully immunized ).
I could (and should) have enrolled her into puppy training classes at a much younger age where she could learn obedience and interact with other pups. I also could have tried to cross off more experiences on the puppy socialization checklist by taking precautions against communicable diseases like parvo in puppies. Some examples might include bringing her more places in a pet carrier from where she could safely watch and observe, or pushing her in a grocery cart lined with a blanket to expose her to more people, sounds, and objects with wheels.
There are a few things Zoey never encountered before her first birthday, so we’ll need to work a little harder to overcome her discomfort around those things so she can become a calm, confident dog. As it stands, people using walkers or wheelchairs, as well as men with very long beards trigger a fear response and make her uneasy.
If you want a well-trained dog, it’ll require effort, patience, and discipline on your part, too — not just your puppy’s or their trainer’s. Zoey is a studio-trained dog who does occasional production work in Los Angeles, and though she may be the star of the show, I have to dedicate a ton of time to working with her everyday.
You can’t just send them to puppy school and expect them to retain everything unless you make them repeatedly model the desired behaviors. Once you establish rules and boundaries, do your best to stick to them , at least until your puppy is mature enough to understand appropriate etiquette.
If they’re not allowed to eat human food, don’t slide them an occasional scrap. Not allowed on the couch or bed? Then resist the occasional temptation to invite them up for a snuggle. Doing so might confuse your dog by telling them it’s okay sometimes , but not all il tempo. Make your commands clear and consistent, and if there are others in the house, ask that they also reinforce the rules.
Dedicate time to obedience training everyday to shape your puppy’s desired behaviors. Three five-minute sessions are most effective to prevent burnout while maximizing knowledge retention, but don’t forget to give them lots of love and playtime in between for all their hard work.
Even though the cost of adopting a puppy is significantly cheaper than buying one from a breeder, I was still very underprepared for just how expensive becoming a pet parent would be.
Between the cost of vet visits to get Zoey back in good health, to the price of her professional dog training program, essential puppy supplies, plus all the toys and treats I spoil her with, I easily spent over $2,000 in the first year alone. For a dog about her size, cumulative care costs throughout her entire life are estimated to amount to approximately $15,782 or more.
Fortunately, my pet insurance plan helped offset the appointments at her primary care vet by reimbursing me 80% of the bill after I paid my $200 deductible. I also got reimbursed $250 for the cost of spaying my puppy through the wellness plan I added onto my policy’s coverage. I’m lucky that I never had to take my pet to the emergency room, though, because unexpected vet visits are where the money can really add up fast , often costing more than $5,000 for a single hospitalization.
Like most other pet parents, I don’t happen to have that kind of money set aside in case anything were to happen to Zoey. I couldn’t fathom the possibility of not being able to provide her the critical, potentially life-saving care she might need one day simply because I couldn’t afford it.
That’s why I gladly pay a few bucks a month toward her pet insurance premium. It gives me peace of mind knowing that if my dog got hit by a car or had a bad injury, the most I would have to pay is $200 before my pet insurance coverage kicks in to help pay 80% vet bill . Depending on the plan you choose, your deductible could even be as low as $0, or your reimbursement rate could be as much as 100%.
My dog is my best friend and I would spare no expense to make sure she’s happy and healthy, but being financially protected relieves a great deal of stress. And since I used Pawlicy Advisor to buy pet insurance, I know that I’m enrolled in a great plan at the best guaranteed price.
See if pet insurance is worth it for your situation, then get a free quote and enroll online in a matter of minutes. You can also head over to the blog to read additional dog care tips or learn more about how pet insurance works.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, “Puppy Socialization,” Accessed March 25, 2022.
American Kennel Club, “How Much Will You Spend on Your Dog in His Lifetime?” Accessed March 25, 2022.
