Have you ever wondered what it would be like to adopt a dog? Perhaps you have always dreamed of having a dog in your life, and you are now financially and emotionally ready to welcome a furry companion into your home.
If you are at the stage in your life where you are considering adopting a dog or maybe a puppy, then you may want to take a moment to ponder over a few things.
Caring for a new dog is a huge undertaking and one that shouldn’t be a spare of the moment decision. For many people, having a dog enter their lives can be life-changing and for some, better than they ever dreamed of.
What is the difference between a dog and a puppy?
Puppies under the age of 18 months are considered puppies, therefore any dog that is nearly 2 years old and above is considered a fully matured dog.
There are many pros and cons with both life stages of a dog, some may be dealbreakers in your decision for adopting. There are fundamentals you will need to understand before taking that leap into puppy parenthood.
To start, make sure you are aware of the basic characteristics and behaviours found in puppies:
1. Puppies chew, tear and destroy things
Chewing and gnawing on certain objects can give puppies an immense sense of relief and can be very satisfying. They often suckle on things like blankets and soft toys for pleasure and for comfort. Consider learning a short online Puppy Training course, so you can identify ways to support good behaviours and discourage the harmful ones.
2. Puppies are not toilet trained
Similar to babies, puppies will defecate and urinate whenever and wherever. Therefore new puppy caregivers will need to be patient and apply the relevant potty training. Getting this right in the early months is essential, as the puppy will soon learn and with the right training, you will be able to prevent accidents from happening in the home. As a new carer of a puppy, you must know the Foundations of Dog Training, by studying certain techniques will help you overcome issues in the early months.
3. Puppies are prone to illnesses and accidents
One of the first things you should do when getting a pet puppy is to register at your local vets. Puppies are very clumsy and are prone to falling off things, eating things they shouldn’t and accidentally putting themselves in danger. Vet bills can be expensive and expect to pay more in the first year when you have a new puppy. That’s why studying something in Canine First aid is a great choice if you want to have the confidence to support your puppy when accidents occur.
4. Puppies do not have a natural sleep cycle
A common misconception of puppies is that they will sleep all the time. Like human babies, puppies in the early months can struggle to rest at night. You will need to be prepared to be woken up several times in the night by your puppy crying. A new home can be stressful for a puppy, and therefore it takes time for a puppy to adjust.
What are the fundamental behaviours of a ‘mature’ dog?
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1. Mature dogs may adapt quicker
In theory, dogs that are a bit older, will likely have been exposed to different experiences and should already feel comfortable with certain environments, people, and situations. However, there is no hard rule for dogs who are rescued or adopted. Their previous situation may contribute to negative behaviours and therefore every dog is unique and may require additional support and care. Studying a course on Canine Behaviour Problems or Reducing Stress will be really helpful for a dog carer who needs additional support in this area.
2. Dogs need adopting more than puppies
Puppies are more popular than their older cousins. That is because people tend to want the puppy experience over caring for a mature or senior dog. This means there are a lot of dogs (Currently estimated 40,000) dogs in the UK that are looking for a new home. With this number of dogs waiting in care, it brings a reasonable ethical question to the foreground. There are plenty of happy, healthy, and readily available dogs that need a home today. If you are passionate about Canine welfare, then you should consider adopting and rescuing a dog rather than buying a brand-new puppy from a breeder.
3. You can learn a lot from a dog
Dogs are companion animals. This means they have the ability to love and to be loyal to you. Having a dog in your life is very much like having a new member of your family. Every day will be unique and every day you will learn something new from one another. And above all, a dog will bring unconditional love, happiness and joy to you and your home. If this fascinates you then you should explore a course in canine behaviour such as the How Dogs Think and Learn course for beginners.
Finally, have you considered if a Dog would choose you?
Most dogs require a certain type of living arrangements, and so a key factor that should contribute to your decision should be where you live. Living in a high rise flat for example would be unsuitable for a large dog or certain dog breeds like Spaniels, as they have a lot of energy and need space to run around.
Living next to a busy road with heavy traffic, especially if it’s loud and disruptive, may not be a suitable environment for a dog, especially if you live somewhere away from greenery and parks.
Are you someone who is active and energetic? Do you like the outdoors and going for walks? These might be great qualities to have if you want to become a dog caregiver.
Not all dogs are in their prime health, and so, you may want to consider your personal resources, and patience to provide additional care. Especially if you are considering adopting a senior or Older dog – you may find yourself falling in love with a dog who has disabilities or an illness. Be prepared to sacrifice some of your time to take care of a dog and provide for their needs.
Dogs do not just need physical activities to be happy, they also need mental and emotional stimulation. Dogs are incredibly responsive to human behaviour and therefore they will constantly look to you for support, guidance and to battle boredom.
They may want to play, demand attention, or need help with something at inconvenient times of the day. So consider that bringing a dog into your life may disrupt all elements of your daily schedule. For those who love dogs, this is considered a joyful distraction and a life change they are willing to make.
Adopting a Dog in the UK
Make sure you do your research and find out more about dog adoption and how it works. There are some helpful and free resources online that can help you make the right decision.
Visit a well-known dog charities such as the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs Home for advice on dog adoption.
Also, check out your local kennels and rescue centres, some may not be as well known to you but there could be a dog waiting for adoption just around the corner! So it is always worth researching firsthand.
At Animal Courses Direct we provide training solutions for new pet owners and animal professionals all around the world. Visit our website for short accredited courses in canine care, behaviour and welfare.
Also, if you adore animals, you can keep track of all upcoming animal awareness days and events with our FREE calendar! Download it here.
