Som så många andra fick jag en pandemivalp under covid-19-låsningen. Även om det utan tvekan var det bästa beslutet i mitt liv, finns det några saker jag önskar att jag hade vetat innan jag skaffade en hund:
Att undersöka hundraser innan du väljer valp kan vara till hjälp. Olika raser har olika temperament, träningskrav, storleksbegränsningar etc. När du tar hand om en valp är det din uppgift att se till att alla dessa behov är tillfredsställda , så att lära sig om dem i förväg kan säkerställa att du matchas med en perfekt passform för dig och din familj.
Börja med att titta på ditt liv och bedöma hur mycket tid, energi, utrymme och pengar du realistiskt kan ägna åt ditt husdjur. Till exempel, om du inte är någon som tycker om att träna med din hund, kommer du förmodligen att vilja undvika mycket aktiva raser som behöver bränna mycket energi varje dag. Om du har en begränsad hundbudget bör du veta att valpfoder för stora raser vanligtvis kostar mycket mer än att mata en hund som är mindre i storlek.
Jag bor i en liten lägenhet, så när jag bestämde mig för att rädda en valp visste jag att jag behövde välja en som skulle nöja sig med att bo i ett trångt utrymme utan en trädgård. Jag var lite nervös när jag hörde att de trodde att Zoey var en chihuahua-blandning, eftersom jag visste att dessa hundar ofta är utsatta för beteendestörningar. Men efter att ha vårdat henne tillbaka till hälsan, svävade hon snabbt förbi standardstorleken på en Chihuahua.
Baserat på hennes utseende tänkte jag att hon måste har lite labrador retriever i sitt DNA - en ras med hög förekomst av höftledsdysplasi. Kostnaden för att behandla höftledsdysplasi hos hundar kan vara ganska dyr, så jag bestämde mig för att testa hennes DNA för att se om det fanns några markörer för detta ärftliga tillstånd och budgeten i enlighet därmed.
Jag hade tur - hennes genetiska makeup innehöll inte hundraser med vanliga hälsoproblem. Andra husdjursföräldrar, särskilt de med renrasiga, är inte lika lyckliga och slutar spendera mycket mer pengar på kostnader för veterinärbesök. Min vän, till exempel, fick också en pandemivalp och var tvungen att spendera över $6 000 hos veterinären under de första sex månaderna av att äga sin nya franska bulldog.
Fyllda av nyfikenhet men saknar kroppsmedvetenhet, hand-öga-koordination och husträningsetikett, valpar är mästare på att hitta saker att tugga i sig, slå ner, kissa på eller krypa under . Det här kan onekligen vara irriterande - oavsett hur sött deras "skyldiga ansikte" är - men att valpsäkra din plats kan hjälpa dig att undvika den där enstaka huvudvärken.
Att lära sig att valpsäkra huset besparar dig inte bara från en och annan frustration, utan hjälper också till att skydda ditt nya husdjurs hälsa och säkerhet. Det finns oändliga faror för valpar runt huset som du kanske inte ens anser vara farliga, och många vanliga olyckor hos valpar kan helt och hållet förebyggas med lite proaktiv planering.
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 the time. 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.
