Owning And Caring For A Dog- Don’t Get Sticker Shock

There is no doubt that dogs make great pets. But if you’re thinking about getting a dog, you should be prepared for the fact that owning and caring for a dog can be very expensive. There are more than a few expenses, with the cost of purchasing him just the beginning.

If you choose a pure-bred, the actual outlay for the dog will vary. Certain breeds are just more expensive than others. A pure-bred dog that comes “with papers” will be more expensive, than a pure-bred without papers. Of course, if you intend to enter your pet in shows, registration papers are a must.

Even a mixed breed dog may have some cost attached, depending on what mix he is and where you get him. Certainly, pet store puppies and dogs purchased from a breeder will cost more than a dog you adopt.

Aside from the purchase price, there are other one-time expenses you may incur at some point in your dog’s life. Some expenses are unavoidable. Others are optional. Keep in mind that some of the optional expenses will make life with your new pet more enjoyable and less stressful for both of you.

One of the first things you should do is to bring your new pet to the vet for an initial exam. You can perhaps do this when you bring your puppy in for his vaccinations. He will require a series of these initially. You will also want to look into tail docking and ear cropping if necessary. Later on you will have to decide whether or not to get your dog neutered or spayed.

Some owners opt to having their pet tattooed for identification. There is even pet insurance available to help cover expenses incurred through injury or illness.

Additionally, you may wish to purchase a crate or gate for your doorway to restrict your new dog’s run of the house. Although some dog owners shudder when thinking about putting their puppy in a crate, there are benefits. Crates provide a feeling of security for puppies and they are useful in house training.

An optional but important purchase is a comfortable bed for your new pet. You can use a dog bed to work on some routines with him as soon as he arrives. If you want to keep him from climbing up on your furniture or your bed, he needs a bed to call his own.

Unless you know a lot about how to properly train a dog, you might want to enroll him in a training program or invest in a training guide and take on the training yourself. All things being equal, a well trained dog is a lot easier to have around than one who isn’t.

There are a number of other expenses to think about as well. You may need to hire a professional to keep your dog in a kennel temporarily, or to clip and groom your pet.

For dogs that spend time outdoors, a good sized dog run or better yet a fenced yard are important. Keeping a dog chained up when he’s outside for extended periods of time will only lead to problems.

If you have plans to show your dog or you just want to find out more about the breed, there are several good magazines available. Or you may want to consider joining a kennel club. If you do enter your pet in shows, there will be entry fees as well as travel expenses.

There are also going to be on-going expenses involved with owning and caring for a dog. These include food, license, leashes and collars, yearly check-ups and vaccinations, heartworm test and medication, flea control, toys, treats, dog bed, and grooming supplies.

The list goes on and on, doesn’t it? You may or may not incur these expenses depending on lots of factors and circumstances. Realistically, it’s safe to say that owning and caring for a dog is expensive. It’s better to be prepared before you go out looking for a dog. Because once you spot that special puppy, it will be hard to resist him.

After introducing your new puppy to his new home, he will be ready for a snooze. Why not provide him with a cozy heated dog bed. for inside. Even in summer, he’ll find his bed a warm spot in an air conditioned home. For outside, help him keep cool with a coolaroo dog bed. Coolaroo dog beds sit off the ground allowing for air flow underneath.