Are you prepared for a puppy? Answer the following questions.
Are you prepared to…
1) Take full responsibility for this dog and all its needs for the next 8 – 15 years? Your children can not do this!
2) Invest the considerable time, money and patience it takes to train the dog to be a good companion? (This does not happen by itself)
3) Always keep the dog safe; no running loose, riding in the back of an open pickup truck or being chained outside?
4) Make sure the dog gets enough attention and exercise?
5) Live with shedding and high activity for the next 10-15 years?
6) Spend the money it takes to provide proper veterinary care including but certainly not limited to: vaccines, heartworm testing and preventative, spaying or neutering and annual check ups?
7) Become educated about the proper care of the breed, correct training methods and how to groom?
8) Keep the breeder informed and up to date on the dog’s accomplishments and problems?
9) Ask your breeder or other appropriate professinoals before the issue become out of hand?
10) Have the patience to accept (and enjoy) the trials of puppyhood, which can last for five years, and each stage afterward?
11) Continue to accept responsibility for the dog despite inevitable life changes such as new babies, kids going off to school, moving or returning to work?
12) Resist impulse buying; instead, have the patience to make a responsible choice?
If you answered yes to ALL of the above you are ready to start to get a puppy. Remember, the right puppy or adult dog is worth waiting for.
