8 Tips for Buying a Pet Dog In 2022

Adopting a pet became a major household trend during the pandemic. In fact, 1 in 5 American households adopted a new dog or cat since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Are you thinking of buying a pet dog for your home? Make sure that you’re fully informed before you take the plunge into puppy love. Read on to learn everything you need to know to prepare your new furry family member!

1. Decide if Buying a Pet Dog Is Right for You

Dogs are a joyful addition to life, but they aren’t right for every person. The first thing you need to do is have an honest self-evaluation about whether buying a pet dog is appropriate for your lifestyle. 

Dogs need a lot of attention, and they aren’t ideal for someone who works long hours and has to travel for work frequently. One workaround, however, is hiring a dog sitter and dog walker to help take care of your dog while you’re away. If you can handle the added expense that comes with that, then you can move forward with your search.

2. Research Dog Breeds

There are tons of dog breeds to choose from, and each has its own unique personality traits. They also have different physical characteristics when it comes to things like shedding, drooling, size, and activity level. When searching for a dog, you should search based on personality traits rather than appearance to determine which dog works best for you.

For example, German shorthaired pointers are gorgeous dogs, but they have a ton of energy. You should only adopt one if you have the time and space to allow them to exercise and work as much as necessary. If you’d prefer a low-energy dog, then look into getting a basset hound, bulldog, or cavalier king charles.

3. Adoption Versus Breeders

There’s a lot of tension between buying a dog from a breeder and adopting a rescue puppy. They both have their pros and cons, though. 

Buying from a reputable, responsible breeder is great for people who are buying their dog for a purpose, such as for hunting or to use as a service animal. You’ll have a chance to get to know the puppy’s parents and they often come with a temperament guarantee, two important factors when it comes to relying on a dog for important tasks.

Choosing to find dogs for adoption is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a companion or who is interested in ethical pet buying. You’ll be helping give a dog a second chance at a great life. The only downside is you don’t always know where they came from or how their previous life impacted their temperament.

4. Puppies Versus Adult Dogs

One of the biggest decisions adopters face when choosing their rescue dog is whether to adopt an adult dog or a puppy. 

Puppies are a tremendously popular option because, well, they’re so darn cute. They’re also a handful, though. Young puppies need to go out every couple of hours, and they can be highly destructive until they reach maturity, so you’ll have to stay on top of training and manners.

Adult dogs have had time to outgrow their wild puppy energy, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t picked up some bad habits or fears along the way. Adopting an adult dog is often a bit of a mixed bag because of the baggage they come with, but in most cases, they can and will adjust well to their new home and rules.

5. Find a Vet Before You Bring Your Rescue Dog Home

One of the first things you’ll want to do when you bring your new dog home is to take them to the vet for a checkup. This means you need to take the time to search for a reputable veterinarian before you go pick up your new furry family member. Your vet will ensure they’re up to take on shots and send them home with flea, tick, and heartworm preventative.

6. Prep Your Home for Fido’s Arrival

You’ve picked out your dog, you’ve set a vet appointment, and you know when your new puppy is coming home. Now all that’s left to do is to make sure that your home is set up for them!

Stock your home with dog food, treats, chews, and toys. Don’t forget to purchase food and water dishes and a comfy bed for your dog to lie on. If you’re planning on crate training your dog, you also need a crate and potty pads.

7. Take a Few Days Off to Help Your Pup Adjust

Bringing a new pet home is stressful, especially for the pet. The last thing you want to do is to bring the dog home and then head straight to work the next day.

Instead, consider taking a couple of vacation days to help them adjust to being in your home. You can practice leaving the dog alone for short periods of time and then rewarding the dog with treats and love when you get home. This helps ease separation anxiety and keeps your home in good shape, too!

8. Bond Over Doggie Manners Classes

Want to make sure your dog is super polite and well-behaved? Want to create an incredible bond between you and your dog?

The best thing you can do to accomplish these goals is to enroll your dog in a doggie manners class. If you aren’t sure about which one to choose, ask your vet for recommendations.

Are You Ready to Bring a New Dog Home?!

When it comes to buying a pet dog, you have a lot of different options. The route you take ultimately depends upon the goals you have for the dog you’re adopting.

If you’re looking for a dog to help you hunt, then buying from a reputable and responsible breeder might be the best way to go. If you’re looking for a new loved one, then adopting a pet is a great option. No matter whether you buy or adopt, be sure to prep your home for their arrival, and you’ll have a long and happy relationship!

Are you interested in more great info about everything from pets to home and health? Check out the rest of our blog to stay informed!