9 Things to Know Before Getting a Puppy
Post Date:
July 20, 2024
(Date Last Modified: November 13, 2025)
Bringing a puppy into your household requires planning across daily life, finances, and long-term care. Consider practical needs like time, training, health, and where the animal will come from before deciding.
Commitment & lifespan
Expect the average companion dog to live about 10–15 years, with smaller breeds often living longer and larger breeds sometimes shorter due to breed-specific factors [1].
Routine geriatric care typically increases as a dog ages and many adult and senior dogs are seen by veterinarians 2–3 times per year for monitoring and chronic-condition management [1].
Plan household routines: many owners find puppies require concentrated supervision during waking hours and structured breaks totaling roughly 8–10 hours of active care each day when accounting for feeding, training, and bathroom breaks [2].
Discuss caregiving responsibilities in advance so that feeding, walking, training, and veterinary visits are covered if work, travel, or health changes occur.
- Primary and secondary caregivers identified
- Daily schedule for feeds, walks, and training
- Vacation and emergency care plan
- Space and time availability checked
Costs (initial and ongoing)
Initial outlays for adoption or purchase and starter supplies commonly range from around $300 to $2,000 depending on source and breed [3].
Ongoing monthly expenses for food, routine preventive medications, grooming, and basic boarding or daycare commonly average $50–$200 per month depending on size and services chosen [2].
When weighing pet insurance versus an emergency fund, consider that emergency visits and surgeries can cost in the thousands in some cases and that insurance premiums vary by age, breed, and coverage level [3].
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption/purchase | $50–$2,000 [3] | Rescue fees vs. breeder prices vary widely |
| Initial supplies (crate, bed, basic toys) | $100–$500 [3] | Quality affects longevity |
| Spay/neuter & core vaccines | $200–$600 [3] | Costs differ by clinic and region |
| Monthly food & preventives | $40–$150/month [2] | Size and diet quality influence cost |
Choosing breed, size & age
Size at maturity drives space and exercise needs: small dogs often weigh under 20 lb, medium dogs 20–50 lb, and large breeds commonly exceed 50 lb at adulthood [3].
Temperament and energy requirements vary by breed and individual; breeds selected for high energy typically need more daily exercise and structured activity to avoid problem behaviors.
Breed-specific health issues and grooming needs should influence selection; some breeds require frequent coat care and others have known predispositions to orthopedic or cardiac conditions that affect lifetime costs and care.
Adopting an adult dog can reduce the early intensive training demands associated with puppies, while puppies provide a larger window for socialization and early learning.
Time, training & socialization
Begin consistent basic training and socialization early: targeted socialization is most effective during the 3–14 week window of life, when controlled positive exposures help build confidence [4].
Housetraining often follows a predictable pattern where puppies will need bathroom breaks approximately every 1–2 hours at first, with intervals gradually lengthening as control improves [4].
Crate training and short, consistent sessions of obedience work help establish boundaries; many trainers recommend starting basic cue work as soon as the puppy is comfortable with the household routine.
Manage teething with appropriate chew toys and supervised redirection; bite inhibition is taught through calm withdrawal of attention and positive reinforcement of gentle play.
Health care & preventive medicine
Core vaccine protocols generally begin at about 6–8 weeks of age and are repeated every 3–4 weeks until a series is complete, often around 16 weeks of age, with follow-up boosters per your veterinarian’s schedule [5].
Intestinal parasite control commonly involves deworming protocols in early puppyhood and regular fecal checks; many practitioners recommend initial deworming at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks for puppies depending on risk and results [1].
Monthly parasite preventives for fleas, ticks, and heartworm are standard in many regions and reduce the risk of vector-borne disease and infestation [1].
Discuss spay/neuter timing and any hereditary screening relevant to your chosen breed with your veterinarian so you can plan surgery and long-term health testing appropriately.
Home environment & safety
Puppy-proofing reduces accidental injuries from common household hazards such as electrical cords, household chemicals, and toxic plants; remove or secure items that can be chewed or ingested.
Use a crate or safe-zone to provide a secure rest area; crate size should allow the dog to stand and turn comfortably and should be selected based on adult size predictions [3].
Secure fencing is important for outdoor safety; many owners aim for at least 4–6 feet of fence height for small-to-medium active dogs and higher for breeds prone to jumping or climbing [3].
Keep a basic pet first-aid kit and an evacuation plan that includes carriers, food, and medical records in case of emergencies.
Essential supplies & gear
Start with a complete puppy-appropriate diet, a sturdy water bowl and a separate food bowl, and consult feeding guidelines on the food label or with your veterinarian for portioning by weight; many puppies move through several feeding amounts as they grow [2].
Use a well-fitting collar or harness, a secure leash, and ID tags; microchipping is a durable form of identification and should be registered to current contact information.
Select age-appropriate toys for chewing and enrichment, a properly sized crate, grooming supplies tailored to coat type, and enzymatic cleaners for accident cleanup to support training.
Prioritize safe products: avoid toys with small removable parts, choose crash-tested travel crates when transporting, and follow manufacturer sizing and weight recommendations.
Lifestyle & family compatibility
Match expected daily exercise: many adult dogs benefit from 30–60 minutes of activity per day, though some working or sporting breeds require substantially more [2].
Households with children or elderly members should plan supervised interactions, clear boundaries, and education on safe handling to reduce risk of injury and stress for both people and dog.
When introducing a puppy to resident pets, carry out slow, staged meetings over days to weeks and monitor body language closely to support a gradual integration plan [4].
Consider work schedules, travel frequency, and whether daycare, dog-walking services, or a reliable sitter will be used to meet the dog’s physical and social needs.
Adoption sources, breeder vetting & legal responsibilities
Shelters and rescues typically provide vaccinations, initial health screening, and behavior assessments prior to adoption; ask for the puppy’s medical records and known history.
When evaluating breeders, request clear health documentation, a written contract, and allow visits to breeding facilities; responsible breeders will be transparent about genetic testing and multi-generation health history.
Microchipping and local licensing help reunification and demonstrate legal compliance; many municipalities require dog licensing on an annual or multiyear basis and have leash laws enforced locally [3].
Confirm rehoming policies and available post-adoption support from the shelter or breeder in case circumstances change.
Continue building confidence about where to source a puppy and what legal and practical records to expect, focusing on verification, contracts, and post-adoption support.
Adoption sources, breeder vetting & legal responsibilities (continued)
Licensed commercial breeders in the United States who sell animals across state lines or operate as a kennel may be subject to the Animal Welfare Act; the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires licensing and inspection for entities that house seven or more breeding females for the purpose of selling puppies, so verify whether a seller is subject to federal licensing if that threshold applies [6].
Responsible breeders will supply health documentation for the puppy and its parents; ask for copies of current vaccination and parasite-treatment records plus clearances for hereditary conditions relevant to the breed, and request pedigrees or test results covering at least two generations when available [7].
Shelters and rescues commonly include an adoption agreement and may offer a defined return or trial period; typical trial windows range from about 7 to 14 days to ensure the match and allow basic veterinary checks, so confirm the exact terms, any refundable portions of the fee, and what follow-up support is provided [8].
Contracts from breeders or sellers should be written and include: the puppy’s health records, a disclosure of any known hereditary issues, a clear return or replacement policy, and a statement about ownership transfer; keep originals and scan copies for your records and future veterinary visits.
Microchipping is a one-time implant procedure that greatly improves reunion chances; ensure the chip is registered and that you update contact information promptly because registry searches are frequently how lost pets are reunited with owners [3].
Ask any prospective source for documentation of the puppy’s current veterinarian checks and for written assurance about the age at separation from the dam; many animal welfare groups recommend puppies stay with their mother until at least 8 weeks of age to support behavioral and immune development, so verify the breeder’s or shelter’s timeline [7].
Check local legal obligations: municipal licensing typically requires a current rabies certificate and an annual or multiyear license tag; licensing fees commonly fall in the low tens of dollars per year, and having registration in place reduces fines and speeds return if a dog is impounded [3].
Beware of common red flags when evaluating breeders or sellers: lack of written records, pressure to complete a sale without allowing inspection, multiple litters available year-round from the same location, and inability or refusal to provide references or allow a site visit. Responsible breeders will willingly provide veterinary references, permit visits where animals live, and have a clear contract including a health guarantee.
For transportation and interstate movement, verify any state-level health certificates or testing requirements in advance; some states require current rabies vaccination certificates and may require additional testing for certain diseases when animals cross state lines, so plan documentation before travel [6].
When adopting from a nonprofit or municipal shelter, ask about post-adoption support such as behavior hotlines, return policies, and whether the organization offers or subsidizes low-cost spay/neuter or follow-up vaccinations; many shelters provide limited-term support to improve long-term outcomes after placement [8].
Document retention matters: keep vaccination records, deworming logs, microchip registration details, spay/neuter certificates, and any genetic testing results in a secure digital file so you can share accurate history with future veterinarians or new caregivers.
If dissatisfaction or health problems arise after transfer, start by contacting the seller or shelter and review the written contract; many reputable sources will accept a return or offer partial refunds within their stated trial period and may provide a written plan for resolving health issues discovered soon after adoption.
