Are You Really Ready For A Puppy?

What a puppy is not..

* A PUPPY IS NOT A TOY

A puppy is a living being who has a need for love and proper care the rest of his life. He/she needs to be fed often while young. And a young puppy is especially vulnerable to broken bones and other injuries from careless treatment.

* A PUPPY IS NOT A TEACHING AID

A puppy should not be obtained to instill a sense of responsibility in children. It is unfair to place an animal's entire well-being in the hands of children. Feeding, grooming, housebreaking and discipline training of an animal should be the principal responsibilities of adults. Responsibility training of children is better left for household tasks, where a helpless animal's needs are not at stake.

* A PUPPY IS NOT CHEAP

The purchase price or adoption fee for a pet is a mere pittance compared to the cost of veterinary care for routine and emergency treatment over the dog's life, as well as licensing fees and damage to personal property, which is bound to occur.

* A PUPPY IS NOT A GIFT OR A SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT COMMITMENT (OR SHOULDN'T BE)

Animal shelters and pounds are overrun with dogs who were acquired for the wrong reasons or without sufficient investigation or personal commitment.

* A PUPPY IS NOT SELF-CLEANING

Dogs can neither groom themselves nor clean up after themselves (accidents, shedding), and therefore, impose additional workload in a household.

* A PUPPY IS NOT AN ADULT DOG

Having neither the physical nor the mental abilities of an adult dog, a puppy cannot wait long periods of time before relieving himself/herself, differentiate between what is a toy and what isn't nor distinguish between digestible and dangerous objects. They require patience, understanding and supervision just as with human infants and young children. A puppy doesn't mature into an adult dog for at least 2 years. If you work and don't have time for training and play, get an older dog.

* A PUPPY IS NOT A PUPPY FOREVER

But they need your love and care forever. Be sure that you understand the near-term and life-long commitment involved *before* succumbing to the charms of a cute, little puppy.

From the Project Breed Rescue Directory, P.O. Box 15888, Chevy Chase, MD, 20825-5888.

I Am Your Puppy

I am your Puppy, and I will love you until the end of the Earth,
but please know a few things about me.

I am a Puppy, this means that my intelligence and capacity
for learning are the same as an 8-month-old child.

I am a Puppy; I will chew EVERYTHING
I can get my teeth on.
This is how I explore and learn about the world.

Even HUMAN children put things in their mouths.
It's up to you to guide me to what is mine to
chew and what is not.

I am a Puppy; I cannot hold my bladder
for longer than 1 - 2 hours. I cannot "feel"
that I need to poop until it is actually
beginning to come out.

I cannot vocalize nor tell you that I
need to go, and I cannot have
"bladder and bowel control" until 6 - 9 months.

Do not punish me if you have not
let me out for 3 hours and I tinkle.
It is your fault. As a Puppy, it is wise to
remember that I NEED to go potty after:
eating, sleeping, playing, drinking, and
around every 2 - 3 hours in addition.
If you want me to sleep through the night,
then do not give me water after 7 or 8 p.m.

A crate will help me learn to housebreak
easier, and will avoid you being mad at me.
I am a Puppy, accidents WILL happen, please be
patient with me! In time I will learn.

I am a Puppy, I like to play.
I will run around, and chase imaginary monsters,
and chase your feet
and your toes and 'attack' you, and chase
fuzzballs, other pets, and small kids.
It is play; it's what I do.

Do not be mad at me or expect
me to be sedate, mellow and sleep all day.
If my high energy level is too much for you,
maybe you could consider an older rescue from a
shelter or Rescue group.

My play is beneficial, use your
wisdom to guide me in my play with appropriate
toys, and activities like chasing
a rolling ball, or gentle tug games, or
plenty of chew toys for me.

If I nip you too hard, talk to me
in "dog talk," by giving a loud YELP, I will
usually get the message, as this is how dogs
communicate with one another. If I get
too rough, simply ignore me for a
few moments, or put me in my crate with
an appropriate chew toy.

I am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings
and drives much like your own,
but yet also very different.
Although I am NOT a human in a dog suit, neither
am I an unfeeling robot who can
instantly obey your every whim.
I truly DO want to please you, and be
a part of your family, and your life. You got me (I hope)
because you want a loving partner and
companion, so do not relegate me to the
backyard when I get bigger.

Do not judge me harshly but instead
mold me with gentleness and
guidelines and training into the kind of family
member you want me to be.

I am a Puppy and I am not perfect, and I know you
are not perfect either. I love you anyway.

So please, learn all you can about
training, and puppy behaviors and caring for me
from your Veterinarian, books on dog
care and even researching on the computer!
Learn about my particular breed and
it's characteristics, it will give you
understanding and insight into WHY I do
all the things I do. Please teach me with
love, patience, the right way to
behave and socialize me with training in a
puppy class or obedience class, we
will BOTH have a lot of fun together.

I am a Puppy and I want more than
anything to love you, to be with you, and to
please you. Won't you please take time to
understand how I work? We are the same
you and I, in that we both feel
hunger, pain, thirst, discomfort, fear, but
yet we are also very different and must work
to understand one another's language, body
signals, wants and needs. Someday I will
be a handsome dog, hopefully one you
can be proud of and one that you
will love as much as I love you.
Love,
Your Puppy

Author unknown

I Love My Dog Contract

Loveyourdog.com

How To Love Your Dog© http://loveyourdog.com

I, _____________________ , promise to take care of my dog, ________________ , during his/her whole lifetime. I will teach my dog to trust me by treating him with love and respect. I will be kind, gentle, and generous to my dog at all times. I will be responsible for providing him with the things that he needs to be healthy and happy. I am making this commitment to my dog.

I will give food and water to my dog in a clean dish everyday.
I will make sure my dog has shelter from hot, cold, and wet weather.
I will make sure my dog sees a veterinarian for shots and checkups.
I will provide a collar and ID tag for my dog to wear at all times.
I will keep my dog from running loose in the neighborhood.
I will make sure my dog gets obedience training so he behaves well.
I will keep my dog clean and brushed and lookin' good!
I will spend time everyday with my dog playing, or going for a walk.
I will always protect my dog from people or things that might hurt him.

Your Signature_______________________________ Date____________________