Comme tant d'autres, j'ai eu un chiot pandémique pendant le verrouillage du COVID-19. Bien que ce fut sans aucun doute la meilleure décision de ma vie, il y a certaines choses que j'aurais aimé savoir avant d'avoir un chien :
- Vous devriez rechercher les exigences de la race à l'avance
- Protéger votre logement n'est pas une blague
- Il n'est jamais trop tôt pour commencer à socialiser
- Vous devez aussi être discipliné
- La garde d'animaux de compagnie peut coûter VRAIMENT cher
1. Vous devriez rechercher les exigences de race à l'avance
Il peut être utile de faire des recherches sur les races de chiens avant de choisir un chiot. Différentes races ont des tempéraments différents, des exigences d'exercice, des restrictions de taille, etc. Lorsque vous vous occupez d'un chiot, c'est votre travail de vous assurer que tous ces besoins sont satisfaits , donc en apprendre à leur sujet à l'avance peut vous assurer d'être jumelé avec un excellent candidat pour vous et votre famille.
Commencez par examiner votre vie et évaluez combien de temps, d'énergie, d'espace et d'argent vous pouvez consacrer de manière réaliste à votre animal de compagnie. Par exemple, si vous n'aimez pas faire de l'exercice avec votre chien, vous voudrez probablement éviter les races très actives qui ont besoin de brûler beaucoup d'énergie chaque jour. Si vous avez un budget limité pour votre chien, sachez que la nourriture pour chiots de grande race coûte généralement beaucoup plus cher que de nourrir un chien de plus petite taille.
Je vis dans un petit appartement, alors quand j'ai décidé de sauver un chiot, je savais que je devais en choisir un qui se contenterait de vivre dans un espace confiné sans jardin. J'étais un peu nerveux quand j'ai entendu dire qu'ils pensaient que Zoey était une race mixte de Chihuahua, car je savais que ces chiens étaient souvent sujets à des troubles du comportement. Mais après l'avoir soignée, elle a rapidement dépassé la taille standard d'un Chihuahua.
D'après son apparence, j'ai pensé qu'elle devait avoir du Labrador Retriever dans son ADN - une race à forte prévalence de dysplasie de la hanche. Le coût du traitement de la dysplasie de la hanche chez le chien peut être assez élevé, j'ai donc décidé de tester son ADN pour voir s'il y avait des marqueurs de cette maladie héréditaire et établir un budget en conséquence, si c'est le cas.
J'ai eu de la chance - sa constitution génétique ne contenait pas de races de chiens ayant des problèmes de santé courants. D'autres parents d'animaux de compagnie, en particulier ceux qui ont des races pures, n'ont pas autant de chance et finissent par dépenser beaucoup plus d'argent en frais de visite chez le vétérinaire. Mon amie, par exemple, a également eu un chiot pandémique et a dû dépenser plus de 6 000 $ chez le vétérinaire au cours des six premiers mois de possession de son nouveau bouledogue français.
2. Protéger les chiots de votre maison n'est pas une blague
Remplis de curiosité mais manquant de conscience corporelle, de coordination œil-main et d'étiquette d'entraînement à la maison, les chiots sont passés maîtres dans l'art de trouver des choses à mâcher, renverser, uriner ou ramper dessous . Cela peut être indéniablement ennuyeux - peu importe à quel point leur "visage coupable" est mignon - mais protéger votre maison contre les chiots peut vous aider à éviter ces maux de tête occasionnels.
Apprendre à protéger la maison des chiots vous évite non seulement la frustration occasionnelle, mais aide également à protéger la santé et la sécurité de votre nouvel animal de compagnie. There are endless hazards for puppies around the house that you might not even consider dangerous, and many common accidents in puppies are entirely preventable with a little proactive planning.
Start by scanning each area of your home from a “puppy perspective. ” Get on all fours to see your puppy’s point of view, what’s accessible, and what might be tempting just outside of their reach. Secure anything fragile, conceal all exposed cables, and remove everything unsafe to avoid taking your pet to the emergency room.
3. It's Never Too Early To Start Socializing
Many people, including myself, know that socializing a puppy — or introducing them to new experiences in a positive, constructivre way — is critical because a lack of socialization can increase the risk of behavioral problems , such as aggression, fear, and anxiety.
However, I had no idea how quickly the ideal window for puppy socialization closes. Though our four-legged friends continue to process and make meaning of the big, wide world throughout their entire life, they form key associations with specific places, people, and things most strongly between three- and 16-weeks old .
I was under the impression that I couldn’t help Zoey integrate and acclimate to her environment until she received all of her puppy vaccinations. Now I know that’s not necessarily the case; puppies can begin socializing after their first deworming and round of shots (though it’s best to avoid public places where you can’t confirm dogs’ vaccination status until your puppy is fully immunized ).
I could (and should) have enrolled her into puppy training classes at a much younger age where she could learn obedience and interact with other pups. I also could have tried to cross off more experiences on the puppy socialization checklist by taking precautions against communicable diseases like parvo in puppies. Some examples might include bringing her more places in a pet carrier from where she could safely watch and observe, or pushing her in a grocery cart lined with a blanket to expose her to more people, sounds, and objects with wheels.
There are a few things Zoey never encountered before her first birthday, so we’ll need to work a little harder to overcome her discomfort around those things so she can become a calm, confident dog. As it stands, people using walkers or wheelchairs, as well as men with very long beards trigger a fear response and make her uneasy.
4. You Have To Be Disciplined, Too
If you want a well-trained dog, it’ll require effort, patience, and discipline on your part, too — not just your puppy’s or their trainer’s. Zoey is a studio-trained dog who does occasional production work in Los Angeles, and though she may be the star of the show, I have to dedicate a ton of time to working with her everyday.
You can’t just send them to puppy school and expect them to retain everything unless you make them repeatedly model the desired behaviors. Once you establish rules and boundaries, do your best to stick to them , at least until your puppy is mature enough to understand appropriate etiquette.
If they’re not allowed to eat human food, don’t slide them an occasional scrap. Not allowed on the couch or bed? Then resist the occasional temptation to invite them up for a snuggle. Doing so might confuse your dog by telling them it’s okay sometimes , but not all le temps. Make your commands clear and consistent, and if there are others in the house, ask that they also reinforce the rules.
Dedicate time to obedience training everyday to shape your puppy’s desired behaviors. Three five-minute sessions are most effective to prevent burnout while maximizing knowledge retention, but don’t forget to give them lots of love and playtime in between for all their hard work.
5. Puppy Parenting Can Get REALLY Expensive
Even though the cost of adopting a puppy is significantly cheaper than buying one from a breeder, I was still very underprepared for just how expensive becoming a pet parent would be.
Between the cost of vet visits to get Zoey back in good health, to the price of her professional dog training program, essential puppy supplies, plus all the toys and treats I spoil her with, I easily spent over $2,000 in the first year alone. For a dog about her size, cumulative care costs throughout her entire life are estimated to amount to approximately $15,782 or more.
Fortunately, my pet insurance plan helped offset the appointments at her primary care vet by reimbursing me 80% of the bill after I paid my $200 deductible. I also got reimbursed $250 for the cost of spaying my puppy through the wellness plan I added onto my policy’s coverage. I’m lucky that I never had to take my pet to the emergency room, though, because unexpected vet visits are where the money can really add up fast , often costing more than $5,000 for a single hospitalization.
Like most other pet parents, I don’t happen to have that kind of money set aside in case anything were to happen to Zoey. I couldn’t fathom the possibility of not being able to provide her the critical, potentially life-saving care she might need one day simply because I couldn’t afford it.
That’s why I gladly pay a few bucks a month toward her pet insurance premium. It gives me peace of mind knowing that if my dog got hit by a car or had a bad injury, the most I would have to pay is $200 before my pet insurance coverage kicks in to help pay 80% vet bill . Depending on the plan you choose, your deductible could even be as low as $0, or your reimbursement rate could be as much as 100%.
Final Thoughts
My dog is my best friend and I would spare no expense to make sure she’s happy and healthy, but being financially protected relieves a great deal of stress. And since I used Pawlicy Advisor to buy pet insurance, I know that I’m enrolled in a great plan at the best guaranteed price.
See if pet insurance is worth it for your situation, then get a free quote and enroll online in a matter of minutes. You can also head over to the blog to read additional dog care tips or learn more about how pet insurance works.
References
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American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, “Puppy Socialization,” Accessed March 25, 2022.
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American Kennel Club, “How Much Will You Spend on Your Dog in His Lifetime?” Accessed March 25, 2022.
