The Cost of a Puppy

So, you are looking to bring home a new addition to your family? As you google how to be prepared you find a slu of checklists and resources. As you begin to create your “puppy” budget you realize---

Wow this isn’t going to be cheap. You begin to feel overwhelmed with the thought of adoption/purchase fees, vet cots, food costs, toys, leash, collar, crate, and all the things in between. Today, we want to debunk and help you create what is necessary, what is recommended, and what can wait when you bring home your pup. 

Many times we see new dog owners focus on material items, showering their new companion with gifts, toys, blankets, beds, and love, but we also see a disconnect in items that are essential for a great start; and even further a lifetime of happiness. Think about a baby shower, for my moms out there, you most likely got A LOT of fun cute and adorable items at your baby shower- but lacked items that you wish you would have been showered with. For example, we shower moms with cute outfits, blankets, stuffies, adorable socks/shoes, and truly useless items. Imagine if you brought your newborn home and didn’t have diapers, wipes, bottles; you know the items you NEED! But thank goodness you got those cute outfits that your little one is already too big for, lol. 

Now imagine you bring your puppy home- what are the essentials? Essential is something that you will use within the first 24 hours of your puppy being home. 

-Crate

-Leash

-Collar

-Puppy Food

-Food and water dish

-Ex-pen

-First Vet appointment set up

-Training Facility picked

-Chew bone

Yep- that is ALL you will need for the first 24-48 hours. I am sure you are all sitting there thinking, ummmm you forgot a comfy bed for them to sleep on, and tennis balls, treats, various leashes and harnesses, toys, and multiple puppy stuffies (in case they don’t like one, they should have multiple). Sadly, and it sounds heartbreaking, but these are not items you need in the immediate future. So, let’s break it down in better terms. 

Crate: A crate is essential not only because “it’s what you are supposed to do” as many feel pressured to use a crate or are completely against them, but for safety, health, potty training and to start your relationship off on the right foot. Crate training is a skill that has become a bad training tool because we have humanized our dogs. How many of you would say, “I feel bad”, “but I am home”, “I don’t believe in cages”, ect? Okay, okay- but do you not put your newborn in a crib or pack and play? AHHHH HAAAAA--- yes you do and why do we- to keep them safe! The fact that one has a top and the other doesn’t is irrelevant. Both a crate and a crib keep your “child” safe, confined, and out of harm’s way. We have had many puppies that have had emergency surgeries due to lack of boundaries and having the freedom to roam---and when a puppy has freedom nothing good can come from that. We offer crate training tips and lesson specific to your dog LOVING their crate, but this is not about just the crate. 

Leash & Collar: At some point in your dog’s life you plan to take them on walks. Begin allowing your dog to get use to wearing a collar and letting them drag a leash around the house (we touch on why leash dragging is important in our next blog- puppy behaviors). This is also a HUGE safety and potty training essential! Your puppy for their first month (or more) should ALWAYS be on a leash unless they are in their crate. 

Food and dishes: this is self explained- You do want to have dishes that are not self feeding. 

Ex-Pen: This allows you to have your pup with you and near you- but again confined safe and it also assists with potty training. Remember the more freedom you give- the more trouble a puppy or newly adopted dog will do, and they WILL take advantage of this opportunity to free roam. 

Vet Appointment: Many vets recommend doing an initial appointment within the first 24 hours to week of brining your pup home. Vet appointments are even more important for them to have positive experiences and begin fear-free exams as early as possible. This also allows you to have a health check and follow up on any lingering vaccines.

Training Facility: Training should be the second priority when you determine you are bringing a pup home. We will touch on this more later. The first is having your first vet appointment scheduled. 

Chew Bone: Yes, that is right a chew bon- one that can be washed easily, they won’t shred, and allows your puppy to work on those puppy teeth and not chew on you!

Okay, so you have questions, you are concerned, and want to know why you may have been steered wrong? We typically spend $1,000-$2,000 within the first week of bringing home a pup, but much of that is spent on unnecessary items. Puppies and dogs in general do not NEED a comfy bed, those stuffy toys that they can easily shred and digest, those 6 different collars and leashes, blankets and yes, that coat you thought would look cute on them.

You have made it through your first 48 hours, now what. Now let’s talk about toys. You want to find a toy that will be useful, and you can interact with them as you train. Take into consideration the breed of dog you have also- are they soft mouthed, a chewer, chaser, fetch, shredder? This will help determine the best toy. Resources such as beds and toys are earned through good behavior- if you have a puppy that chews, let’s face it ALL puppies chew, hold out on that expensive bed, choose a pig’s ear over the adorable stuffed unicorn. On average a pet owner will spend over $500 on beds and toys within the first month of owning their dog due to the dog destroying them. That is a BIG BILL! Not to mention if you have a dog that may chew/shred and potential eat said bed/toys; that could result in a trip to the vet as well. Let’s take that money and apply to other costs that you may not see as a material item but will ease your pocket in the long run.

Vet Appointments: For a puppy you will most likely see your vet 4-6 times within your first year together. This will include initial visits, vaccines, exams, health checks, routine bloodwork, and any other healthy related need. Some owners request to have x-rays performed and further testing done to ensure the dogs health is top notch. 

Training: Yes, that is correct, training. This doesn’t just mean you enroll in a puppy class for six weeks expect perfection and quit training or stop after “graduating”. It doesn’t mean you enroll because “it is what I am supposed to do with a puppy”. It also doesn’t mean going on google and YouTube to “self train”, because this isn’t just another dog. This new addition is not your past pup. It means commit to a lifelong journey of learning and growing together with your dog through training and adventure. Enrolling with a professional facility means working on your relationship together as a team and not ignoring and expecting you and your puppy to be pre-programmed. 

Monthly Preventative: Did you know it is best and recommended to keep your pet on preventative care year-round? The myth that you can stop in the winter may cost you come winter when you find fleas, parasites, and ticks on your pup, finding yourself at your vet with an unwanted vet bill. Parasites, fleas, and ticks can survive in cold temperatures, specially with the winters we experience; spring one day winter the next. Fleas and ticks seek warmth when it does get colder, what better home than your dog that lives in a warm home! Please consult your vet for what they recommend using for monthly preventative. 

Spay/Neuter: No matter the age at which you determine you will neuter your new companion; you still need to consider the cost. For those rescuers that have this already taken care of, whew…thank goodness. Again, there is much controversy as to when you should do this procedure. As this is not a blog on this topic, we recommend discussing this with your vet as well as your trainer to ensure it is not being done too soon. 

Grooming: Dependent on the breed of you new companion- there is always some type of grooming need. This may range from at home grooming such as nail trimming and baths- to a full groom with a bath, haircut, blowout, and brush. Be sure you KNOW your dog’s needs when it comes to grooming. There are many breeds that SHOULD NOT be shaven just as there are breeds that need routine grooming in order to be happy, healthy, and well-kept. Consult your trainer, vet, or local groomer for further recommendations on this.

So why are we writing about this? Because we see a HUGE disconnect when it comes to preparing for a new companion or the aftermath when the needs of the dog versus the wants of the owner are confused. When you begin to prep for a new companion training should be one of the TOP priorities for you to enroll in. No matter the age of the dog- they are new to you and you are new to them. Yes, there is this amazing thing called google and YouTube- but let us shed some light- those are videos that put you and your dog in a cookie cutter world. But you and your dog are unique, and we all learn at different paces with different approaches. A class, private lesson, consult…it is real, it is raw, it is in person, and more important it is the experience of speaking to a professional that has worked with far more dogs and breeds than you have with the experience and expertise to help you. They will address your individual needs and goals. Training with a professional allows you to understand yourself as the owner and the dog in front of you. No book, google search, YouTube video, or neighbor that “can quick fix that” will give you the experience a professional can give you. Check out our- Let’s Meet Your Trainer blog on how to find and pick the right trainer for you and your companion. The reality is that you must like your trainer for training to work. 

Now it is time to get that notebook and pen out…breakdown your new dog’s needs and your wants, create a budget and begin your journey together!

We will be sharing building a relationship in our blogs to come.