Buying a puppy?
Buying a puppy is a big decision and being a dog owner requires a lot of time, commitment and not least money. Therefore, it is important to think carefully before deciding to acquire a four-legged family member. In this article, we provide advice for those who are about to buy a puppy so that you can get a good idea of what to expect.
Table of contents
First of all: do you have time for a puppy?
Before you start looking at puppy ads, you should be absolutely sure that you and possibly the rest of your family actually have the time to take good care of a new family member. A dog will become a loyal and loved part of the family for many years to come, so it is important to think carefully about this choice.
Think about what your daily life looks like right now, but also what it might look like in the future. Do you have the time and capacity to give your dog the physical and mental stimulation it needs through daily walks and play? Do you have the necessary patience and execution skills to raise a dog the right way?
It is also important to think about what everyday life will be like if work or school does not allow you to take your dog with you. How will your dog get enough attention and care during the day when you are not home? It is important to be realistic and honest with yourself, no matter how tempting the thought of a puppy is.
If the answer is yes, we have the following advice:
Find out which breed suits you best
Before deciding to buy a puppy, you should research different dog breeds to find one that suits your lifestyle and personality. Some breeds require more training and exercise than others, while others are more suited to being indoors and having a calmer lifestyle. In our online store you can explore our dog breed library and read about the most popular dog breeds in Norway.
Choose a responsible breeder
Once you have decided on the breed you want, you need to find a responsible breeder. Check that the breeder has started socializing their puppies early and that the puppies have been exposed to different stimuli, sounds and people. The breeder should also be able to provide the medical history of the bitch and the male dog. Before you make the purchase, you need to make sure that the puppy is healthy and has received all the necessary vaccinations and worming. Ask to see the health certificate from the veterinarian and make sure that the puppy has received the necessary care and attention it needs.
When collecting from the breeder, it is also important that you bring:
- Certificate of registration and certificate of ownership
- Purchase contract
- Veterinary certificate no older than seven days for your puppy
- Vaccination certificate if the puppy is vaccinated
- Change of ownership form containing information about the dog and proof of identification with a chip or tattoo. This is sometimes submitted by the seller/breeder
Set up a financial calculation
Owning a dog costs money and it is important to be aware of all the costs before buying a puppy. In addition to the purchase of the puppy itself, you need to think about equipment, food, veterinary bills and other things that make up monthly expenses. For example, you need to expect that the dog will need regular vaccinations, worming and dental checks. It is also a good idea to take out insurance and the younger the puppy, the cheaper the deal will be.
However, at A-Vet, we offer a cost-effective alternative with our monthly preventive care subscription. This makes expenses more predictable and makes it easier to avoid large and expensive veterinary visits. Read more about VetPlan here!
Advice for everyday life with the puppy
Training and socialization
Puppies need training and socialization to develop into healthy, happy adult dogs. Plan to take your puppy to puppy classes and let him get used to social gatherings and interacting with different people. This is good for learning social skills and for an overall calm and people-friendly dog.
Give the puppy enough attention
Puppies need a lot of attention and care. Plan your daily routine so that you can give your puppy enough exercise, attention and cuddles. Remember that dogs, like people, can become lonely and depressed if left alone too much.
Common questions about the puppy's first time
When can the puppy be home alone?
The puppy's first weeks are characterized by being surrounded by his canine family and the little pup is dependent on his mother for survival. Therefore, getting used to being alone at home must happen gradually and at a calm pace. Training is crucial to success in this.
In general, we recommend that puppies at 3 months are left alone at home for a maximum of 2–3 hours, even if they have been trained to be alone. At 4 months of age, they can be left alone for about 3–4 hours, while puppies at 5 months and older can be left alone at home for 4–5 hours. This is subject to the condition that they cope well with being left alone at home. Read more about when dogs can be left alone at home.
What do you need for a puppy?
When you bring a new puppy into your home, there are a number of things you need to have in place. A good starting point is to think about the basic daily needs such as food, sleep, potty breaks and hygiene. In other words: the same needs that you yourself experience in your everyday life. Here is a list of the basic things you need:
- A safe place to sleep
- Puppy food
- Equipment for the air trip
- Toys
- Hygiene products
- Transport cage
- Treats
How far can a puppy go?
Puppies cannot walk as far as fully grown dogs and you have to take into account that their little bodies are still developing. The type of surface you walk on affects how long the walk should be. Uneven and soft surfaces found in the forest, for example, are less stressful than walks on asphalt. However, the walks should not be very long and a good rule of thumb is that the puppy's age in weeks corresponds to the number of minutes the walk should last.
How to get the puppy the living room?
The right approach is the key to good results with housetraining. However, you must be prepared that it may take some time for your puppy to become completely housebroken. Be patient and try to understand when your puppy gives you signals that he needs to pee. Also, have the equipment ready so that you can quickly take him out for a walk. As with all other training, positive reinforcement is the most effective. Instead of punishing him for going outside, praise and reward him.
