The adopting decision is made, you are ready to adopt a puppy. But you ask yourself a lot of questions: where to find a puppy to adopt? At what age to adopt it? What adjustments to make at home? And how do you educate yourself? Explanations.
- Where can I find a puppy to adopt?
- At what age to adopt a puppy?
- What are the costs for adopting a puppy?
- How to prepare well before the arrival of a puppy?
- How to educate a puppy?
Adopting a puppy is like welcoming a new member into your family. This implies a certain number of responsibilities and notions to know. To best welcome your new pet, here are 5 things to know before you start.
1. Where can I find a puppy for adopting?
There are different methods to find the ideal companion:
In a shelter. Puppies are often rare to find but it is nevertheless possible. Note that it is also possible to adopt dogs of any age. The shelter staff can advise you on the dog that will best suit your situation.
With individuals: in general, it is easy to find classified ads on the internet.
With a breeder: recognized by the LOF, they can breed several breeds at the same time and offer several litters each year.
2. At what age to adopt a puppy?
Early spring is the best time to find a puppy. Bitches are usually in heat twice a year, in early fall and mid-winter. Gestation being two months, many female dogs have their litter in early winter and spring. There are of course puppies to adopt outside these periods, but this is less frequent.
The legal age for adopting a puppy is 8 weeks, however, it is strongly recommended to wait at least 10 weeks to separate the puppy from its mother.
Indeed, a puppy separated too soon from its mother will be more likely to have behavioral problems: problem of hyper attachment, inability to stay alone, uncleanliness, fears, phobias, even aggressiveness. During this period of 3 to 10 weeks, the puppy learns from its mother its first notions of life in “society” with other animals and people.
3. What are the costs for adopting a puppy?
The cost of buying a puppy depends on several important criteria: the breed of the animal, whether or not it is registered in the LOF (Book of French Origins), but also the place of its adoption.
By adopting your puppy from a shelter, you will be asked to contribute to the medical costs incurred for your animal (tattoo or identification chip, vaccines, etc.).
If you adopt your puppy from a professional breeder, the price will depend on your dog’s breed and pedigree. Finally, by adopting your puppy from a private individual, the latter may ask you for a financial contribution to cover certain costs, in particular those related to your puppy’s first visit to the veterinarian.
4. How to prepare well before the arrival of a puppy?
Remember to make essential purchases in advance so that your puppy does not miss anything on the day of his arrival.
Your dog’s bed is one of the most important places for his well-being. It must be placed in a specific place in the house: a quiet but not isolated location. It is always better to offer him a space where you are most often.
An adapted food allows the puppy to have a good growth and to be in good shape. You will find “special puppy” croquettes at your veterinarian or pet store. Beware, however, of inexpensive foods that are too high in fat such as by-products (meat flour, corn, wheat, etc.) that you can find in your supermarket.
Finally, it is important to secure the spaces to which your pet will have access. Fence your yard if you have one, as your pup may try to sneak in and run away. In an apartment, it is possible to secure your balcony with a screen so that your puppy cannot stick his head through the bars of the railing and get stuck.
5. How to educate a puppy?
“A good education helps your dog grow properly, without developing behavioral problems,” explains Tony Sylvestre, dog trainer and co-founder of Esprit Dog. To educate a puppy as well as possible, several notions must be put in place as soon as he arrives.
It is important to show him around his new home. Do not prohibit any room, even if you do not necessarily want him to enter your room, it is important that he discovers his environment. He will discover new smells, new terrain and above all be reassured by discovering that the house is secure.
By leaving its breeding, the puppy leaves a social group, made up of its mother and its brothers and sisters. He can therefore be frightened and bewildered upon arrival. It is important to accompany him from the beginning. Note that a stressed dog in a situation of discomfort will be more easily subject to incontinence.
Reassuring him is the key to potty training him. If you catch him urinating on the carpet, take him outside and let him assimilate the garden to his needs. Don’t argue with him, it will only stress him out even more. Finally, do not hesitate to reward him as soon as he reproduces this gesture correctly.
During the first outdoor outings of a puppy, around 2 months old, Tony Sylvestre, canine trainer and co-founder of Esprit Dog recommends using a lanyard, a very long leash (from 2 to 10 meters). “The lanyard gives the puppies great freedom of action,” explains Tony Sylvestre. And on the contrary, “the shorter the leash, the more the puppy will feel insecure, with few maneuvers to anticipate danger”.
Finally, if you catch your puppy chewing on the couch, don’t punish him, have a plan B. “Tell him ‘no’ and give him an occupation toy,” advises Tony Sylvestre. The puppy will quickly understand that he is only allowed to chew on his toy (balls, rope, rubber bones, etc.). Not to be confused with interaction toys: the dog has access to them in the presence of the master.
Adopting an animal commits you, it is a decision that you will have to think carefully about. Do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian or the shelter closest to you before starting. They will be able to give you their advice on the breed of dog that will suit you best.
