Puppies are so adorable, soft and cuddly. With their big brown eyes and soft fur just made for snuggling up against. They can be obtained for a small fee from your local animal shelter, usually with the necessary shots, or even for free. But are they the ideal choice for a pet?
Take a close look at the reasons for wanting a puppy before making a commitment you may regret.
Is it for your children who are begging and pleading for a puppy? Are they promising how they’ll keep care of the little pup, feeding him and taking him for walks? Yup, kids sure do love puppies…until reality sets in. For both children and parents. The novelty quickly wears out and the parents soon find themselves looking after the pup. Plus they chew things like the children’s toys and furniture. Dad finds his newpapers shredded and Mom’s good shoes in pieces. Do you and your family have the patience for that sort of behavior?
Some puppies can bark a lot. If you’re the sort who likes peace and quiet that can quickly get on your nerves. Some puppies will have a real hard time being separated from their mommy and will whine and cry at night for a long time. This can be a real issue if you have to get up early in the morning for work but have lost sleep due to the puppies noise. Then there’s the potty training. Something many people are totally unprepared for. Pups have been known to ruin carpets and furniture or even bedding and mattresses. Some pups will pick up on it fairly easily while others may take a lot of time and effort. In some cases they may never learn either due to an inability to learn or improper training on the part of the parents.
Puppies Can Be Expensive
If you get your new pup from an animal shelter he will most likely have been spade or neutered and been given the necessary vaccinations. However, if you purchased one from a breeder or store then they may need a visit to the vet for the proper shots, etc. This will almost certainly be the case if you got a “free” puppy.
It’s possible, depending on the environment where they live, for them to get fleas, mites or other ailments. They can become sick and/or require special diets.
Then there’s the day to day stuff…food, leashes, toys, etc.
Puppies Soon Become Dogs
Dogs are not as cute as puppies and may not be as playful. They may get TOO big and may also shed. Some may jump on the furniture, or worse, people including small children. Dogs may bite or claw due to improper training or other issues.
In some cases they may even become dangerous although, with proper training and attention, this is rare.
Getting a puppy, or any other pet, requires a long term commitment of many years.
It really is very much like having a child and, like having a child, bringing a pet into the home should only be done after considerable consideration. Puppies, and the dogs they become, are a wonderful addition to any family but only if the family has the time and energy to to give their pet the time and devotion it needs.
Should You Get Free Puppies or Pay for One?
If you are considering adding a puppy to your home, you have probably wondered if getting a free puppy is as good of an idea as paying for one. You may have a 
certain breed in mind, or you may have general constrains such as cute, doesn’t bark a lot and won’t get over 60 lbs. You may still be crunching some number since you realize that even free puppies aren’t free, there are plenty of associated costs such as food, toys, a dog license, and visits to the vet. To help you in choosing the puppy that is right for you, we will briefly consider the advantages and disadvantages of the places you may be able to get puppies from.
Where to Get Puppies From
There are generally 4 types of places you can get puppies from; several offer free puppies or charge only a minimal fee. Animal shelters are well known as places to save unwanted pets and will only charge a minimal fee, if they charge any fee at all. The people who work at the shelters are usually very knowledgeable about animals and will gladly tell you everything they know or suspect about a particular animal’s history and personality. The big drawback of shelters is that they tend to have very few puppies, and the ones that are there have usually been through traumatic experiences.
Many people can find puppies and even Bengal kittens for sale at pet stores, but in addition to being expensive, many of these puppies come from puppy mills and are at risk for disease and other issues because of the poor conditions in these places. Private dog breeders can be a great source for puppies since the puppy will already be used to a home environment and the breeder will have a wealth of knowledge about both the puppy and its parents. Most private dog breeders specialize in one particular breed and breed purebred puppies which can be very expensive.
In some ways the best source for free puppies is still the family who didn’t get their dog spayed and now find themselves with a litter of puppies they are not going to be able to keep and take care of. They will be the least knowledgeable about things like breed and proper puppy development, but they are usually willing to give away the puppies, and the size of their dog will give you a good idea of how big your puppy may get.
Other Considerations
Before you bring any free puppies home, you will want to puppy proof your house. Puppies like to chew on everything, and will explore any room in your house they can get into. Put up gates, close doors, and decide where to put the puppy’s food bowls and bed before you bring the puppy home. Protect your carpets and be prepared to clean up accidents, especially until your pup is potty trained. You may also want to buy some chew toys for the puppy to reduce his need to chew up your couch and other valuables. Being well prepared for your puppy will help make his transition into your family easier, and help you protect your home.