Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I’ve been volunteering at the Hancock County Animal Shelter and spending time with my cousin’s dog, Jasmine (yes, she is still there).  As I watch people come in, I wonder whether they are seasoned dog owners looking for another addition to their family or first-time adopters learning as they go.  So I put together 30 Tips and Statements on What Pup Parents Wish They Knew Before Getting A Dog, a fun read, and it gets us thinking about all the things we have said, experienced, and thought over the course of our pet’s life.  I would love to see what you agree with, hear, or even say yourselves.  Comment below and let me know :-).

1. “Genetics and temperament play a role in training. Puppies are not a blank slate. I should have researched better.” -Kristy O

2. “That my whole entire life would change and revolve around the dog. And I mean that in the best way possible. My life got better the moment I held him.” -Ronald S

3. “Take lots of pictures and videos while they’re babies because they grow up so fast.” -Natalie H.

4. “Socializing isn’t just playing with dogs. It’s about introducing them to life. Different people, dogs, surfaces, sounds, environments, etc. and not just interacting with it but just being able to see/hear it and be ok with it all. Thankfully, I did the sounds and surfaces, but the new places and people, I failed.

Another thing is taking them out. I took her to Tractor Supply once when she was in her critical socializing window. She gets anxious now when we go out but we’re working on all her issues. Would have been so much easier doing it when I was supposed to rather than now at 2 years old.” -Natalie H

5. “The sharp puppy teeth nipping on your legs!” -Sheila K

6. “That I need to enjoy actually having a dog!”  I know this sounds weird, but I went super hardcore in being as knowledgable as possible and getting training schedule in place and maximise her learning. My puppy is a rescue, and a young puppy! So I wanted the best possible outcome!  But with all that hard work, I really do forget to play for the sake of playing and to just enjoy my time with her.” -Gaby W

7. “Just make sure your expectations are the same if you are raising the pup with a partner or with family involved. Everyone needs to be on board with the training!!” -Ashlyn S

8. “You will feel bad when you aren’t taking your dog on adventures every day.” -Julianna F.

9. “That you don’t ever need a morning alarm to wake up.” -N Soumya R

10. “How hard it is some days to have to take them out multiple times a day to go potty no matter the weather.” – Michelle R

11. “No age is too young to start training.” -Becca K

12. “How much work you need to put in when they’re very young. It makes such a difference later on.” -Marion L

13. “To get your puppy used to having space away from you. You may want to be with your puppy 24/7 because they’re so adorable – but that could lead to separation anxiety!” -Emily R

14. “How messy they are & how much poop you’ll pick up.” -Emily R

15. “Prevention is key. If you see your dog not doing a bad behavior, reward that.” -Emily R

16. “People will give you advice even if you don’t ask & may judge what you do – but you can never please everyone. Do what works for you both.”  I’m sure everyone receives unsolicited advice from time to time. Remember that you know your dog best!

17. “They are like potato chips hard to just have 1.” -Angel D

18. “How much I would cry the first few months. Puppy blues are REAL.” -Alyssa D

19. “Perfection is your worst enemy! For real, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” -Jessica L

20. “That I would be so glad I waited until our life was in a place where adding a puppy, with all her busyness, and training needs, would be a joy instead of an added stress on my to-do list. I think I love her more because of that.” -Nikky G

21. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical play. -Danielle M

22. “I have to say in all honesty. I found Zak George 30 day pup training about 3 wks bf my puppy came home. I was totally prepared and sooo grateful I found those vids. I had plenty of time to order my supplies and felt ready to start a balanced bonding w my puppy right away!!” -Rita M

23. “You’ll need to factor boarding costs into all of your future trips and vacations.” -Orawan S

24. “#1-even though it’s in EVERY video and book you can find, taking the lead and spending the time crate training when they first come home as a new little puppy.” -Andy W

25. “In the winter, put a piece of plywood down before it snows. then just pick it up so pup can do it’s thing.” -Guillermo A

26. “How hard it would be when you lose your best friend. I gotta say, I don’t think I would cry for a human as much I did for my shepherd. We know this going in but what we know and what we feel are completely different. Still wouldn’t change the time we had for anything.” – Natasha O

27. “Repetition is key! It will take hundreds and hundreds of reps before a behavior becomes automatic.” -Laura T

28. “Get pet insurance when they’re a baby!!!!” -Emily T

29. “How much they would steal my heart!” -Abi G

30. “Just how deeply I would love her and life without her would absolutely suck beyond measure. I’m about to cry now lol” -Sara M

I hope you enjoyed this post.  I researched this topic and also used Pupford as a reference.  If you are looking for more pet-related topics, check them out here.

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