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Should You Buy a Puppy or Rescue a Dog?

15/10/2015 - Blog

When it comes to finding your new canine companion, you have two basic choices. You can choose to buy an adorable puppy from a reputable breeder, or you can adopt a puppy or dog from a rescue shelter. As with any decision, there are pros and cons to every option. Buying a Puppy means...

 

When you get a puppy from a good breeder, you should be able to see the puppies with their mother first, and you’ll be able to get plenty of information from the breeder on their health. For example, you can check whether the parents have been screened for any particular inherited problems that are often a problem in that particular breed. It means that you’ll be taking home an adorable little puppy who has only just left their litter – that means that all the training is up to you. You’ll have to be ready to give them plenty of time as they grow up, and be ready to guide them through their developmental stages – which, be warned, can sometimes be a little destructive. It’s quite a big task, which is why we offer puppy training in Wimbledon to help ease the burden! Your training will shape the puppy’s personality, so you must have the time to dedicate to it. Adopting a Puppy means...

 

Yes, many shelters do have puppies available for adoption. You get the same benefit of having an adorable puppy – and the same responsibility for training. However, you will often not have the same level of information about the health of the puppy’s parents – depending on the circumstances in which he or she arrived at the shelter. A good shelter will perform a number of checks, not only on the puppy to make sure they’re ready for rehoming, but also on you and your home, to make sure you’re prepared for the responsibility. In the case of mixed-breed puppies, the shelter might not be completely sure of their heritage – which could mean they end up bigger than expected when they grow up! Shelters often don’t actually advertise their puppies; they’re often in demand as many people prefer to adopt a puppy rather than an older dog. Adopting a Dog means...

 

You come home with a grown dog, and whilst you don’t get the opportunity to shape their personality, you do have a better idea of who you’re bringing home! If you haven’t got as much time to dedicate to training, then an adult dog who’s already trained is a much better choice than a puppy. However, not all rescue dogs are properly trained; they may have issues resulting from their previous circumstances. Shelter staff will be able to advise you of any issues they’re aware of before you make your choice, and you’ll often be able to have a few days’ home visit with the dog before you make the final decision to adopt. Taking on a difficult dog is very rewarding, but it’s also very challenging, and should not be undertaken if you haven’t got the time, experience and patience to cope. Again, we can help with this challenge, as we offer rescue dog home visits to help you assess and tackle any problem behaviours their previous owners may have left them with, or even if you simply have a few questions and would like help getting them settled. The best thing about adopting an adult dog is, of course, knowing that you’ve given them a new chance at a happy life and a forever home. Wherever your new faithful friend comes from, here at CK9 Training we want to make sure that you get the best possible start with them – if you’d like more information about any of our training workshops, get in touch with us on 07739 815 265 today.

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