5 coisas que eu gostaria de saber antes de ter um filhote

Como tantos outros, ganhei um cachorrinho pandêmico durante o bloqueio do COVID-19. Embora tenha sido sem dúvida a melhor decisão da minha vida, há algumas coisas que eu gostaria de saber antes de ter um cachorro:

1. Você deve pesquisar os requisitos da raça com antecedência
2. Tornar sua casa à prova de cachorros não é brincadeira
3. Nunca é cedo demais para começar a socializar
4. Você também precisa ser disciplinado
5. A criação de animais de estimação pode ficar MUITO cara

• Considerações finais

1. Você deve pesquisar os requisitos da raça com antecedência

Pesquisar raças de cães antes de escolher um filhote pode ser útil. Diferentes raças têm diferentes temperamentos, exigências de exercícios, restrições de tamanho etc. Ao cuidar de um filhote, é seu trabalho garantir que todas essas necessidades sejam atendidas , portanto, aprender sobre eles com antecedência pode garantir que você combine com um excelente ajuste para você e sua família.

Comece analisando sua vida e avaliando quanto tempo, energia, espaço e dinheiro você pode comprometer de forma realista com seu animal de estimação. Por exemplo, se você não gosta de se exercitar com seu cão, provavelmente vai querer se afastar de raças altamente ativas que precisam queimar muita energia todos os dias. Se você tem um orçamento limitado para cães, deve saber que a ração para cachorros de raças grandes geralmente custa muito mais do que alimentar um cão de tamanho menor.

Moro em um apartamento pequeno, então, quando decidi resgatar um filhote, sabia que precisava escolher um que se contentasse em viver em um espaço confinado sem quintal. Fiquei um pouco nervoso quando soube que eles acreditavam que Zoey era uma raça misturada com Chihuahua, pois sabia que esses cães costumam ser propensos a distúrbios comportamentais. Mas depois de cuidar de sua saúde, ela rapidamente ultrapassou o tamanho padrão de um Chihuahua.

Com base em sua aparência, achei que ela deve tem algum Labrador Retriever em seu DNA – uma raça com alta prevalência de displasia do quadril. O custo do tratamento da displasia da anca em cães pode ser bastante caro, por isso decidi testar o DNA dela para ver se havia algum marcador para esta condição hereditária e orçar de acordo, em caso afirmativo.

Tive sorte – sua composição genética não continha raças de cães com problemas de saúde comuns. Outros pais de animais de estimação, especialmente aqueles com raça pura, não são tão afortunados e acabam gastando muito mais dinheiro em custos de visita ao veterinário. Minha amiga, por exemplo, também teve um filhote de cachorro pandêmico e teve que gastar mais de US $ 6.000 no veterinário durante os primeiros seis meses de possuir seu novo Bulldog Francês.

2. Deixar seu lugar à prova de filhotes não é brincadeira

Cheios de curiosidade, mas sem consciência corporal, coordenação olho-mão e etiqueta de treinamento em casa, os filhotes são mestres em encontrar coisas para mastigar, derrubar, fazer xixi ou rastejar por baixo . Isso pode ser inegavelmente irritante – não importa o quão fofo seja o “rosto culpado” – mas proteger seu lugar para cachorros pode ajudá-lo a evitar dores de cabeça ocasionais.

Aprender como deixar a casa à prova de filhotes não apenas poupa você da frustração ocasional, mas também ajuda a proteger a saúde e a segurança de seu novo animal de estimação. Existem perigos infinitos para os filhotes em casa que você pode nem considerar perigosos, e muitos acidentes comuns em filhotes são totalmente evitáveis ​​com um pouco de planejamento proativo.

Start by scanning each area of your home from a “puppy perspective. ” Get on all fours to see your puppy’s point of view, what’s accessible, and what might be tempting just outside of their reach. Secure anything fragile, conceal all exposed cables, and remove everything unsafe to avoid taking your pet to the emergency room.

3. It's Never Too Early To Start Socializing

Many people, including myself, know that socializing a puppy — or introducing them to new experiences in a positive, constructivre way — is critical because a lack of socialization can increase the risk of behavioral problems , such as aggression, fear, and anxiety.

However, I had no idea how quickly the ideal window for puppy socialization closes. Though our four-legged friends continue to process and make meaning of the big, wide world throughout their entire life, they form key associations with specific places, people, and things most strongly between three- and 16-weeks old .

I was under the impression that I couldn’t help Zoey integrate and acclimate to her environment until she received all of her puppy vaccinations. Now I know that’s not necessarily the case; puppies can begin socializing after their first deworming and round of shots (though it’s best to avoid public places where you can’t confirm dogs’ vaccination status until your puppy is fully immunized ).

I could (and should) have enrolled her into puppy training classes at a much younger age where she could learn obedience and interact with other pups. I also could have tried to cross off more experiences on the puppy socialization checklist by taking precautions against communicable diseases like parvo in puppies. Some examples might include bringing her more places in a pet carrier from where she could safely watch and observe, or pushing her in a grocery cart lined with a blanket to expose her to more people, sounds, and objects with wheels.

There are a few things Zoey never encountered before her first birthday, so we’ll need to work a little harder to overcome her discomfort around those things so she can become a calm, confident dog. As it stands, people using walkers or wheelchairs, as well as men with very long beards trigger a fear response and make her uneasy.

4. You Have To Be Disciplined, Too

If you want a well-trained dog, it’ll require effort, patience, and discipline on your part, too — not just your puppy’s or their trainer’s. Zoey is a studio-trained dog who does occasional production work in Los Angeles, and though she may be the star of the show, I have to dedicate a ton of time to working with her everyday.

You can’t just send them to puppy school and expect them to retain everything unless you make them repeatedly model the desired behaviors. Once you establish rules and boundaries, do your best to stick to them , at least until your puppy is mature enough to understand appropriate etiquette.

If they’re not allowed to eat human food, don’t slide them an occasional scrap. Not allowed on the couch or bed? Then resist the occasional temptation to invite them up for a snuggle. Doing so might confuse your dog by telling them it’s okay sometimes , but not all A Hora. Make your commands clear and consistent, and if there are others in the house, ask that they also reinforce the rules.

Dedicate time to obedience training everyday to shape your puppy’s desired behaviors. Three five-minute sessions are most effective to prevent burnout while maximizing knowledge retention, but don’t forget to give them lots of love and playtime in between for all their hard work.

5. Puppy Parenting Can Get REALLY Expensive

Even though the cost of adopting a puppy is significantly cheaper than buying one from a breeder, I was still very underprepared for just how expensive becoming a pet parent would be.

Between the cost of vet visits to get Zoey back in good health, to the price of her professional dog training program, essential puppy supplies, plus all the toys and treats I spoil her with, I easily spent over $2,000 in the first year alone. For a dog about her size, cumulative care costs throughout her entire life are estimated to amount to approximately $15,782 ou mais.

Fortunately, my pet insurance plan helped offset the appointments at her primary care vet by reimbursing me 80% of the bill after I paid my $200 deductible. I also got reimbursed $250 for the cost of spaying my puppy through the wellness plan I added onto my policy’s coverage. I’m lucky that I never had to take my pet to the emergency room, though, because unexpected vet visits are where the money can really add up fast , often costing more than $5,000 for a single hospitalization.

Like most other pet parents, I don’t happen to have that kind of money set aside in case anything were to happen to Zoey. I couldn’t fathom the possibility of not being able to provide her the critical, potentially life-saving care she might need one day simply because I couldn’t afford it.

That’s why I gladly pay a few bucks a month toward her pet insurance premium. It gives me peace of mind knowing that if my dog got hit by a car or had a bad injury, the most I would have to pay is $200 before my pet insurance coverage kicks in to help pay 80% vet bill . Depending on the plan you choose, your deductible could even be as low as $0, or your reimbursement rate could be as much as 100%.

Final Thoughts

My dog is my best friend and I would spare no expense to make sure she’s happy and healthy, but being financially protected relieves a great deal of stress. And since I used Pawlicy Advisor to buy pet insurance, I know that I’m enrolled in a great plan at the best guaranteed price.

See if pet insurance is worth it for your situation, then get a free quote and enroll online in a matter of minutes. You can also head over to the blog to read additional dog care tips or learn more about how pet insurance works.

References

1. 
   American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, “Puppy Socialization,” Accessed March 25, 2022.
   
2. 
   American Kennel Club, “How Much Will You Spend on Your Dog in His Lifetime?” Accessed March 25, 2022.