Current:Home > ScamsFastexy Exchange|It's National Puppy Day! Are you ready to be a dog owner? What to know about puppies -Clarity Finance Guides
Fastexy Exchange|It's National Puppy Day! Are you ready to be a dog owner? What to know about puppies
Rekubit Exchange View
Date:2025-04-08 23:49:04
It's no secret that puppies are Fastexy Exchangeone of the most adorable little critters on the planet, but do you have what it takes to take care of them? It's National Puppy Day, so it might be tempting to go out and adopt one right away, but here are some of the things you can expect when you're expecting a puppy.
Pups are the cutest, but they do some not so cute things. Like poop in the living room, pee on the couch and barf on the rug. Not to mention they just love chewing on everything in site, from a new pair of crocs to the leg of your favorite chair.
"Everybody thinks it's a cute idea to get a little puppy, but then they forget they're little goblins running around your house," said Caroline Mattioli, a professional dog trainer and owner of Got It Dog Training, told USA TODAY.
Mattioli, who started out as a Dolphin Trainer in Florida, said that people need to realize that dog training is only a tiny part of getting a new puppy.
"Part of my job with the dogs is I'm a human trainer too," she said. "I really train the people to train the dog."
Getting a puppy is a lot of responsibility that people need to make sure they can handle before they do, said Mattioli.
How much sleep do dogs need?Here's when owners should worry, from a veterinarian.
National Puppy Day: What should I do before getting a puppy?
Research! Make sure this si something you want to do. Mattioli said a lot of people like the idea of having a dog, but don't realize the kind of energy it will take to raise one.
"Can you commit to that, and can you commit to 10 to 15 years of caring for something?" asked Mattioli.
If you think you can handle all the barking and waking up to your favorite pair of shoes being torn up, now you need to look at expenses.
National Puppy Day: How much does it cost?
Well, according to data sent to USA TODAY from Rover, Pet parenthood can range from $1,000 to $5,225, but optional extras will cost most dog parents $1,405 to $6,235 per year.
"We can all agree that the unconditional love between you and your dog is priceless," said Kate Jaffe, a trends expert at Rover. "But it's also important to be aware of the financial responsibility associated with being a pet parent. Local shelters can be a great way to find a loving companion and they're usually lower cost.
The cost will include the following, according to Rover:
- Spay or neuter surgery: $250-$525
- Microchip + ID tags: $20-$95
- Initial vet exam and vaccinations: $165-$515
- Collar: $5-$60
- Harness: $5-$80
- Leash: $10-$75
- Food and water bowls: $5-$80
- Poop bags + holder: $10-$90
- Crate: $25-$475
- Bed: $10-$470
- Grooming items: Brush and nail trimmer $15-$125
- Cleaning supplies such as stain and odor removers and wipes: $5-$55
- Potty pads: $5-$70
- Toys and chews: $5-$220
- Treats: $2-$125
- Basic veterinary care: $275-$435
- Pet license: $20-$125
- Food (wet and dry): $45-$345
Total: $870-$4,565
If you're able to budget for all this, then time to move on to the next step, picking out a breed.
National Puppy Day: What breed should I adopt?
It depends. Mattioli says first-time dog owners should stay far away from Chihuahuas and herding dogs, like German Shepherds.
She cautions against getting any dog that are hard to handle.
"People get a type of dog that they really did not understand because they didn't do the research and then that dog probably ends up in a shelter or worse, put down," said the dog trainer.
For first-time owners, she recommends looking into adopting Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
"They're pretty easygoing [and] very people-oriented," said Mattioli. "I don't want to generalize or stereotype, but the majority of the time, they seem to be really well fitted for like families or first-time dog owners [because] of their temperament."
For those looking to adopt from a shelter, Mattioli recommends looking at their temperament and making sure they get along with those already in your household.
National Puppy Day: What goes into training?
While class trainings, like ones provided by Petco or Petsmart, are an option for learning the basics, Mattioli says all dog owners should look into personal trainers as well. But what works best for each dog depends on the dog itself.
If after the third or fourth group class a dog is still scared, Mattioli recommends folks look into private lessons instead.
But event if a dog thrives in group classes, they can stil benefit from personal trainers.
"I still think people should do private lessons regardless of the type of dog that they have, because there's always always stuff to learn," said Mattioli. "There's a lot of stuff to learn in a private lesson that you can't learn in a group class just because the group class is one trainer for eight dogs."
Mattioli says private lessons are great for tackling issues that are unique to a dog at home.
Good luck and Happy National Puppy Day!
If you read all this and are still totally excited and ready for a new pup, then good luck! But remember to ask yourself if this is something that you really truly want. Because while dogs can brighten your day by just wagging their tails, they can just as easily ruin it when they steal a rotisserie chicken off the kitchen counter.
Regardless of if you have a 3-month-old puppy or a 10-year-old dog, today is the day to celebrate canine pals. Good luck!
National Kitty Day
Don't worry, cat owners, we'll come back with an article especially for you on July 10th, for National Kitty Day.
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz.
veryGood! (253)
Related
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Kevin Costner Shares His Honest Reaction to John Dutton's Controversial Fate on Yellowstone
- Threat closes Spokane City Hall and cancels council meeting in Washington state
- Harriet Tubman posthumously honored as general in Veterans Day ceremony: 'Long overdue'
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Burger King is giving away a million Whoppers for $1: Here's how to get one
- Wisconsin authorities believe kayaker staged his disappearance and fled to Europe
- Minnesota county to pay $3.4M to end lawsuit over detainee’s death
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- How Leonardo DiCaprio Celebrated His 50th Birthday
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Auburn surges, while Kansas remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
- My Little Pony finally hits the Toy Hall of Fame, alongside Phase 10 and Transformers
- Love Is Blind’s Chelsea Blackwell Reacts to Megan Fox’s Baby News
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Harriet Tubman posthumously named a general in Veterans Day ceremony
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
- Volkswagen, Mazda, Honda, BMW, Porsche among 304k vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
Recommendation
Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
Why Jersey Shore's Jenni JWoww Farley May Not Marry Her Fiancé Zack Clayton
Video shows Starlink satellite that resembled fireball breaking up over the Southwest: Watch
Why Jersey Shore's Jenni JWoww Farley May Not Marry Her Fiancé Zack Clayton
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
All Social Security retirees should do this by Nov. 20
Sam LaPorta injury update: Lions TE injures shoulder, 'might miss' Week 11
Cavaliers' Darius Garland rediscovers joy for basketball under new coach