Your Puppy Payout Analysis
Jennifer Maurer • January 23, 2020
Puppy Love is PRICELESS but it does come with a COST!
My most valued treasures are my animals (one shetland sheep dog (Gabe) and two cats (Rex and Sienna). They are also quite the investment!
For many, the decision to adopt or purchase a dog is an impulsive one with disregard to financial implications. There are upfront costs associated with bringing a dog into your home as well as on-going monthly and annual costs that add up if you are not budgeting correctly.
Raising and keeping a dog is a financial responsibility that needs to be thought out carefully. I have provided a re-cap on all the “what I deem necessary” expenses when determining your financial means as you consider getting a dog.
The initial cost outlay netted out to be approximately $6,100 with an on-going annual cost of $4,500.
Some of the higher cost expenses may surprise you!
- The cost of your puppy is usually not your biggest expenditure though purchasing from a breeder can run you several hundred if not thousands of dollars. Rescuing a dog is much more budget friendly, and you can feel good that you may have very well saved your dog’s life. I also believe that rescue dogs are a bit more appreciative of their owners due to the challenges they have faced in finding a fur-ever home. Many rescues cover shots and spay/neutering expenses with the adoption which is a big money saver.
- One of the biggest expenses in getting a puppy (or dog of any age) is the cost for dog training, and it is well worth it! So many dogs end up in shelters due to the fact that their pet parent didn’t invest in addressing behavior issues and proper dog training. Dog training is a time and money investment that some people aren’t willing to make and many times results in the dog being sent back to the shelter. If you invest in proper dog training, within a year, you will have a well-adjusted, well-balanced and well-mannered family member. I have also included on-going dog training in my yearly budget because I believe all dogs can brush up on their skills whether that means more advanced obedience work or a tricks class! You can sign up for my dog training classes located at Wolfgang’s Pet Stop in the Central West End by calling 314.367-8088. Check this page for the class schedule. Private sessions are also available.
- Doggie daycare and dog walking is a big expenditure that is critical when caring for a puppy especially for those pet parents who work long hours. I can’t speak enough about how many dogs I have worked with who have behavior issues driven by the fact they are crated all day and not given the exercise or socialization opportunities they need. Giving your dog an exercise outlet and play time with other dogs is critical for their emotional well-being. If you don’t have the time to do this, it is time to call in support resources. My recommendations in St. Louis are St. Louis Dog Walkers for walks, Kamp K-9 day care for larger/more active dogs and Wolfgang’s Pet Stop day care for smaller/less active dogs. Also, invest in a dog park membership. There are great ones throughout the St. Louis area.
- Grooming is another big expense that some people under estimate. If you are on a budget, adopt a “wash and wear” dog that doesn’t require trims. If you do choose a dog that requires regular grooming, then regularly groom your dog (sounds simple right?). Brushing and caring for your dog’s coat is time consuming but necessary. If a dog’s coat is maintained well, the cost of grooming goes down. My goto in St. Louis for grooming is Wolfgang’s Pet Stop.
- Food is another big monthly expenditure. If you are investing in proper nutrition for your dog, this will result in good overall health saving money on vet bills in the long run.
- There are some surprises on the list like carpet cleaning! Puppies have accidents and dogs can track in dirt. Put money in the budget for bi-annual deep cleaning carpet services.
- Annual check-ups and shots are included in the budget but what is not is unexpected vet care. Accidents happen. Dogs get sick. Dogs get old and require extra care. All this vet care is costly. So, it is important to have savings in case some health concerns arise. I suggest a $1,000 reserve in case of an emergency. You don’t want to have to make a vet care decision for your dog based on lack of funds.
Treats, chews, toys, heart worm and flea and tick medication . . . it all adds up! Being a responsible pet owner requires a strict budget, and it is worth every penny! You can’t put a price on the unconditional love, loyalty and pure joy you get from having a dog, but you can definitely plan, budget and be thoughtful with the expenditures for your new furry family member.
Many of my clients look at me in astonishment when I say it is OK to feed your dog human food from your plate! We have always been told that this act creates begging behavior and causes intestinal problems. Under certain circumstances, this is indeed true. However, if done correctly, using foods that are safe for your dog (click on the link to see a list of foods that are unsafe ) and in moderation, it is actually a wonderfully, positive thing! There is a new trend in teaching and relating to dogs called bond-based learning which I incorporate into my dog training programs. The thought process behind this type of teaching is that by having a strong bond with your dog, it will ensure your dog makes positive choices when it comes to good behavior. A technique used in this type of training is food sharing. Food sharing provides an opportunity for social learning with you and your dog. It has been shown that food sharing helps reinforce the bond you have with your dog and allows them to feel safe and secure around you. Sharing food with your dog does not always equate to begging. Begging behavior can happen even when you don’t feed from your plate. Since their sense of smell is more heightened than ours, smelling you cooking and serving dinner can be overwhelming as they salivate over all the deliciousness. Many dogs can’t contain themselves from their desire to join in and beg which becomes a big distraction during meals. I have found that the opposite is true when you are sharing your meal with your dog. Now, I am not saying you should feed your dog when they beg. What I am saying, is that you can feed your dog when they are laying calmly next to you and not begging which in turn teaches your dog not to beg! This is where marker training comes in. Give your dog the “Down Stay” cue and after just a couple of seconds, mark the behavior with your marker word (i.e., good) and treat off your plate. Begin to spread out the length of time that you are marking and treating. If your dog does beg, ignore them until they settle back down for a minute or two and then mark and treat. Your dog will soon learn that being patient and quiet during meal time leads to tasty things! This opens up a whole new world of possibility for you and your dog! Imagine a holiday dinner that includes your favorite, furry family member! And next Spring and Summer, think about all the outdoor dining experiences you can have! Food sharing is a great for socialization and a wonderful bonding experience! If you are interested in learning more about my positive reinforcement and relationship-based training methods, reach out for a free phone consultation. You can learn more at PetImpact.com .
Bringing a new dog into your home where there is already an existing dog doesn’t always run smoothly. The fact of the matter is every dog has their own distinct personality that may not jive with each and every dog. There may be a difference in energy levels, play styles or socialization preferences. If it isn’t a good match, unwanted behaviors may occur including marking, guarding and aggression. Typically, the dog who is exhibiting these behaviors gets the blame. But look closely, in reality, there are two sides to every story.
Just like us, dogs thrive on having a set schedule for their day including food, naps, play time, walks and training. The Covid-19 quarantine has many of us working from home. So, your dog’s schedule may have gotten out of wack or you may have set an entirely new schedule.
Your love for your dog is not just the emotional feeling you have for them, it is the actions you take as it relates to the care you give them and specifically your approach to teaching them. Here are 5 ways to express your love for your dog when training (in no particular order).
We are all showing signs of stress during this quarantine whether that be binge eating, over-sleeping or just plain crabbiness. So, it is not surprising that our dogs are feeling the pressure too. Dogs are extremely sensitive to our emotions which may cause them to act out as well. They don’t understand why their routine has changed, why they can’t go to the dog park, why their parents are around all the time (yes some dogs actually want space!), why people don’t greet and pet them anymore on their walks and most importantly why their parents are so stressed out.
Everyone’s life has been disrupted with the recent pandemic of Covid-19 including our dogs! We have found ourselves transitioning into a new “Normal” with different social norms including how this impacts pet ownership. Here are some “New Rules” as we navigate through proper dog etiquette during the pandemic.