I want a new puppy!

In a household with 9 dogs, this isn’t a phrase that I utter lightly. Most of the Namaste Farm dogs have jobs, either herding or guarding the flock. That being said, I’ll admit that we have a couple of canine friends at home whose main jobs are to cheer and entertain us. Today I’m going to talk about things to consider before you get a puppy. Next week I’ll give tips on how to select the best working puppy for your farm.

Like it or not, the first question to answer before you get a puppy is whether you can afford it. Sorry, my friends, but especially now in the time of COVID and the economic uncertainty it has brought, you need to be realistic about the cost of any dog. Dogs eat. Dogs need vet care. Those two things alone are bound to be large costs that you can’t avoid, even if you already have all of the other niceties you’d like to give your dog, like training classes, toys, and a fenced yard. A free puppy is never free of cost. Please be honest with yourself before you get a puppy about whether you can afford it.

If you really want a puppy and feel confident about having the means to keep it, along with time and all the other things it will need, where do you get one? If you only want a companion dog, and who doesn’t, there are many places to look for the puppy of your dreams. I have spent many years working with East Tennessee Border Collie Rescue. There are many other rescues for specific breeds or local dogs that need homes. You don’t have to get a puppy to get a great dog. I also recommend shelters, which is where many rescue dogs start their journeys to new homes. Last, if you want a specific breed, look for a reputable breeder. Puppy mills and backyard breeders fill the world with dogs who often end up at the shelter, or worse yet, abandoned and dead on road sides.

I hope you get the puppy of your dreams. Be a responsible owner. Every dog deserves a great life in someone’s home, filled with laughter, love, and care until the time comes to say goodbye at the end of its days.