Planning for a new puppy begins with being sure that you are ready for it. If you are asking yourself, "Are we ready for a new puppy?", these questions will help you be sure. This is part 1 of 5 in the series, be sure to check out each part!

At Heel & Home, we believe in transparency and promise to tell you the things that no one else talks about so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your family. It is our goal that all puppies go to homes that are confident in their choice and committed to surviving the difficult moments together.

Are You Ready for a New Puppy? This Will Be Unpredictable.

Bringing home a puppy is a lot like bringing home a baby. It is exhilarating and exhausting. It brings joy as well as frustration. Some days you want to quit and other days you can't imagine your life in any other way. And, it also brings unexpected surprises.

Some things are predictable (you know you will have vet appointments!) but often there will be surprises (trips outside in the middle of the night when it is freezing cold because she has diarrhea?).

Also, while we select the breed for its predictable characteristics, we must remember that breed characteristics are an average. The reality is, you are bringing home a new living being that has a personality all of its own. You can't predict it all.

The way you imagine it happening is most likely not the reality.

Are You Ready for a New Puppy? You Will Need To Be Flexible.

Bringing home a puppy is not a minor change. In fact, a new puppy changes EVERY part of life. The life that you have settled into with your favorite routines and pastimes will have to be flexible. Some things may not get done at all each day while others will have to change in order to get completed. For example, my kitchen sink has dirty dishes much longer than I would like because I can't get to them. But, I can continue to provide school for my son as long as I split up our time together into smaller segments so that I can manage Millie's schedule too.

So, go into it with an expectation that flexibility is key. Together, you will find your new normal but it will take time. Sometimes the changes may feel stifling, limiting, and painful. Yet, some changes are great, rewarding, and stretch you in new ways that you appreciate.

You will need to practice flexibility in your daily routines.... accepting some things can not happen and others will need to be adjusted.

Are You Ready for a New Puppy? Everyone In My House Can Gradually Adapt to Change.

As mom to a complex neurodivergent son, I don't take life changing events lightly. In fact, I kind of fear them. I have built a world that is stable for our son by shaping an environment that meets his needs. Bringing home a puppy most certainly shifted many of his routines and it took time to settle into what they became. Expect this transition to be a windy road, not a direct path.

As parents, we make difficult decisions every day. Bringing home a puppy for the greater long-term good may be worth the changes it creates. But, I would try to plan this season of change for a time when other things are relatively stable for your child.

Everyone is on board with changes at home and I have faith that we will find our new normal, gradually.

Are You Ready for a New Puppy? It is OK to say No.

Your family may not be as complex as ours. But either way, change is hard for everyone. When considering a puppy, really consider if you and EVERYONE in the house is at a place that change will be tolerable.

Rescue organizations and shelters are full of dogs that people thought they could take care of, until they realized they couldn't. We make it our mission to share the truth about what to expect so that every golden goes to a home that is confident in adjusting life to include a new family member for every day to come.

Remember, when considering a new puppy, it is always ok to say: "Its not the right time for us, maybe later."

Are You Ready Now?

If you've made it this far, you're on your way to feeling much more confident in your decision. In the next portions of this series we will also consider the realities of:

• Time Commitment
• Financial Expense
• Tolerance for Mess
• Availability for Support

We would love to hear your thoughts, send us a message on Instagram and let us know how you're doing so far.