Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting a Puppy
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- 20startup23
- March 26, 2025
- New Pet Owners Uncategorized
AI Image Prompt: A golden hour photo of a fluffy golden retriever puppy in a messy living room—chewed toys and slippers scattered on a rug, a tipped-over coffee mug, leash hanging on the wall, and a tired but smiling dog parent sitting on the couch.
Here are the tried-and-true products I used (and loved!) during my own puppy adventure:
- Good Stainless Dog Bowl Set – No-tip, easy to clean, and cute enough to leave out.
- Puppy Crate for Safe Indoor Play – Keeps the chaos contained while you sip your coffee.
- Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats – Perfect size and irresistible for focused training sessions.
- Puppy Toy – Stuff it with frozen goodies for solo entertainment.
- Puppy-Safe Paw Balm – Protects their tiny toe beans in winter weather.
- Complete Puppy Starter Kit – Includes toys, harness, pads, and more—all the first-week basics.
🐾 Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer
Heads up: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you.
It all started with a Pinterest board.
You know the one—full of tiny sweaters, aesthetic collars, and pictures of sleepy little floofs cuddled on throw blankets. That’s how I got here. I was convinced I was ready to be a dog mom. I had a name picked out, a cute water bowl ordered, and a leash that matched my jacket. What I didn’t have? A single clue.
Because here’s the truth: getting a puppy isn’t just adorable. It’s exhausting, hilarious, chaotic, expensive, and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made—even if it nearly broke me at first. So before you find yourself barefoot at 3AM chasing a zooming furball with a rogue sock in its mouth, read this.
These are the real-deal things I wish I knew before getting a puppy—the good, the messy, the unexpected.
Puppy Care Is Not for the Faint of Heart (Or Light Sleepers)
No one tells you that those sleepy puppy pics come with a soundtrack: whining, whimpering, chewing, panting, barking, more chewing. The first few weeks are a blur of crate training, adjusting schedules, and trying to figure out if that weird sneeze is normal.
Why you’ll love it: You become their whole world. There’s something magical about being chosen—followed around, looked up to, trusted.
Good Stainless Dog Bowl Set on Amazon – durable, easy to clean, and no-tip for eager eaters.
Puppy Training Will Break You (And Then Build You Back Up)
I thought I was patient. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t. Not when my new puppy peed on the couch five minutes after we’d just come inside. Not when I spent an hour coaxing her to sit only to have her run off mid-command to chew a sock.
What helps: Celebrate the tiny wins. Stick to a routine. And if you’re consistent, one day you’ll say “sit” and they’ll actually do it. I cried the first time it worked.
Imagine this: You’re outside at 6AM in slippers and a bathrobe, whisper-cheering as your puppy pees on the right patch of grass. It’s not glamorous. It’s love.
A Responsible Breeder Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential
Impulse buying a puppy from an online ad or shady source is tempting when you see that face—but slow down. I learned that behind-the-scenes conditions matter so much. Health issues, temperament, and early socialization all come from where your pup spent those crucial first eight weeks.
Tip: Ask questions. Lots of them. A good breeder wants their puppies to thrive and will be proud to show you how they raise them.
You’ll Need Eyes in the Back of Your Head (Puppy Supervision is a Sport)
Turn your back for two seconds and boom—there goes your favorite slipper. Puppies are like toddlers with more teeth and less logic. They’ll lick outlets, chomp your plants, and somehow get into the one thing you thought was out of reach.
Solution: Baby gates, pens, and tether training. Control the environment before it controls you.
This Puppy Crate was my sanity saver—it created a mini puppy zone where I could actually drink coffee in peace.
Sleep Deprivation Will Catch You Off Guard
I didn’t realize I’d be setting alarms every two hours for potty breaks. Or that I’d miss REM sleep so much I’d daydream about hotels.
Pro tip: It gets better. Within a few weeks, your puppy will learn that nighttime = sleep. Until then, embrace naps and strong coffee.
Budget? What Budget? Puppy Expenses Add Up Fast
You think you’re just buying food and a leash? Try vaccines, heartworm meds, grooming tools, replacement rugs, training treats, and the sudden need for a new carpet after an “accident.”
Budget smart: Subscribe & Save on Amazon for Zuke’s Mini Naturals—your future self (and wallet) will thank you.
Toxic Foods for Dogs: Way More Than Just Chocolate
I was shocked at how many normal foods can be dangerous: grapes, raisins, onions, avocado, even some peanut butters. I almost gave my pup a cookie without checking. Never again.
Get familiar: Keep a toxic food list on your fridge. And don’t trust those puppy eyes at dinner time.
Puppy-Proofing is Not Just a One-Time Thing
They grow. Fast. And what they couldn’t reach yesterday is fair game today. I puppy-proofed once, thought I was done—until she scaled the couch like a goat and found my gum.
Tip: Think like a puppy. Anything chewable, swallowable, or destroyable? Move it up.
Socialization Is an Everyday Adventure
It’s not just about playdates. Socialization means letting your pup experience life: car rides, umbrellas, people in hats, delivery trucks, vacuums, grass, sand, and snow.
Start slow: Carry them before they’re fully vaccinated, and let them observe the world with you.
Separation Anxiety is Sneaky and Real
At first, they cry when you leave the room. Then they bark. Then they panic. It doesn’t mean they’re spoiled—it means they haven’t learned you’ll always come back.
Fix it: Short departures. No drama when you leave. Keep returns low-key.
Find What Motivates Them—It’s Not Always Food
Some dogs love treats. Mine? Total diva. She’d ignore steak for a squeaky llama toy.
Training trick: Use what they crave. Whether it’s a toy, praise, or a belly rub, find their currency.
Puppy Toy with frozen yogurt is an instant calm-down win.
Bonding Takes Time and Trust
Don’t panic if you don’t feel that instant soul connection. It builds in the small moments—when they crawl into your lap, follow you to the bathroom, or fall asleep under your chair.
One day, you’ll realize they trust you with their whole heart. That’s the moment everything shifts.
Consistency Beats Everything Else in Training
If one day “off” means “get off the couch” and the next day it means “off your leash,” your puppy will be just as confused as you are. Set clear rules. Stick with them.
Winter Potty Training is… an Olympic Event
Imagine standing outside, freezing wind, pup staring at you like, “Why are we doing this again?”
Gear up: Puppy Paw Balm, waterproof booties, and your warmest coat.
The Rewards? Beyond Anything You Can Imagine
It’s hard. But it’s also joy on four legs. You’ll laugh more. Get outside more. And when they curl up next to you, nose tucked into your side like you’re their whole world—it makes everything worth it.
Potty Training is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Accidents will happen. Don’t yell. Clean it, reset, and keep going. Every successful potty trip is progress, and every accident is just a reminder to adjust your timing.
Littermate Syndrome—Cute Idea, Tough Reality
Raising two puppies from the same litter seems like double the love. But it often turns into behavioral issues, poor bonding with humans, and serious training challenges.
Do your research. Or start with one pup and give them your full attention.
Stock Up on Supplies Before You Bring Them Home
You’ll want to be prepared with the basics: crate, bowls, food, toys, leash, and lots of cleaning supplies. Trust me—you don’t want to be caught unprepared mid-piddle.
Check out this Puppy Starter Kit with all the essentials.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But every product linked here is something I’ve personally used and loved during my own puppy adventure.
Final Woof
Getting a puppy isn’t just adding a pet—it’s inviting chaos, learning patience, and building the most rewarding relationship you’ll ever have. You’ll mess up. You’ll Google a lot. You’ll question your sanity more than once. But in between the muddy paws and shredded socks, there’s so much love you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Whether you’re in the thick of the puppy phase or just thinking about diving in, I hope this gave you the real scoop. You’ve got this. And that dog? They’ve already decided you’re their person.