Getting a pet can be a lot of work and quite the learning curve especially if you’re a first-time dog mom. I asked my audience on Instagram “what they wish they knew before getting a pet.” My audience shared a lot of great answers that I wish I knew before getting Teddy! I started this blog to share my experiences as a first-time dog mom in hopes the knowledge I’ve learned will help other dog parents not make the same mistakes I did. Below, you’ll find what other pet parents have learned along their journey and have shared with me. Hope it encourages you and shows that you are not alone on this journey as a pet parent.
What Pet Parents Wish They Knew Before Getting A Pet
I’ll go first: Teddy is the first dog ever in my life. And I wish I knew how expensive it is to get dogs groomed especially with a good groomer! I thought I would be the type of person who keeps their Yorkie/Maltese hair long. The joke is one me because long hair just means more maintenance.
@Hellorubydoodle
You should have pet insurance from day 1 because pre-existing conditions are a b*tch!
@Olivethetinymorkie
Grooming is so expensive! And also tough to find the right groomer!
@Runarchierun
I didn’t even think about grooming and how much it would cost before getting a dog! And how much brushing it takes to keep them mat free!
@Texaswigglebutts
Learning about raw feeding and a more holistic approach versus dry food and how beneficial it can be ❤️ (my last boxer passed from an internal tumor that went unnoticed as he didn’t show any symptoms other than pancreatitis (and nothing warranted an X-ray) I feel guilty because I think if I would have fed him raw, then maybe we would have had him longer)
@Rambothepuppy
I wish I was *prepared for* the vet bills that come along when your dog becomes a senior. he has a kidney condition and heart condition, and three specialists plus a primary vet. blood tests every few months plus office visits = an expensive little dude! i guess i wish i had invested in good pet insurance too.
@Chiffonthemaltipoo
One thing for me was knowing how to properly train separation anxiety so I could start from the beginning. It’s never too late but I think it would’ve been easier if mom knew to be more diligent about it from the start!
@Maggiewiththedogs
I wish I knew training was forever!! Very naive but I definitely thought I’d be done by a year old
@Indy.thecockapoo
I wish I’d known how in love I would be with him and the fact that I don’t ever want to be gone longer than 3 hrs and how hard it is to go on vacation without him!!!
@Sullivan_theaussiedoodle
When I got my first dog, Mojito, at 20, I wish I’d known to spend more time training him because it’s so hard to train bad habits out of older dogs! Now, with Sullivan, he’s at such an advantage for learning and the ability to travel with him.
@funkymoet
Not to worry about traveling with a dog!
@Avaandameliadoodles
I wish I knew how highly maintenance the floof is, though I went back for a second 🤪
@Petuniapickles_gsp
Puppies lose teeth. Obviously, of course they do!! But why was I SO horrified when I found the first one!! 😂
@Midwestmuttsco
I wish I knew was how to deal with reactivity. We have a havanese mix and he’s been reactive since the day we got him. He’s made huuuuge strides since (he’s now almost 2.5) but we’re just now seeing someone professional about it!
@Sofia_theminidoodle
wish I knew to socialize her more. She’s so shy! I love her as is but sometimes I feel bad that she doesn’t play with other pups.
@Karaconwaylove
I wish I’d known how much fun Therapy dog work would be. Our last dog, Cooper, would have been a great therapy dog!
@Redthedoubledood
I’ll be honest I didn’t realize how much maintenance goes into a long haired dog but I wouldn’t change a thing! 🥰
@Rarwsimba
I wish I knew that dogs are like kids – being a first time dog mom can be ruff 😅
@brie.cheese.doodle
I wish mom knew how to socialize me as puppy better despite the pandemic restrictions.
@Yoshi_the_cavalier
I wish I knew about using positive reinforcement only before I got my first boy. He was my heart dog but I definitely would have done a few things differently!
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