It’s not uncommon for households to catch a cute puppy at the park, prompting at least a few “Can we get one? Please?” requests from the children. While this is a sweet moment in most households, it’s also one that comes with a decision that should be carefully considered before the children settle on an answer.
A puppy means a 10-15 year commitment from the family. The decision to own a puppy affects a family’s schedule, finances, the home, and the lives of the children. Before making the decision to either get or not get a puppy for the children, consider the following to determine if the family is truly ready for such a commitment.
1. Do You Have the Time?
Puppies need far more hands-on time than adult dogs. Think:
- Potty training trips every 1-2 hours for young puppies
- Multiple short training sessions a day
- Supervised play so they don’t chew through your favorite shoes (or worse)
- Vet visits and vaccination schedules in the first few months
Be honest about your family’s actual weekly schedule — not the one you wish you had. If everyone is out of the house 10+ hours a day, a puppy may need to wait, or you’ll need a plan for daytime care.
2. Can You Handle the Cost?
The sticker price of a puppy is just the beginning. Budget for:
- Initial vet checks, vaccinations, and desexing/neutering
- Food, bedding, crate, and toys
- Ongoing vet care and pet insurance
- Training classes, especially for first-time dog owners
- Boarding or pet-sitting for trips
None of this needs to be scary — plenty of families manage it comfortably — but it’s much easier to plan for than to discover mid-year when the vet bill arrives.
3. Are Your Kids Old Enough (and Prepared)?
While kids can be great for puppies, age and temperament are also factors:
- Toddlers and preschoolers need supervision around puppies at all times.
- School-age children can take on the care of puppies.
- Teens can look after puppies but may lose motivation over time.
Assuming the adults will do 80% of the work is a good starting point. If they will do this and you are on board, you’ve got yourself a good puppy family.
4. Is Your Home Set Up for It?
Walk through your space with puppy eyes:
- Is there a secure, fenced area for a young dog to play safely?
- Do you rent? If so, does your lease actually allow pets — and are there size or breed restrictions?
- Do you have room for a crate, bed, and food area that won’t get disrupted by daily life?
Small adjustments now save a lot of stress later — puppy-proofing is much easier before the puppy arrives than during a chewed-up week one.
5. Does Everyone Actually Agree?
This sounds obvious, but it’s the step families skip most often. Sit down together and ask:
- Is everyone genuinely on board, or is one parent going along with it to keep the peace?
- Who is responsible for what, day to day?
- What’s the plan if the puppy turns out to be more work than expected?
A puppy that arrives on a wave of excitement but without real agreement is often the one that ends up being “mostly Mum’s dog” within a month.
6. Have You Thought About Breed and Size?
Not every dog breed is suitable for every family. For example, a high-energy dog breed may not be appropriate for a family that has limited space to allow the dog to exercise. Similarly, a breed that sheds a lot may not be appropriate for a family that wishes to minimize the shedding of the dog’s fur in the home. Consider your lifestyle and family in relation to these factors, not just to the appearance of the potential puppy candidates online.
So, Are You Ready?
If you’ve read through all of these points and you’ve found yourself nodding along (“yes” to each and every one) then you probably are ready for a puppy!
Just make sure that you look for reputable breeders when you get your puppy so that you can rest assured that you’re getting one that has been raised in good conditions, is free from health defects, and has a good temperament. Living in Sunshine Coast, we found ours on Petsforhomes and couldn’t be happier.
Or you might still be on the fence a little bit – which is perfectly fine! It’s always better to wait six more months than to have a puppy in your home before you’re truly ready for one.
