Puppies v adults
All my life I have always had dogs that I got from the shelter as adults. I would like to get a Kai pup. Never having raised a dog from a puppy, I was wondering what I am looking at as far as vet/shot costs, development stages, proper socialization, food changes, etc. Really anything that I should be prepared for in raising a pup to adulthood. Thanks
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In all seriousness, it depends on sooooooo many factors. Where you live being the biggest one, & if you're lucky that your pup has no health problems being another.
For example, Fate, our shikoku cost us near $4k in vet bills total. About $500 for regular puppy stuff, then he came with whipworms too...fun! Then he broke the very tiny .5" tip of his elbow. That was $3k in surgery right there [ at a vet school / teaching hospital too ] & we haven't even gotten him neutered yet.
Dragoon, our kishu, was not nearly as bad as Fate, however, still costly. She had an ear infection that took forever to go away, somehow got tape worms [ I think it was tapeworms, can't remember ], & a rash that wont go away. [ 95% sure it's environmental allergy ] She was about $1.2k in vet costs [ with medicine ] & then $300 for her spay.
Wraith, our Dutch Shepherd, thank God, was healthy & had no issues. He was around $500. He's not neutered yet.
& Aggro, our new dutchie pup...well...we'll see. LOL
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As far as food, all my pups start out on kibble then switch over to raw anywhere from 4 - 6 months of age. Every now & then I'll stick them back on kibble for a couple of weeks before I remember how much I hate it & switch back to raw lol So all that to say, I'm not 100% sure how much the cost difference is for food. That said, if you can do raw, go for it. It costs us about $110 to feed 3 dogs raw. [ 75lbs, 25lbs, & 33lbs dogs ] They poop a LOT less, drink a lot less water, & don't smell. [ I'm super sensitive to doggy odors, as are my family, & everyone is always shocked how my dogs don't have that "Doggy odour" unless they're wet ]
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As far as Obedience classes & the like...I didn't do any with any of my pups. I taught them basic obedience at home...sit, stay, down, etc. I did, however, join a protection sport club for the two dutchies & plan on bringing the Nihon Ken just for fun
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As far as socialization, developmental stages...always socialize. Don't ever stop. However, each dog is different, & they will guide you. Dragoon, our kishu, was HORRIBLE with people. She would bark & even growl at them no matter what we did. So I stopped socializing her, then when she hit about 4/5 months old, I noticed she had calmed down. So I started actively socializing again and from there she just got better & better. I think if I had continued to try to push her as a small pup, she just would've gotten worse & worse. It was almost like she was self-reinforcing herself.
They also go through a fear phase & rebellious phase when they hit about 4 - 8 months of age. I think this depends on the dog as well. Wraith & Dragoon didn't hit a fear phase, [ & in Dragoon's case, I don't think she will ] However, Fate did. That wasn't fun. To give you an idea of how it went, for a month he refused to walk through the house. Then for a couple of weeks he never wanted to leave his crate. A few weeks after that, he never wanted to go in it. With some time & patience, he got through it, & doesn't have that problem anymore at all, however, you never know what will happen! lol Everyone's dog reacts differently.
Rebellious phase...most go through one, or at least, I have with mine. Fate's lasted a couple of weeks. Dragoon's lasted a month & I think there's still a little left. Wraith was a few weeks...however, at just over 2 years old he's hitting one again lol Good times! haha
So to sum up, each pup is going to be so different. Even amongst the same breed. Shoot, even amongst littermates. @brada1878 's Kishin loved people right off the bat, whereas Dragoon, his sister, HATED them!
Shoot, our new pup is Wraith's 1/2 brother [ same sire ] & even they have two totally different personalities.
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Anyway, I guess I best stop now before this becomes an essay
For example, when the puppy has to go out every 2 hours, it's hour 2 & he's passed out asleep...do you wake him up to go potty, or do you leave him be? No ever told me about that scenario! hahaha
So yeah, read, research, ask a ton of questions...I'm not saying don't do that. Just don't be surprised when your puppy does the total opposite of what you read
Best of luck! Don't ever be afraid to ask questions. Watching these little puppies grow up into themselves is amazing, & sooooo rewarding.
[ oh, & don't ever forget...puppies are cute for a reason!!!! So you don't kill them!! LOL ] ~
I am SO proud of you! I wish I was that smart so early in my dog owning life~!
cost of actual puppy:
-low: 1000
-high:2500
pet deposit:
option of no deposit
-low: 250
-high:1000
toys. treats crates. collars, leashes, bowls....
-low: 100
-high:1000
grooming....
-option of no grooming
-low:40
-high:150
classes....
option of no classes
low-75
high:150
food
-low: 360
-high:700
-raw diet:????
lowest total:1460
lower total:1815
higher total with high pet deposit: 3000 - 5,000
higher total without pet deposit: 4500
now, Toki had a few extra vet bills partly because I am a newbie (Toki is my first dog), so I freak out at every little thing, but one time he actually had a good reason to go to the vet. ONE TIME. Sooo.... if you are going to be a hypochondriac for your dog, assume to pay a lot more for extra vet bills.
for a second puppy, it'll be a little bit cheaper considering I have all the crates, collars, toys, ect.. and I'll have more experience under my belt (which means less hypochondria). But just a little.
So thank you for letting me learn from your experience.
Conker... Hmm.
Shelter fee was... A couple hundred.
Crate cost $12 at a thrift store. Leash, bowls, harnesses, and collars were cheap since I worked at a petshop when I got him and got a discount. So, maybe about $30 for all that.
Vet bills have cost me about $250 so far. Yeah, not much.
Food on the other hand... I have spent over $600 this year alone and it's only half over. I didn't spend that much when he was a pup, but then again, I was just getting started with his digestive issues.
Then there's stuff like his Ruff Wear harness/pack, various collars I have had to replace (I just use old thrift store belts now. They are $2 each and I cut them to the length I need), and his toys. Maybe add in another $50-$75 for that.
I have not taken him to any training classes (buildings freak him out bad). He is going to take a 4 week CGC class this September in a park. But, it's free...
So, while I haven't spent too much on Conker since I am a clearance/sale-hound and never pay full price for anything, I do think he cost more than Juneau and Sasha did as far as purchase, gear, and vet bills go.
HOWEVER, if you factor in the cost of how many times we had to replace the sprinkler system (at least 5) when Juneau and Sasha were pups, they may very well beat Conker in terms of money spent.
Socialization with Conker has been hit or miss. It was a breeze with Juneau and Sasha who loved everyone from the day we got them. They are kinda iffy with other dogs, since we didn't do much of that. They need an adjustment period and most of the time people aren't willing to stand around and let the dogs get used to each other before the even sniff. (Same goes with Conker, but especially with people.)
Food can also be pricey! we do a mix of Acana and raw.
Classes- we did a puppy class with Andrea Arden (very good, but $$$), and nosework. Be prepared to spend a few hundred there. Also look for puppy play groups - the socialization is SO important! our guy is friendly to a fault sometimes..
And of course, I am always buying him cute collars and such