Puppy Mill vs Breeder: Important Things to Know Before Getting Your Own Puppy
July 25, 2022
Written by: Perfect Petzzz
Four puppies Siberian Husky. Litter dogs in the hands of the breeder. Newborn puppies with eyes closed
Puppy Mill vs Breeder: Important Things to Know Before Getting Your Own Puppy
Knowing the differences between puppy mills and reputable breeders is crucial if you’re thinking of getting a puppy. Unfortunately, not all breeders are created equal, and some may have ulterior motives than just finding good homes for their puppies, especially in the puppy mill industry. This is why knowing who you can trust when looking for a new pet can prove difficult.
In this blog post, we’ll outline the key differences between puppy mills and legitimate breeders so that you can make an informed decision before bringing a new furry friend into your home. We’ll also list the important things you need to know to prepare you for actual pet ownership.
How to Spot a Puppy Mill vs a Breeder
It’s important to do your research and find a responsible breeder if you’re in the market for a new puppy. Unfortunately, there are also many puppy mills out there that churn out puppies without any regard for their welfare. So how can you actually spot the differences between a responsible breeder and a mill? Here is a list of key differences between puppy mills and reputable breeders.
What Is a Puppy Mill?
Puppy mills or puppy farms are dog breeding facilities that typically prioritize profit over the welfare of the dogs and puppies they breed. They often mass-produce puppies in unsanitary and inhumane conditions, with little to no regard for their health or well-being. In addition, the puppies’ parents are usually kept in cramped cages and may be given inadequate food and water.
Their operations maximize profit by maintaining low overhead costs and ignoring any health issues affecting the dogs and puppies. For instance, they leave the animals in poor conditions that lead to untreated parasites, dehydration, malnourishment, or illnesses. Furthermore, the training methods they use for the dogs involve harsh discipline, like hitting or even kicking, when they deem the dogs’ behavior incorrect.
What Is a Legitimate Dog Breeder?
Legitimate dog breeders breed dogs responsibly and prioritize animal welfare over making huge revenue. They are passionate about dogs, so they know a lot about the different dog breeds and their characteristics. Additionally, they usually have a smaller number of dogs to ensure that they are all healthy and well-cared for.
Responsible dog breeders aim to produce healthy, well-tempered puppies that make great pets. They practice responsible breeding methods and carefully select each parent dog for their health, temperaments, and conformation to the breed standard.
Breeding dogs is a lot of work and takes a lot of time and money, so a licensed breeder will only breed a few litters each year. In addition, good breeders will also be committed to finding good homes for all their puppies and will interview prospective buyers to make sure they are a good match. They will also provide their buyers with information about the dog breed, health clearances, and registration papers.
Here’s How You Can Spot a Puppy Mill
The sellers offer a variety of dog breeds, including new or rare breeds.
Their puppies are being sold online or through pet stores.
They have no problem selling puppies even before they reach eight weeks old.
The sellers do not allow you to meet the breeding parents or view their business facility, or they want to complete the sale in a public place.
If you are allowed in the breeding facility, you can see that it’s not well-maintained, and many dogs or puppies are cramped in spaces with no room to run around.
You cannot meet the puppy’s parents because the sellers refuse to let you.
The sellers do not give you important information about the puppy, including health clearances and registration papers.
What You Should Know Before Closing the Deal with a Breeder
You’ve done enough research and are finally ready to get a puppy. But before you hand over the cash, there are a few things you should know about closing the deal with a breeder. First, take some time to tour the breeder’s facility and meet the staff. This will give you a sense of their operation and help you feel more comfortable with the purchase.
Additionally, be sure to get all of the breeder’s contact information, including their name, address, and phone number. You’ll need these in case you have any questions or problems after taking your new dog home.
Finally, make sure a legal document is ready for you to sign. This document should outline the terms of the sale, including the price and any guarantees being offered. You can check the American Kennel Club for more information about it and other animal-related topics.
By following these tips, you can be sure you’re getting a healthy, happy puppy from a good breeder.
How to Prepare Yourself for Pet Ownership
The joy of owning a puppy is hard to beat, but before you go out and get your new pup, there are some things every responsible pet owner needs to take into consideration. It’s crucial to ensure that you are fully prepared before bringing your new furry friend home. Here are a few things you’ll need to prepare yourself before becoming a pet owner:
Make sure that you can afford the cost of owning a puppy.
Owning a puppy is a big responsibility and not one to be taken lightly. In addition to the initial purchasing expenses, there are ongoing costs like food, veterinary care, and supplies. Furthermore, you will need to consider annual vaccinations, grooming, and training expenses.
Get ready to be committed and allot enough time to take care of a puppy.
You need to be prepared to dedicate the required amount of time and energy to care for a puppy. A lot of attention and supervision are important factors in caring for a puppy. So before bringing home your new furry friend, be sure you’re prepared to handle the extra responsibility.
Aside from the daily feeding and walks, puppies need a lot of playtime and training. In addition, they need to be trained, which can take some patience. Puppies also need to be vaccinated properly and checked by a veterinarian regularly. They’re also prone to chewing and other mischievous behaviors, so you’ll need to be patient and consistent in your discipline.
Practice before getting a puppy and bringing it home with you
Practicing how to take care of a puppy ahead of time will better equip you to handle everything that comes with raising a happy and healthy pup. There are a lot of things you can do to practice taking care of an actual puppy. One of the most effective ways is to get a Perfect Petzzz interactive pet toy.
Perfect Petzzz offers puppy lovers a chance to practice pet ownership on its lifelike toy puppies. This is a great opportunity before bringing an actual puppy home, along with the responsibilities of owning it.
When you first bring your puppy home, it is important to create a suitable living space for your puppy. It will need a comfortable, safe, and clean place to sleep and play. The most effective way to do this is to create a puppy pen. It’s a fenced area where your puppy can safely explore and play.
The puppy pen should be big enough for your puppy to move around in and have a soft surface to lay on. It’s also a good idea to include some toys and chew bones to keep your puppy entertained. Additionally, you should put its food and water bowl in the puppy pen so it can eat and drink whenever it wants.
Ensure that you know proper and effective ways to train your puppy
Training will help your puppy learn important obedience commands and can also be a bonding experience for you and your pet. There are basic things you must teach your puppy. You can begin with simple commands like come, sit, and stay. And make sure you praise your pup lavishly when they do what you ask. Potty training them is also very important.
However, you must remember that your training sessions should be short and delicate because puppies have a short attention span. It’s also important to be consistent in your commands because if you use different words for the same command, your puppy will get confused. Finally, be patient because training a puppy takes time and patience.
Final Thoughts
It’s crucial to search for important pet-related information and be prepared before getting yourself a puppy. So you should know how to tell if the breeder you’re purchasing the puppy from is reputable instead of a puppy mill owner. You must also ensure that you are ready to dedicate enough commitment to the responsibilities of having a pet. We hope that this article will help you make the right decisions when it comes to pet ownership. If you’re interested in other pet-related topics or products, feel free to explore our website. You can purchase interactive pet toys as soon as you want at Perfect Petzzz.com.
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