Complete Guide to Buying a Puppy or Dog Online

Rehoming a dog, puppy or any other animals comes with responsibilities. Firstly, it’s important to assess whether you will make a good dog owner and if you can provide the forever home that your potential canine companion needs. It sounds harsh, but some situations aren’t ideal for owning a puppy. Perhaps you don’t have the necessary time to devote to training and caring for a pet right now. It’s worth using online resources to figure out if your home, work situation, holiday plans and more will make you a suitable dog owner.

To decide whether you can afford the lifelong commitment of owning a dog, we’ve taken a look at all of the costs of owning a dog.

Ask your nearest and dearest about their experiences with dog-owning and whether they think you’d be good with a dog. You may even find they raise important points about aspects of dog ownership you’ve never considered before.

Before you begin your search, research what kind of breeds might suit you. It’s easy to fall for just about any breed thanks to all those cute pictures. But you don’t want to buy a dog that’s the wrong size for your home or perhaps needs more exercise than you thought. Take online quizzes, read up on different breeds, talk to neighbours and friends who own dogs – all of these will help you get to know the different breeds and their personalities.

It’s also a great idea to dog-sit or walk someone else’s dog multiple times before you consider rehoming a dog or puppy.

If you’ve found a potential seller online, check all the available information in depth. Then, ask for more information from the breeder. Can they send you videos or photos? Are they available to talk on the phone? Can they give you extra information about the dog’s parents? Anything you can think of asking will help you not only learn more about the dog, but understand how serious and professional the owner is too.

You’ll need to really look into the person or institution you’re buying your dog from. Check all their credentials, look for reviews or people’s experience online and get to know them a little bit too.

It’s essential to meet your pup and their family before rehoming a dog. Of course, you should take all the usual precautions before meeting anyone you don’t know, but it’s an indispensable part of getting to know your potential pet. You need to know if your personalities mesh.

Remember, dogs are for life. Hopefully, your new puppy or dog will be with you, bringing joy to your life, for years to come. With that in mind, don’t rush into a decision. Whether you’re rescuing, taking on a dog from someone who can’t care for them anymore, or buying a puppy, getting a canine companion should never be an impulse decision.

All paperwork for your new pet should be immaculate and you’ll need to really check it. If you’re not sure what you should be looking at, you can ask a friend with relevant experience or your local vet for advice on what to look out for.

Finally, and especially if you’re considering taking a dog on your own, take someone you trust with you to meet your potential puppy again. A second pair of eyes is always useful.

If you’ve never owned a dog before, be sure to check out our guide to the best dogs for first time owners.

If you’ve got your heart set on a dog and have a loving home to offer, you can find puppies and dogs for sale on Gumtree. Be sure to take your time and do your research – you could find a furry new family member.