Why people return dogs they’ve bought or adopted
Are you really, really, really sure you want a dog? People who return a dog or puppy are more likely to do it within the first 15 days of adoption, according to new research.
To me, this shows that far too many of us don’t do enough research – if any – when we buy, adopt or rescue a dog. The new dog owners in the study told investigators that their biggest mistake was not devoting more time, thought and planning into the process of getting a dog. The more you learn about the Morkie’s parents, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese dog, the better you’ll understand the Morkie.
Four questions to ask yourself before you get a Morkie
1. Am I acting on impulse or am I ready for the commitment?
Although the temptation of a cute puppy can be very strong, understanding the long-term commitment that comes with dog ownership can prevent unwanted stress and heartache for both the pet and owner.
2. Does my lifestyle suit a Morkie?
Ask yourself: How much time will I have for my Morkie?- Where will my Morkie stay when I’m out?
- And, you can expect some destructive behaviour with any puppy — chewing and scratching as well as eliminating indoors. This can be frustrating, but it comes with the territory.
- Are you ready to work with your new puppy to fix these behaviours?
- How much time do you have for house training and obedience training?
- Do you have enough space for exercise? Easy access to outdoors?
- Will your neighbours flip out about some barking?
- When it comes to “ideal dogs for apartments,” the Yorkie rarely makes the list automatically – because they tend to be barkers. So if your Morkie is a lot of Yorkie, this might be a deal breaker. However, the good news is you can learn to deal with your Morkie’s barking with: enough exercise playtime and attention when you are available.
- Proper training
- Dogs — even toy dogs like Morkies — need lots of outdoor time. But you can’t just put the dog in the yard, left alone, otherwise dogs will typically amuse themselves by digging, barking and chewing. Your new dog needs WALKS on a leash.
3. Is everyone in the family ready for a new pet?
It should be a family decision – since getting a dog affects everyone. How old are your kids? What are their future plans? And no matter how much they beg you, don’t believe for a minute that kids will really ‘look after the dog’ by walking, feeding and cleaning up.
While Morkies can be rambunctious and spunky dogs, they’re not for small children because they’re too tiny and often fragile.
4. Can I afford a Morkie?
Small to medium-sized dogs (from about 5 to 50 pounds and under) tend to live longer than large to giant breeds, therefore cost more.
Along with the basics, most owners are tempted to buy the extras for their Morkies, which can really add up. Remember, the life span of individual dogs can vary, so the figure below is only a rough average. Lifespan depends mostly on how well dogs are taken care of (food, exercise) and whether they see a Veterinarian for checkups regularly.
On-going costs to own a dog include:
- food
- vet bills, medications
- grooming and/or shampoos, brushes, etc.
- dog license
- leashes and collar
- pet sitters, training and boarding
- ….and all those toys and maybe even cute clothes 🙂
Not counting the initial cost of the dog itself, here’s a rough average of what a small to medium size dog will cost over its lifetime:
Small to medium-sized dogs
Estimated life span: 14 years
First year: $740 to $1,325
Estimated annual costs thereafter: $500 to $875
Total cost over a dog’s lifetime is about $7,240 to $12,700.
So you’ve decided you’re ready for a dog… now, is the Morkie the right one for you?
1. It can be a real challenge to find a GOOD QUALITY Morkie – you do not want to support puppy mills in their unscrupulous businesses.
2. What you feed your Morkie is extremely important.
3. Morkies have hereditary health problems just like any purebred dog.
4. Morkies can bark a lot because they’re half terrier (that’s the Yorkie side).
5. Morkies can be harder to housebreak than many small breeds (it’s the Maltese side).
6. Morkies can be needy and can suffer from separation anxiety.
7. Morkies are fragile. They can be easily injured and aren’t ideal for families with small children.
Want to know more about Morkies?
READ more about my FREE, no-obligation ebook, 7 Things You Need to Know Before You Get a Morkie. Download it right away and read on your computer, smart phone or tablet.