First dog: the 7 mistakes almost everyone makes

In the first six months after getting a dog, 30% of new owners say they would do things differently. Not because they got the wrong dog — but because there were things they didn't know. Here are the seven most common mistakes, so you can skip them.

1. Choosing the breed on looks

The Husky looks beautiful in photos. The Border Collie is smart. The Dalmatian is iconic thanks to a cartoon. But none of these breeds is suitable for someone who isn't ready for them. A Husky doesn't bark — it howls and yodels, sometimes for hours. A Border Collie gnaws at your interior when bored. A Dalmatian has more energy than most people expect. Always choose based on character, lifestyle and needs — not how the dog looks on Instagram.

2. Postponing training

The first weeks are fun and exhausting simultaneously — and many people think: training can come later. But a pup learns from day one. Behaviour you allow in week one is harder to correct in week twelve. Basic commands — sit, come, place, off — you can start directly with a pup of eight weeks. Sessions of two to five minutes, several times a day, with reward-based training. Consistency is everything: what you don't allow, the rest of the household doesn't allow either.

3. Underestimating how much time it takes

A pup needs almost constant supervision in the first weeks. Learning house training takes four to eight weeks — with accidents. Training requires daily attention. Walks happen in rain, cold and wind too. If you work full-time without a care solution: reconsider the timing of getting a dog, or sort out care first. Leaving a pup alone for eight hours is not a choice — it's neglect.

4. Missing the socialisation period

The sensitive period of three to fourteen weeks is decisive for how the dog responds to the world for the rest of its life. Puppies that have positive experiences with children, dogs, bicycles, noise, silence and strangers during that period are more stable as adults. Don't miss that period. Take the pup to busy places — even if not fully vaccinated, it can be carried or put in a bag. A new positive impression every day is not a luxury, it's a necessity.

5. Leaving alone too long

Dogs are social animals. More than four hours alone is too much for most dogs — especially pups and breeds with strong social needs. Honestly assess what your day looks like. Dog sitter, doggy daycare or working from home are solutions, but they cost €15–€35 per day. Plan that in advance so it's not a surprise.

6. Having no financial buffer

Setbacks are not theoretical: a swallowed toy costs €800–€2,000 in surgery. A broken bone after falling off the couch: €1,500–€3,000. People without a financial buffer end up in an impossible position. Keep at least €2,000 aside — or take out insurance that covers those risks. That's the most concrete preparation you can make.

7. Not anticipating the breed

A Border Terrier barks. A Beagle pulls on the leash. A Rottweiler needs leadership. A Dachshund is stubborn. These are not deviations — this is the breed. Read up, talk to owners, visit a dog school before buying. Take the matcher and read the "What nobody tells you" section on the breed profile. That section exists for exactly this purpose: to say the things other sites don't say.