Ever heard the saying ‘Buy Cheap, Buy Twice’?
I literally live in walking shoes. They’re my footwear of choice that I wear every day to every occasion, and if I have to put on ‘smart’ shoes I’m not happy! Last year I needed a new pair of walking shoes and happened to find a pair in the sale that were relatively ‘cheap’, happy days!
But after two months these walking shoes were already damaged with a split in the sole! At face value they looked like a good pair of shoes but clearly were cheap and not made to last. I shouldn’t have bought on impulse, instead I should have gone with a trusted brand (or just rebought the same as my current pair) - yes I would’ve spent more money, but I would have got better quality.
My next pair were four times the price but are built to last and are still going strong (and super comfy) a year later.
So, does this logic apply to dog related products too? Is it worth spending a little more to ensure whichever product, accessory, or service you’re buying is quality and built to last or are things just overpriced?
Let’s explore a few common areas where is tempting to ‘buy cheap’!
Breeders
Unfortunately, not all dog breeders are equal in their care, ethics and reasons for breeding.
Whilst it may be tempting to save some money and buy a cheaper puppy, ask yourself WHY is the puppy so cheap when we know there has been a substantial increase in the price of puppies.
Responsible and ethical breeders are likely to invest time and therefore money to ensure their breeding bitches are healthy, tested and checked over prior to mating, they will also pay out a fee for a well-selected stud dog and devote their time (as we know time is money) to raising their litters with the utmost care and effort to ensure a well-socialised dog for the future.
A cheaper breeder is likely to have cut some corners in the above, and whilst they seem less expensive at the time of purchase, in the long run you may end up paying more for these dogs when health or behavioural issues develop.
Equipment
It’s not unreasonable to want to save some money by shopping for cheaper pet supplies, especially if you have a growing puppy but it might not always be wise to buy cheap items. Buying high-quality should ensure that it’s been built to last while also providing maximum comfort and safety for your dog. We recommend a number of training products and accessories from independent retailers and in our
online shop.
Trainers & Behaviourists
We’re all looking for a bargain, and whilst you need to find a trainer or behaviourist that is within your budget, it’s worth considering what underlying costs are involved:
Whilst a ‘cheaper’ service may well be good, for most who are offering training/behaviour work as a full time job, there will be many overheads as with any other businesses and hours of additional support given.
Ensure you compare like for like, some will charge you for one hour and that’s it, where others will see you for an hour but will also provide support and advice through groups, media, emails etc to support you every day!
If you find that your ideal trainer/behaviourist is a little on the expensive side, there are a few ways you can save. First, you can consider
group classes as they’re cheaper than individual classes. Do they offer online courses/support or ongoing programmes, or can you do a hybrid of training at home yourself and paying for
1-2-1 support to help you with specific problem areas.
Food & Treats
The range is cost of dog food can be anything from 50p - £3 per day for an average sized dog.
Why is the cheaper food so cheap? Usually because it’s made with cheaper, low quality ingredients, on a highly commercial basis with a large volume of food produced. As there are minimal regulations on dog food, it’s possible to create a cheaper food using fillers, preservatives, meat from diseased (or euthanized) animals, synthetic vitamins, fat, and toxins and rely on good marketing to sell your product.
More expensive food and treats will obviously cost you more BUT the food will be highly nutritious, use high quality ingredients, often cooked in smaller batches at lower heats which in production terms is more costly.
Feeding a lower quality diet can compromise your dog’s nutritional needs and lead to a risk in cancer, obesity, kidney disease and diabetes to name a few so although it’s cheap it could end up costing more in medicines and vet fees down the road.
You can check out the nutritional rating of dog food at
www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk
Love things that last
The point we’re trying to express is simply - don't opt to buy the 'on-sale' or cheap item with every purchase you make without researching WHY things are so cheap. If you want quality, long lasting products it may cost more initially but in the long run it’ll be a better investment when you don’t have to replace it as soon as you would have with a cheaper item.
Take time to research, read reviews and get recommendations before you make any purchase.
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Potter Paws Dog Trainer in Buckinghamshire.
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