How much do small dogs cost a year/month?

Grooming a dog is not the same thing as cutting a person's hair. Anatomy is different, styles are different, and a dog doesn't sit/stand completely still. Need different kind of clippers and blades, too. A decent pair runs $150 or more, blades another $100 or so depending. Dog also needs bum clipped (which can be gross.)

Mom may not want to deal with that so you better factor in grooming costs just in case!

Moving on!

I changed some of the costs based on my experiences. Whatever i feel is about right, i left alone. Keep in mind that buying in bulk will make "monthly" costs useless and you'll just end up spending more $$ per bulk buy. First time buys are just that, first time. Some things you put as "monthly" are really just "as needed".

First time:

- Dog: $200

- Crate: $50

- Toys: $20

- Food: $35

- Collar/leash: $20

- ID tag: $15

- Food/Treats: $50

- Flea/Tick/Heartworm: $25

- Wellness Check: $50

TOTAL First time dog costs about $465.

Monthly:

- Food/Treats: $25

- Flea/Tick/Heartworm: $20

TOTAL monthly costs about $45+

Bi-Monthly:

- Grooming: $30

- Toys: $20

TOTAL Bi-Monthly costs about $50

Yearly:

- Vet (Minor Issues): $500

TOTAL Yearly costs around $500

And for vet stuff, $300 isn't enough. All dogs need a wellness check so there's $50 off (if not more - shelter dogs occasionally have parasites that require treatment.) That's leaves $250. Even a minor medical issue can deplete that in one go. My dog had the runs once, with blood, and i spent $200 at the vet before it cleared up.

You need to have around $500 ALWAYS available and you need to keep putting money away per month to build on that. I also suggest $500 or more to be saved for serious medical emergencies.

First time: Dog(around 200 - yes, depending on whether the dog has all of its shots or not, my puppies were $350 each but came with the first two rounds of boosters, as well as a free coupon for a spay at a nice clinic), bed(20 - sure), toys(20 - probably NOT this cheap, sorry but in the beginning you will need to buy a variety of toys to get a feel for what your dog likes. Be prepared to spend at least $10 on each different kind of toy : plushie, ball, rope, plastic chew, rubber chew. Also, you don't want to buy cheap toys, or they will come apart easily and your dog could choke or get a blockage for which he will need surgery. So it's best to set aside 100 for toys in the first month, you'll probably find you want to buy more after you realize what kind he likes! Also, chews are very important for a dogs dental health. In addition to chew toys he should have chewy edibles like flossies, or bully sticks, or deer antlers These are usually around 6-10 each, they are great for dogs teeth and they are also great at keeping your dog occupied!), treats(5 - NOpe, sorry more like 15 for a first time buy, you'll need to get hard and soft treats, the soft treats for training and the hard treats for light training/ repitition training), food-Chicken Soup brand-35 lb(35 - i'd try Orijen it's $17 for a smaller bag. orijen is an award winning dog food from canada), flea treats(13.95 - you can buy an anti-flea & parasite medication that you put on the skin once a month for $30 it's really easy and you don't have to do two separate medications and it's topical so it just absorbs into the skin, very easy.), collar/leash(20 - a nice nylon collar is going to be around 14 and a nice 6 ft leash will be 7 so yes...), heartguard-year supply(48), ID tag(5), doggie coat(15 - you might not need this if the weather is good outside. Also, dogs that are small and are shaky outside are nto necessarily cold, their body temperature is on average around 100 degrees Farenheit, if they shake its because they are nervous but you can get a little sweater just to comfort them.). I already have food/water dishes. some of this stuff you could get cheaper, but i want to get quality supplies so i don't have to spend as much money replacing it.

You're going to need a lot more than $300 for vet visit, your dog could get mange from mites or other kinds of illnesses that are unexpected and you could be taking your dog to a vet more often than you think, each visit wil cost a minimum of $50 probably, plus whatever you get prescribed. Also, the rabies vaccine is hardcore so if your dog has averse reaction to it, or if your dog gets hurt over he weekend or when the vet is closed you wil have to take it to an emergency vet which will cost triple what you're used to paying.

I'd consider a grand for vet bills in the first year. That's important, and if you don't end up spending that much great. Just don't plan on skimping on vet visits.

I'm doing basic obedience right now. My trainer hasn't once handled my dog. He has shown me how to handle my dog by using his own dog but that's about it. The reasoning is that I need to learn how to do these basic corrections and what not myself. Learn more https://tr.im/XCvCx

I have never considered sending my dog away for training. I guess I haven't found that much of a problem with him to even think about it.

Again, it may also have to do with the level of training you are looking for etc. No idea lol. I'm not a trainer. I think a first time dog owner needs to learn simple commands and how to handle their dog themselves as well.

It could come out to being even more than that ... vet bills alone cost me almost $1,500 one year. Maybe look into getting a vet discount program, such as Pet Assure, or United Pet Care.