I must admit, like every other American, I’ve been inclined to watch Jon and Kate once or twice. I usually enjoy watching Jon and Kate try to take on their eight children, but a recent episode struck me as a bit alarming. John and Kate decided to buy not one, but two German Shepherd puppies for Christmas. A puppy should never be present. Deciding to add a dog to your family should be a well thought out decision. A puppy is a huge, long-lasting, and expensive commitment. It was completely irresponsible of Jon and Kate to be so unprepared and bring two dogs home on a whim. There are so many things to consider before you even think about adopting or buying a dog.

You must first ask yourself why you want a pet. You should consider that a dog can live from 10 to 20 years. Adopting a dog because your kids have been picking on you about one can end up being a big mistake. Jon and Kate have two eight-year-olds and six four-year-olds. Children this young will not be able to take care of those two puppies alone. You have to understand that you will be responsible for the care of your dogs throughout their lives. This can be quite expensive, especially if your dog gets sick.

Dogs, especially puppies, can get into a lot of trouble if not properly supervised. Apparently the Gosselins have a problem with that, as shortly after they brought their dogs home, their pup, Nala, ended up having surgery because she ate one of the boy’s toys. It was pretty obvious that Jon wasn’t listening to the vets after Nala’s surgery care instructions. After bringing Nala home, he was allowed to go out and wrestle Shooka, the male cub, without supervision. Any good pet owner knows that playing, running, or anything that can tear stitches is a big no-no after surgery.

A puppy should never be an impulse buy. He should research different breeds and if he decides to get a purebred dog he should always research breeders. You should never get a dog from a backyard breeder like Jon and Kate did. Just being registered with the AKC is not enough. A good breeder respects that getting a dog is an extremely important decision and will not pressure you to bring home a puppy. Jon and Kate could have used this opportunity to adopt a dog from the shelter. According to PetFinder.com, there are more than 7,000 German Shepherds and German Shepherd mixes available for adoption. With so many shelter dogs waiting for a forever home, prospective pet owners should consider visiting their local animal shelter before purchasing from a breeder.

Deciding to add a dog to your family is a wonderful yet stressful event. You should always make sure you have the room, time, and financial means to care for your pet throughout its life. Jon and Kate have set the perfect example of how not to have a puppy. For more information on how to successfully adopt a pet, you can visit Pet Finder or contact your local animal rescue organization. Once you’ve made the decision to get a dog or a puppy, you can find everything you need and more, from dog collars to dog clothing, at Doggie Vogue.