Is a Lagotto Romagnolo Puppy Right for You? What to Know Before Bringing One Home

Bringing home a puppy is exciting. Nothing is quite like those first few days of getting to know a new little personality, watching your puppy explore your home, and imagining all the years ahead together.

But puppies are also a lot of work.

We think it is important for families to know that before they bring one home. We never want to discourage someone from getting a puppy, but we also do not want to present puppy ownership as nothing but cuddles, cute pictures, and playful moments. Those things are certainly part of it, but so are early mornings, accidents on the floor, chewed-up belongings, training frustrations, and days when you wonder if your puppy will ever settle down.

The good news is that this season does not last forever, and the work you put in during the first months can have an enormous impact on the dog your puppy becomes.

Your Schedule Will Change

Puppies do not arrive knowing your routine. For the first several weeks, your day will revolve around frequent trips outside, meals, naps, training, and supervision.

Young puppies cannot hold their bladder for very long, so potty training requires consistency. There will probably be accidents even when you are doing everything right. You may also find yourself getting up earlier than you would like or making one last trip outside before bed.

It can feel demanding, but consistency usually pays off quickly.

Puppies Explore With Their Mouths

Puppies bite, chew, grab, and investigate almost everything with their mouths.

That may include shoes, furniture, kids’ toys, socks, hands, and anything else they can reach. Puppy biting is normal, but that does not mean you simply have to endure it. Puppies need to learn what they are allowed to chew and how to interact appropriately with people.

Having plenty of appropriate chew toys, redirecting consistently, and supervising your puppy will save everyone a lot of frustration.

And yes, you should probably put your favorite shoes away for a while.

Training Takes Repetition

Your puppy will not understand everything after being shown once or twice.

“Come,” “sit,” “leave it,” walking nicely on a leash, settling down in the house, and learning appropriate boundaries all take repetition. Some days you will feel like your puppy is making incredible progress. Other days it may seem as though they have forgotten everything they learned.

That is normal.

Puppy training is less about having one perfect training session and more about hundreds of small, consistent interactions over time.

Socialization Is Important—and It Takes Intention

The first months of a puppy’s life are incredibly important. Puppies need positive exposure to different people, sounds, surfaces, environments, car rides, grooming, other appropriate dogs, and everyday life.

Socialization does not simply mean meeting as many dogs and people as possible. The goal is to help your puppy experience the world in a safe and positive way so that new situations become normal rather than frightening.

That requires some intentional effort from a puppy’s family, but it is one of the best investments you can make.

There Will Be an Adolescent Stage

One thing new puppy owners are sometimes surprised by is that the challenging stage does not necessarily end when potty training does.

As puppies grow into adolescents, they may test boundaries, become more energetic, suddenly seem distracted, or temporarily “forget” behaviors they previously knew. This is another normal part of development.

Consistency through this stage matters. The adorable eight-week-old puppy eventually becomes a teenage dog before becoming the mature companion you pictured when you first brought them home.

Puppies Cost More Than the Purchase Price

Families should also plan for the ongoing financial responsibility of owning a dog.

Food, veterinary care, vaccinations, grooming, training classes, supplies, parasite prevention, and unexpected medical expenses all add up over the life of a dog. With a Lagotto Romagnolo, regular grooming is particularly important because of their curly coat.

We encourage families to think beyond the initial puppy price and make sure they are prepared for the long-term commitment.

It Is Worth It

After listing all of those challenges, we still believe there is something incredibly rewarding about raising a puppy.

The puppy who wakes you up early eventually learns your household routine. The puppy who chews everything eventually learns what belongs to them. The puppy who cannot focus during training eventually begins looking to you for direction.

And somewhere along the way, you realize that the puppy you were constantly supervising has become part of your family.

That transformation does not happen automatically. It comes through patience, consistency, training, affection, and a willingness to work through some frustrating moments.

Our goal is not simply to place puppies in homes. We want to place puppies with families who understand what they are taking on and are ready to make a long-term commitment.

A puppy is wonderful—but a puppy is also work.

If you go into it expecting both, you will be much better prepared to enjoy the journey.

Still Want a Puppy?

If you made it through all of that and are still thinking, Yes, we want a puppy, we would love to hear from you!

We are expecting to have a pregnant mama toward the end of September 2026 and are excited about the possibility of another Lagotto NW litter.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to be considered for one of our puppies, fill out the Contact Us form on our website or text Greg at (360) 977-3484.

We would be happy to answer your questions and help you decide whether a Lagotto Romagnolo is the right fit for your family.