Things to Consider Before Getting a Dog

Having a dog for a pet is a truly rewarding experience. Besides, dogs are not called “man’s best friend” for nothing. Dogs are great companion and loyal as long as you give them enough love and affection.

Planning on getting a dog? Keep in mind that dogs are wonderful creatures that deserve care and it is not fair to take them home only to find out that they don’t fit well. Find out the things to consider before getting a dog so you don’t make the same mistake most people do.

Financial Consideration

Yes… Finance is on top of the list to consider before getting a pet dog especially during this time of economic down turn. Are you financially prepared for the costs of owning a dog? If you have no idea what the average cost of pet ownership is, then you might want to consider a pet rock. It only requires occasional cleaning and dusting. But dogs can cost hundreds of dollars every year for food, medical care, veterinary pet insurance, pet accessories, and grooming which goes on and on for 12-15 years. So if you are having difficulty making both ends meet right now without a pet, it would be best to wait until you are financially ready.

Lifestyle

Dogs are social creatures too and they require certain amount of love and attention from their keepers. So the question you need to ask is does your lifestyle allows you to spend quality time with a dog? If you are working late almost everyday or you love to go out with friends frequently then you might be leaving your dog home alone most of the time. Do you travel a lot where you cannot bring a pet with you? Do you have hobbies that cannot involve your dog? This type of lifestyles is not going to work out. Leaving your dog alone in your place will bore them and make them destructively rogue. You might get home one night seeing your couch ripped off by your dog due to boredom. Evaluate your present lifestyle to see if you could fit in dog ownership.

Future Plans

Getting a dog is not as simple as going to the pet shop and bringing home a cute friend with you. It is a huge responsibility on your shoulder for a very long time. Dogs live from 12 to 15 years depending on the breed. If you feel like your future plans cannot have a dog with you, then it is advisable not to get one now. Are you planning on getting married in the future? Do you have plans of relocating where you cannot bring your dog with you? There are a lot of dogs in the shelters right now that were given up by their keepers because they can no longer have them around. If you think you will only contribute to this problem rather than a solution, think really hard.

Health Concerns

Are there any health concerns and safety issues that may arise in owning a dog? The most common is allergy to dog’s coat. Depending on breed, dogs shed their coats and can cause health concerns. This is something to consider before getting a dog.

Poop, Pee, and anything in between

Are you prepared to handle the other side of cute and cuddly? It takes time before you can train a dog to poop and pee on the right place. Until that time comes, can you handle cleaning up after your dog? Accidents, torn furniture or holes in your backyard are only some of the common things that you might get when you start to have a pet dog. If you can’t keep the house clean on a regular basis, your place is going to stink. If you are not prepared for all of this, owning a dog is not for you.

Getting a pet dog is a serious and long term commitment so it requires some serious decision making. Consider all the things that dog ownership entails before you take the next step to getting a pet dog.

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