Bringing home a new dog or puppy is an exciting time for everyone, but making sure you’re ready for a new family member is a big deal. Although dogs are relatively easy to maintain for as far as pets go, they do still need specific care and attention. If you’re second-guessing any of these points, you might want to reconsider getting a dog at this time.
#1 – Time & Attention
Dogs are very social animals that need a lot of attention to be happy. Adequate exercise is essential to keep both their minds and bodies tired and healthy, and a bored dog is usually a destructive nuisance. Dogs vary in their exercise needs, but they all need walks, runs and playtime. They need to be with their people in order to form strong bonds and feel happy as members of the family. If you’re someone that works long hours or travels frequently, a dog is probably not the best choice in companion. You’ll also want to be honest with yourself about what kind of exercise you can provide. If you’re not an avid hiker or marathon runner, don’t get an exceptionally active breed. Many people think that a dog will force them to exercise, but most often it ends up a dog that’s re-homed because it doesn’t fit in well to the family.
#2 – A Steady Income
You don’t need to be rich to own a dog, but you do need to be prepared for routine care like food, housing, toys and accessories. Plus, your dog is going to need a veterinary check-up at least once a year; more if they become sick or injured. Puppies will need to see a veterinarian more often because they’ll need vaccines. Life happens, and anyone can lose their job or primary source of income at any time without notice, so don’t feel bad if you’re going through hardship. Just make sure that you’ll still be able to comfortably provide for your pooch in the foreseeable future.
#3 – A Stable Living Situation
Most of us have wanted to sneak a pet home and hide it in our closets or under our beds so Mom wouldn’t see, but we can’t do that in real life. Make sure that wherever you live is comfortable having a dog in the house. Many rented apartments and homes don’t allow pets and it’s important to respect those policies. Getting a dog and having your landlord find out about it will result in your dog having to move very quickly. Not only is rehoming stressful for your pup and you, it risks your dog ending up in the shelter. Again, life happens and things change, but as long as you’re in good shape to bring a dog home now you should be set for the future.
#4 – Patience
All pets require patience, but dogs require a bit more because they need training. A new dog or puppy needs to learn house manners and become potty trained. Training of any kind, even the most simple of behaviors, takes patience and consistency. Hiring a trainer to help is a great idea, but at the end of the day it’s your patience and effort that makes the difference.
There are many different things to consider when bringing home a new pet of any species, and dogs require just as much care as any other animal. They are affectionate creatures that need love and attention and do best with owners that can provide adequate diligence. So if you’re thinking of bringing a new dog or puppy home and you’ve got these 4 things covered, go ahead and add that new family member!
