Dogs are the absolute best pets but as the old saying goes, “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.” This means that if you are thinking of getting a dog, you have to first know that it is a long term commitment and shouldn’t just be a decision that you make on your whim. A lot of careful consideration needs to go into deciding whether or not to take on the responsibility of owning a dog. To make sure that you know what is required, here are things you should keep in mind before getting a dog.
1. Dogs need company
There are a huge number of things that go into raising your dog, and first and foremost you need to know that it is very time-consuming. Make sure that you have enough time to be able to walk your dog, feed it, and to be able to give it the care and attention that it needs and deserves. Dogs are emotionally sensitive animals and they feel neglect and abandonment as acutely as people do. If you do not spend time with your dog then it will be very unhappy. There are various ways that you can train your dog to deal with being alone and we found this article which explains the benefits of special training crates. These work to help your dog deal with the anxiety of separation when it is left alone for a long time. If you are planning on getting a training crate make sure that it is one that is unbreakable as some models can be broken by larger dogs.
2. Your lifestyle
The second thing that you need to consider is whether or not you have the right lifestyle to raise a dog. For example, if you have a job, that means you are going to be out most of the day, so having a dog might not be the right thing for you at the moment. If your job does allow you to get a dog, you have to think about which breed will suit you best. Border collies, for example, need a lot of love and a lot of care and if they are left on their own for a long time, they can get quite anxious and timid around people. A lot of people might go for a dog that is cute and cuddly, but without the proper research into its needs, they will not know if that kind of dog will fit their lifestyle. Make sure you do your homework so that you can choose the best breed for you.
3. Money
The next thing you need to seriously consider is the amount of money that raising a dog costs. In addition to taking up a lot of your time, dogs require a lot of money to be able to pay for their dog food, their toys, their entertainment, and their shots and vet visits, all of which can be very expensive. Especially if your dog has any health problems that need addressing, the costs can start to add up. In terms of dog food, dogs require food that is age-specific, breed-specific, or sometimes both. These kinds of dog food can be really expensive. Likewise, if your dog has any allergies they may need a special diet or medicine to help them with the symptoms of their allergies. Also, you need to make sure that you are keeping your dog entertained by buying them toys or chew treats to look after their teeth. There are many great options available from bones to specially designed chew toys.
4. Your home
It is very important to make sure you have a house that is appropriate for a dog. For example, if you have a dog that needs a lot of exercises, having a house that doesn’t have a garden might be quite difficult for a border collie which requires a lot of running around, so again, that is something you will have to consider when picking your breed. As well as that, you need to make sure that you’re able to make your house pet-friendly. Something as simple as chewing gum can be extremely deadly for a dog so you’ve got to make sure that you’re able to accommodate a dog in your home.
Dogs are an amazing pet and make a wonderful addition to any family or home, but there are so many things to consider when getting yourself a dog. Make sure to take all the points laid out in this article into consideration when making your decision. If you do decide to go ahead, think about which breed best suits your lifestyle and your home, and you will have a loving companion for years to come.
