Getting a dog is a life-long commitment. It is not like getting a toy and playing with it whenever you have nothing else to do. A dog is a family and before getting one, there are things that you need to consider. This is for you and the dog’s welfare, too.
Having a dog is fun and it adds color and energy to your home. They can make your life both exciting and challenging. Before taking one home with you or your family, here are 5 things to consider.
1. Research the Breed
If it is your first time getting a dog, you can’t just go to a breeder or a rescue group and get the first dog that you see. You need to research and have knowledge about certain dog breeds. You should know if that certain breed is allowed in your area and what its characteristics are.
For example, if you are getting a Boston Terrier, you should find out a little about its history, its temperament and personality, and what the Boston Terrier is a mix between. This is to prepare yourself for whatever comes with your dog. Of course, it will be different from one dog to another. You can also look for a healthy breeder of pugs.
2. Dog-Proofing Your Home
When you finally get to decide what kind of dog you’re going to get, then it’s time to dog-proof your home. You can’t expect to have the same setting once your new pup arrives. Moving things around can keep your dog and your things safe.
It is also important to inform family members how to treat your new dog, especially children. This is for both their protection and safety. Make sure that toxic materials or food are also out of their reach.
3. Lifetime Expenses
Buying or adopting a dog doesn’t end there. It is just the beginning of a lot of other necessary expenses. They have a lot of needs that you have to provide to make sure that they are growing strong and healthy. You need to have a budget for the food, accessories, vet needs, and other stuff like a custom-made pet tag.
The total expenses of owning a dog can differ depending on their breed, health, and training needs.
4. Require Lots of Time
There are certain breeds of dogs that are not allowed to be left alone for too long. It’s either they will just display bad behavior or they will develop separation anxiety. Having a dog may also mean deviating from or totally changing your daily routine.
A dog needs to be fed at least two to three times per day depending on its age and size. It also requires at least 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise every day. Watching over your dog most of the time is also required to prevent accidents. So, if you are a busy person or there’s no one to take care of him aside from you, then it’s not yet the perfect time to get one.
5. Training and Socializing
Aside from feeding and exercising, training and socializing are two of the other most important experiences for a dog. They need to be socialized early on with other animals, children, and different people. This is to ensure that they have very little chance to develop bad behavior.
It is also important to train a dog where to potty and what kind of behavior to display in different situations. Fancy tricks are just bits of the most important part of the training. You can either enroll your dog in a professional trainer or you can do it yourself as long as you have the patience.
Conclusion
Getting a dog is not just to have a guard at home. Having a dog means loving another family member, taking time to know him, and giving time to let him know you and your family. Owning a dog or any other pet requires consistency, patience, and commitment. Be ready to fall in love many times over once you decide to get a dog.