Tips for Responsibly Adding a Dog to Your Family
A dog can become a valuable member of your family. But getting a dog isn’t the right choice for everyone. It’s essential to check that it’s the right time to add a dog to your family and that you can provide everything the dog will need. You should think carefully about whether getting a dog is a sensible decision, weighing the pros and cons before you make your choice.
Don’t rush into getting a dog, even if you think you’re aware of everything it entails. Spend some time thinking it over to assess whether it’s the right move not just for you and your family, but also for the dog that could potentially join you in your home. Here are some tips to make a responsible choice.
Consider Adopting vs Buying
Your two main ways of getting a dog are to adopt from a rescue or to buy a dog (usually a puppy). Adopting a dog could mean getting either a puppy or an adult dog, and the process comes with pros and cons. On one hand, you could adopt an older dog and you’ll be able to assess its fully-formed personality. On the other hand, adopting often comes with more requirements and restrictions that you and your home will need to meet. Buying a puppy allows you to raise your dog from the start, but it can be a bigger time commitment and more expensive too.
Thoroughly Research
Doing plenty of research is vital when you get a dog. Firstly, you need to research what being a dog owner entails, and what your responsibilities will be. This helps you determine whether you’re a suitable owner. You can also start thinking about what type of dog might be right for you. It’s also crucial to research the rescue or breeder/seller if you’re looking at dogs for sale. Do they responsibly look after the dogs in their care? Do they take care of things like vaccinations and initial vet checkups? What papers will the breeder provide you with?
Assess Your Home
Your home needs to be suitable for a dog. It also needs to have enough space for the size and type of dog you’re thinking about. If you live in a flat, for example, it might not be a wise choice to get a large dog that needs a lot of exercise. Ideally, you would have easy access to outside space. This could mean a garden, whether private or shared, but some people make do with having a nearby park or other green spaces they can use. Your dog will need somewhere to exercise and go to the toilet.
Think About the Time Commitment
Dogs require your time. They need to be fed, groomed, exercised, and more. They also shouldn’t be left alone for too long. So if you’re thinking about getting a dog, you really need to consider whether you’re ready for the time commitment. If you work full-time, will you be able to come home on your lunch break to walk the dog, or get someone else to do it? Will you have time to walk them at least once per day (and possibly more)? What about the time it takes to train your dog?
Calculate the Cost
The cost of owning a dog is important to think about too. Of course, there are initial costs that might be involved with buying or adopting a dog. These could include a payment for the dog itself, vet fees, and essential items such as food, a bed, a collar and lead, and more. But dogs also have ongoing costs that you have to consider. You’ll need to keep buying food, and pay for pet insurance, grooming appointments, yearly vaccinations, and other expenses. All the items you buy initially will need to be replaced eventually too.
Consider Other Pets
Do you currently own any pets? If you’re already a pet owner, whether you have another dog or something else, you’ll have to think about them when getting a new dog. Not all pets will get on with each other, and adding a dog to your household could upset pets you already have. You should think about whether they might need to be kept separated from a new dog (and whether that’s feasible). If you do introduce them, you need to do so in a responsible way that helps keep all pets as comfortable as possible.
Think About When You Go on Holiday
Another thing you should consider when adding a dog to your family is what you’re going to do when you go away. There are a few different options to consider.
The first is to take your dog with you. Depending on how you like to travel, especially if you stay in your own country for holidays, you can get pet-friendly accommodations and keep your dog with you. Of course, this isn’t always possible, especially if you are going abroad. If you need to leave your dog behind, then dog day care can be a great way to make sure they have the care they need. This will include regular walks, grooming, feeding and social interaction with your pup.
A new dog could be the missing piece of your family. But before you get one, spend some time thinking it over.
This is a collaborative post.
