Things To Consider Before Getting A Dog

If you’re considering the likelihood of getting a dog, there are a few things that are worth thinking about before you take such a big commitment. There’s a lot that comes with owning a dog that you might not be aware of, and as it’s most famously said ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’. This is because a lot of pets are mostly bought during birthdays and festive celebrations.

So with that in mind, here are some things to consider before getting a dog.

Consider The Costs Involved

A dog should be considered like that of a baby. It needs constant attention, and it needs to be looked after because they can’t do it by themselves. And unless you are a dog whisperer, you’re not going to be able to understand when they need you to take them outside for a walk or to do their usual business. So when it comes to that responsibility, the first thing you want to think about is the costs that are involved. Some dogs can be very expensive to purchase if buying from a breeder and depending on their breed, they can get pricey. It’s all dependent on what you want of course, but there’s also the cost of vet bills and other expenditures like dog food, toys, and accessories. They do become another member of the household and so it’s important to factor in the costs and know if it’s something you can afford right now or perhaps not. Getting a dog can be expensive if you have certain criteria, and it’s important you’ve catered for all of this before moving forward with it.

Does Your Lifestyle Suit One?

Everyone has their priorities and their lifestyles. Each one is different from the next, and so you want to consider what type of lifestyle you have now and whether it can cater to having a dog. For example, if you’re someone who spends a lot of time out socializing or away for work, then who is going to look after your dog? There are some dogs that can stay in the flat over the course of several hours, but eventually, they’re going to need to go to the toilet, need a walk, and also require attention. If you’re leaving them for too long then you’re going to cause a lot of distress, and that’s not fair on them.

As much as you might be longing for a dog right now, it’s important to factor in their needs from you. That might mean sacrificing your lifestyle for a different one to work around the dog or not getting a dog until your circumstances change.

Choose A Breeder Or Re-home Option

There are a couple of options you can choose when it comes to finding a dog, and that’s choosing a breeder or re-homing a dog that’s already out in the world. Re-homing can be a wonderful thing to do and to give a dog the chance at a second life that perhaps is better than it’s first one. Dogs have ended up being re-homed for different reasons, whether that’s a change of circumstance in it’s previous household or maybe the owner simply passed away, and there was no one to look after the dog. With that in mind, it’s worth going directly to these re-homing centers and meeting the dogs in person to get a sense of what they’re like. Some of them might match what you’re after, and some won’t. It’s important that you’re bonding with the pet before you end up making a decision. You don’t want to end up with a dog that’s not suited to your personality.

For breeders, it’s a bit different. There’s a lot more to consider and also making sure that you’re picking the right breeder for the dog you want. Make sure you’re finding a breeder through the right procedures and that you see the puppies with their birth mum and dad, if possible. You should at least see them with the birth mother, otherwise red flags should start to be raised in your mind. Make sure that you’re considering the price that comes with buying from breeders, and again, this all contributes to the budget you have available and to work with. So whether you’re looking at chocolate lab pups for sale or re-homing a Labrador, do your research either way.

Puppy-Proofing Your Home

Your home is likely to be a lot different without a puppy, and just like a baby, you would need to puppy-proof your home before you get one. As puppies, they need training, and they won’t instinctively shy away from scratching at skirting boards or jumping onto furniture and pulling at thread or biting material. It’s important that you try and make the necessary precautions in order to protect your home properly. That way, you risk having to lose so much of your furniture during that puppy training stage.

Start Stocking Up

And finally, before you have the new arrival in your home, it’s a good idea to start stocking up on supplies. Again, it’s just like having a child where you’d need to buy diapers and clothing. For a dog, it’s going to be the dog’s bed, any toys, and lots of food. Depending on the size of the dog will depend on how much food it needs. Some dogs only need a bowl or so a day, whereas others will need three bowls. Dog food can be quite costly, too, so you want to make sure that whatever dog you get, it isn’t going to cost you a lot in food, especially if they’re a breed known to only like certain foods.

Before getting a dog, it’s important to consider this like any other big commitment in your life. That includes getting a home, having children, or buying a property. Dogs are for life and sometimes can live for two decades. It’s good to realize that and know that this isn’t just an easy decision to make because it’ll affect a big part of your life.

And be sure to do ample research on things like dog eating cat poop just in case as well!