A Furry New Family Member: Things To Consider Before Getting a Dog

Getting a dog is a huge responsibility, and something you should think long and hard about before jumping in. Puppies might look harmless and adorable, but there’s so much work that goes into being a dog owner. To give your pooch the best life possible and to make sure it’s something you’re definitely ready for, here are some important things to bear in mind.

The Cost

If you’re buying a designer or pedigree dog breed, the first thing to keep in mind is of course the upfront cost. Many dogs can cost hundreds of dollars, so that’s something you’ll have to pay for on top of everything else. Then you have vet visits — first, they will need vaccinations and possibly microchipping. A few months later it’s neutering and spaying costs, and then annual checkups and booster shots after that. And that’s not even factoring in if your pet has an injury or develops an illness.

Pet insurance will make sure you’re not left massively out of pocket should the worst happen, but even that can be an expensive thing to pay every month. You could check out a site like http://www.gocompare.com and run some quotes through to see what prices you get. Then you will need to buy food, treats, leads, collars, tags, bowls, beds, grooming products, flea and worming medicines and so much more.

Before you get a dog, make sure you can afford it since there are a lot of costs that you might not have thought about.

Behavior Problems

Socializing your dog well when they’re young is the best way to avoid behavior problems. Allowing them to mix with other dogs at puppy lessons, taking them on walks to expose them to traffic noises, children shouting, bikes and everything else will help them. When they’re young, dogs are very adaptable, but can develop phobias as they get older. Even the most socialized dog can end up with behavior issues, so again this is something to be aware of.

Whether it’s aggression to other dogs or people, barking, destructiveness or phobias you will need to know how to deal with these as they arise. For destructive behavior, you could take them on longer walks and make sure they’re not being left alone for too long.

Keeping them confined to a crate when you’re not home can prevent them from getting into mischief. A site like https://www.bestdogcrateguide.com/ will help you to find the right one.

For aggression, this is often a sign of fear. A qualified dog trainer may be needed in this case.

Vacations and Trips

If you’re the kind of person who loves regular vacations and spontaneous weekends away, then a dog isn’t going to be for you. While they’re fine being kenneled for an annual vacation, it’s not likely to be something your dog enjoys, so shouldn’t be something you’re doing all the time. There are plenty of dog-friendly trips you can take, many hotels and campsites allow dogs so if you’re happy to stay in the country where you live then you’ll be fine. But a dog isn’t a pet for a regular jet setter.

Time and Effort

Once dogs are out of their puppy stage, they’re relatively easy pets to own. They will happily snooze in their bed while you’re at work, and if they’re properly house trained, you won’t have to deal with accidents in the home. However, even laid back dogs will take time and effort. Dogs need regular walks, after a long day at work is this something you’re prepared to do? They also need companionship and attention, if you’re not willing to spend the time and effort playing with them and giving them love then you shouldn’t get one.

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