Deciding to bring a dog home isn’t something to take lightly. Dogs take a lot more time and energy than people really think, and even if you’ve owned dogs before, a new canine in the house is a big adjustment!
There’s a lot of prep work to do, especially if you’re bringing home a puppy, and your lifestyle may have to change for a little while in order to establish a healthy routine. Is this the kind of work you’re willing to do right now? That’s the question to ask before you sign the adoption papers or hand over the money, and it’s not the only one.
What are Your Working Hours?
Working hours can make dog ownership hard. If you work outside of your home, you’re likely going to be out of the house for at least eight hours at a time. However, young dogs need to have someone with them at all times, older puppies can only be left for a couple of hours, and it’s only fully grown dogs that can be left alone for a typical working day.
But even fully grown dogs can have trouble adjusting to this extended separation period, and during the first few months of getting used to it, they may tear up the house, pee on the carpet, and eat things they shouldn’t. Make sure you’re ready (with both time and patience) to deal with issues like these before you bring a dog home.
Can You Care For Their Health?
There are all sorts of health concerns and issues that you will need to be aware of with a dog, and you should make sure that you are thinking about this before you actually get one. For instance, they might have all kinds of illnesses at various points in their lives, along with dog allergies and so on too. So you need to make sure you are aware of that and ready to deal with it.
Do You Have Healthy Savings?
Pets are expensive, and dogs tend to be the most expensive pets of all. Whether you’re thinking of getting a German Shepherd or getting a Chihuahua, it’s going to be expensive to provide for them. Never will this be more true than when you need to pay for an unexpected vet bill.
Some people have to pay up to $5000 per year in vet bills for a dog. Is that something you could fork out for right now? Even with insurance that could get pricey, and depending on your pet’s condition and the excess cost, there’s no guarantee the insurance will pay out on these bills either.
Is There Enough Space?
Space is an essential factor in responsible dog ownership. Dogs need room to roam, play, and sleep, and these areas all need to be separate from each other. It’s why dog ownership is quite hard if you live in an apartment complex, especially if you have little to no access to safe outdoor zones.
Taking your dog out for walks around twice a day can remove some of these space requirements, but if you do live in a home without space to spare, small dog breeds are likely the only ones you’ll be able to consider. If you’re intent on owning something like a Great Dane, you’ll likely have to move first!
Dog ownership requires commitment, patience, and understanding of their needs. Get to grips with these before you get in touch with a breeder or shelter.
