From offering companionship to giving you a sense of purpose, making you a more responsible human being, and keeping your fitness schedule on track, owning a dog can be rewarding in many ways. However, there are various things you should put into consideration before bringing a dog into your home. For instance, you have to plan for what your furry friend eats, where he crushes, where he gets his jabs, who walks him, how he’s kept clean, and so on and so forth. You don’t want your furry member of the family to end up turning aggressive, becoming sick, or wreaking havoc in your home as well as the neighborhood, do you?
Forgive the true joke, here are some 7 factors to consider before getting a puppy.
1. Can You Create Time for Your Pet?
The meaning of pet ownership is all in the name. Once you bring him or her to your home, the furry being needs your time and attention. Most importantly, you need to have some bonding time with your pet so you can realize the ultimate benefits they can have on your life. There’s no point in bringing a puppy home if you’re a bachelor who spends only a few hours home, most of them asleep and you’re gone. Your pup will die of boredom. They’re called man’s best friend for a reason. At the very least, they need a few minutes of playtime and cuddling each day, so make sure you can afford this time.
2. Puppy Type and Where to Find Them
Once you’re sure you can afford the time for a pooch, the next important consideration would be your preferred breed and kind of puppy. Do you want a pet or a security dog? The guys behind PuppyJoy.net say that there’s a multitude of dog breeds around the globe, some naturally more playful, some calmer, and some more preserved most of the time than others. From breeds like the Yorkie to the Siberian Husky, Beagle, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, the Boxer, and many more, these puppies differ in terms of size, appearance, and temperament, and other features. When getting a puppy, it’s important to ensure your provider stocks a large variety of breeds to choose from, including purebreds and crossbreeds.
3. Care and Maintenance Costs
You may have all the time in the world, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to what it takes to be a good parent to your pooch. Part of the responsibility of pet ownership involves spending a huge chunk of money on their food, veterinary visits, toys, and other supplies. It means ensuring they sleep comfortably, get walked when you’re not around and so forth when the time is not on your side. Before getting a puppy, it’s thus important to ensure you can afford not only his or her price tag; but also her overall care and maintenance.
4. Location and Dwelling Quarters
Let’s be honest and rational here, while Laika “the space dog” might have orbited the earth a few decades ago, different dogs have different requirements when it comes to the requirements they prefer, do best, or feel comfortable dwelling on. Thanks to the introduction of litter boxes and stuff these days, you can even own a puppy when living in a high-rise apartment. But one thing is for sure, it’s also important to ensure you’re closely located in a park or a dog-walking trail if you want to raise a happy, active dog.
5. Allergic?
Pet dander is one of the most common causes of allergies in many families. The sad truth is that some dog breeds such as Saint Bernard, Akita, Siberian Husky, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and the Alaskan Malamute tends to shed their fur more, dropping it on carpeting, furniture, and even in the air. If one or several members of your family have allergy issues, knowing how to deal with a shedding dog is crucial. Alternatively, you may need to go for a puppy breed that poses the least risk.
6. Puppy Training
Before they become mature, dogs require various degrees of training, especially when it comes to maintaining discipline, obedience, and proper behavior. For instance, your pet puppy will have to learn where to poop if you’re going to have his or her living in the main house. In this case, house training is a compulsory course your pup will have to go through. Before adopting or buying a puppy, it’s important to ensure you have the time and resources to provide them with regular training as they grow up.
7. Are You Committed?
Last but not least, owning a pet requires the utmost commitment. You obviously don’t want to end up abusing or abandoning your small furry friend, just because your work schedule just got crazier, you’re moving to another city or you’re currently too committed to find the time to walk them. Before getting a puppy, you have to make sure you’re committed to taking care of one.
Puppies are lovely angels that make us happier. They are more beautiful, especially at their tender ages. But bringing one home is a huge responsibility and before you do so, you need to be sure you can handle it. Luckily, the above few considerations can help you assess your capability.
