Dogs are cute, and they’re always nice to have in a home. But, remember that this isn’t a toy that you can simply outgrow out of if you no longer want it.
Having a dog at home is like having a little baby that you have to care for, nurture, and give some love to. They have a life and feelings, too, and in your home, your dog should feel like they belong.
Adding a new fur member to the family is always a very exciting time of your life. But, before you jump right into adopting or getting a dog, there are things that you must first be aware of, so that you can give that furry friend the best care possible that it deserves.
That said, here’s a list of the things you must first know before bringing home a new furry family member:
Make Sure You Really Want A Dog
The very first thing you should start with is to decipher whether you really want to have a dog and if you have the capacity to care for one.
Perhaps you could just be looking at everyone else on social media who have dogs, thinking that you should also have a dog yourself. But, it’s not all fun and games.
It’s a big responsibility. So, get the whole family involved in the discussion so you can determine whether or not a dog really is something you want to have.
Along with that, you should also first assess your ability to provide for one. If your expenses are tight and you’re barely making it from one paycheck to the next, then it may not be a good idea to have a dog.
Remember you’ve got to feed it, bring it to regular vet checks, and if they get sick, the expense can also be costly.
You should know first how much it’s going to add to your monthly budget to have to care for a dog.
If it’s not something you can afford in the budget at the moment, then perhaps it’s best to delay getting a dog for now.
Dogs Are For Life
A healthy dog can live anywhere from 10 to 13 years. So, you’ve got to be ready for this responsibility of caring for one. Dogs are for life.
And if you don’t see yourself being able to care for one five years down the road, then perhaps you shouldn’t force having one at the moment.
Even after your dog has gone through the cute puppy stage, you should still be able to give them the love and care they need during their energetic teenage years, and then move forward to their more relaxed but difficult golden years.
Apart from caring for them, the last thing you’d want is to fall into trouble with the law because you’re neglecting your dogs.
Yes, these animals are protected by the law, too, depending on where you’re from. Continue reading this to get enlightenment on these laws.
Consider Fostering Or Adopting
You should also know that buying a dog isn’t the only way of getting one. There’s also the option of fostering or adopting.
If you’re really keen about bringing home a dog, you may want to go around and check through shelters. Many dogs have been abandoned that are looking for their new forever home.
This is also a good route to take, as you can better understand how important it is to shower your dogs with love.
The keepers in dog adoption shelters will also give you background details on the dog you’re looking to adopt, and the many who have abandoned their responsibility of caring for one.
Choice Of Breed Matters, Too
Before you even head out to a shelter or pet store to buy one, be sure that you’ve done your research on the dog breeds you want to take home.
This is a choice you have to make not just depending on the breed that you like, but also taking into consideration your living arrangements.
For example, if you live in a small one-bedroom apartment where you don’t have much space and a garden, then a smaller dog will be a better choice.
If you have a garden for your dog to move freely, then you can go for bigger dogs that may also need more room to move around and exercise.
Preparing Your Home Is Necessary
Just like how you’d prepare your home for the coming of a new baby, the same also holds when you’re bringing home a new puppy. This means puppy-proofing your home.
There are certain things you can do to achieve this, and it’s along the lines of the following:
- Preparing a designated area in your home where your puppy will stay close to their food and drinks as they still get accustomed to their new home;
- Make sure there are no poisonous houseplants, like holly and amaryllis;
- Putting away cleaning supplies that they could spill and other food items.
Conclusion
As you can see, getting or adopting a dog should never be an impulsive decision. It should be something that you’ve given much thought to.
Most importantly, your entire family (if you live with them) should also be on the same page.
Being a fur parent is a responsibility, and it’s not fair for the dog if you only give them some love for the first few days, and then start to neglect them later on.
Hopefully, after reading through the information above, you can be more prepared to be a responsible dog parent.