People acquire dogs for a variety of reasons: companionship, surveillance purposes, hunting, service purposes, and all over the world people are becoming dog owners for the first time in their lives. Humane shelters and adoption agencies are full of abandoned dogs and before you are tempted to take a dog home, there are many things to consider.
Few things can pull on our hearts as much as the soft eyes of an abandoned dog or puppy and the thought of all the unconditional love that canine companions have to offer can cause us to make spontaneous decisions without allowing us to think realistically. Many people who take dogs home without thinking it through may find themselves unable to care for the dog and abandon it.
Owning a dog is a lifelong commitment and along with unconditional love and companionship comes a wide range of responsibilities. As a dog owner, you are ultimately responsible for providing all of your dog’s needs, such as food, water, care, and medical attention when he needs it. Even the most housetrained dogs can have occasional accidents at home and you will need to be prepared to clean up after your dog when he is sick or when you take him out for a walk.
Be prepared to come home after a long day at work to find your favorite shoes have been chewed on or to find the carpet in tatters. If your dog is an obsessive barker, you should be prepared to spend a lot of time dealing with the problem or you will have a lot of unhappy neighbors in your case.
So before you draft those adoption papers, take a close look at what it really means to have a dog. Here are some things to consider when making that final decision:
Should I have a dog?
If you are an athletic and energetic person or have such a person in your household, then yes, you can consider having a dog. If your family consists of busy people who are constantly glued to the television or computer, then a dog may not be a good idea. Dogs need regular daily walks, for a minimum of thirty minutes. You will also have to collect your dog’s excrement on your walks. Children and teens eager for a dog will bombard you with promises about how they will do whatever it takes to care for the dog. What usually happens after the novelty of having a dog wears off is that you will be left with the job of caring for the dog.
Dogs are not cheap to keep and only consider purchasing one if you have the financial capacity to do so. You will need to be able to feed your dog a good quality diet and there are many other costs associated with owning a dog: flea and tick treatments, kennels if you are going on vacation, toys and accessories, and veterinary care in case your dog gets sick. ill. . Even if your dog never gets sick in his life, you will need to take him for vet checkups and vaccinations, and these things don’t come cheap.
If you are a very busy person and have little free time, you should not have a dog. Dogs are social animals that need time and company; they do not do well if left alone for long periods of time. Dogs left alone can and do develop behavior problems such as destructive chewing and aggression.
Should I have a dog for the kids?
If you have a baby or small child in the house, you should put off buying a dog. Small children and babies are enough without adding a dog to the mix. They may also be unable to properly interact with a dog, which could lead to problems. Not all dogs are good with children and not all children now know how to behave around dogs.
If your child knows the meaning of responsibility and is around 12 years old, this may be a good environment to take a dog. Dogs are ideal for children in the right circumstances and can teach them many things in addition to providing companionship. Teenagers in particular can benefit from owning and caring for a dog, as they are at an age where showing affection for their parents can be considered “unattractive” in their age group, so a dog can provide an emotional outlet for the child. Teens generally go through a turbulent time in their development, so they may not be consistent in caring for a dog. If you want a dog for your children, make sure you are prepared to take responsibility for caring for it if or when your children lose interest. Children can be fickle, so make sure you are prepared for this.
Once you’ve decided that you can offer a dog a good home for the rest of its life, it’s time to visit your local adoption centers to choose your new dog. Try to do as much research as you can about the place and the available dogs. Talk to staff and other dog owners and research any breed of dog that interests you to discover the personality traits or diseases they are predisposed to. When it comes to doing your homework before bringing a dog home, there are no stupid questions. Don’t be embarrassed to ask anything you want about dog ownership.
Even if you decide that you like the traits of a particular breed, you should keep in mind that dogs are individuals and that just because a dog belongs to a particular breed known for a particular trait does not necessarily mean that the dog has this trait. The internet is full of invaluable information on the many aspects of dog ownership, so take advantage of it and read as much as you can.