Bringing a dog into your family is a huge commitment that needs a lot of consideration. In this post, we’ll be covering some important questions to ask yourself before you decide to bring a dog into the family. This will help ensure that you’re making the right decision and that you’re not rushing into this commitment.
- Do you know what kind of dog you want to adopt?
It’s a good idea to look at the different types of dogs that you can adopt. Check local availability but also keep the breeds in mind and their unique differences. Dog breeds aren’t just different for cosmetic reasons. They each have their own personalities and preferences, so it’s important that you check up different kinds of dog breeds. If you need some assistance, you might want to consider dog breeds that are suitable for families. This will help you find a dog that is friendly and great around kids.
- Is your home large enough for a dog?
You need to have a pretty big home for a dog. Smaller dogs will obviously require less space, but it’s always good to have a large yard and plenty of open space around the house for your dog to run around and explore. If you don’t have a large home, then you may want to consider a different kind of family pet instead.
- Are you prepared financially to have a dog?
Preparing for a dog is expensive. It’s important to put together a financial plan for getting a dog because it’ll help you understand the costs involved. It’s not just about food and medicine either. You also need to consider the costs of boarding if you ever go on holiday, you need to think about the cost of toys and supplies, and you might also need to pay for dog training courses.
- Is your local area suitable for a dog?
You should look at your local area and see if it’s suitable for owning a dog. For example, local parks are a great indicator that your area is suitable for dogs, and having a veterinary clinic nearby will ensure that your dog can always get medical attention when they need it. You also need to consider if there are local pet stores around where you can top up on supplies and get items such as cages and toys for your dog.
- Are you ready to invest time into training your dog?
Training your dog is a time-consuming process. Some dogs are already trained when you adopt them, so this can reduce some of the time investment required. Thankfully, there are lots of online dog training courses and various classes that you can take your dog too if you’re looking to improve their behaviour or strengthen your bond. In some cases, you may be better off handing off the training to a specialist instead.
- Do you spend enough time at home?
You also want to consider how much time you spend at home. Dogs need a lot of love and affection. If you’re constantly away from home and can only spend a few hours with them a day, then it may affect your relationship. Thankfully, having a family around is a great way to ensure your dog always gets plenty of love and care.
- Do you have other pets in the house?
Ask yourself if a dog will be a good fit for the other pets in your house. Ideally, you’ll want to have multiple pets in the house from a young age so they grow up together and thus become great friends. If you do plan to have multiple pets in the house, then it’s worth looking at dog-friendly dog breeds or dogs that get on well with other types of animals. The last thing you want is to have lots of fighting in the house or pets chasing each other around.
- Is the rest of your family fine with having a dog?
It’s a good idea to consider your family situation before you adopt a dog. For example, are there any children in the house that have allergy issues with dogs and pets? You want to keep your kids safe from any potential dangers that pets might bring. You may want to consider speaking to your child’s physician if they have a condition that might be compromised with having a pet around the house. You also want to make sure that your family are willing to help you look after the dog as well. If they don’t agree with bringing a dog into the house, then you’re going to get conflicts that will result in a lot of problems in the future.
- Why do you want to adopt a dog?
You should also ask yourself why you want to adopt a dog in the first place. Do you love dogs and have always wanted one, or do you think a dog can introduce a healthy new family dynamic? There are many positives to owning a dog but it’s worth keeping some of the negatives in mind. If you’re absolutely certain that you want a dog then it’s fine to proceed with whatever plan you had in mind. However, if you’re not 100% sure, you may want to think carefully before you adopt one.
- Is now a good time to bring a dog into your life?
Some people might find that it’s not the right time to bring a dog into their life just yet. Perhaps you’re having financial issues or maybe you’re going through a tough time in life that means you won’t be able to spend time at home with your dog. If you’re not in a great spot to adopt a dog yet then it’s worth holding off until a little later. This will ensure that you have time to reconsider and prepare yourself for the arrival of a dog. It’s not a good idea to rush into these things, so make sure you take it slow and consider all of the potential issues involved.
- Are there suitable places near you to adopt a dog?
It’s a good idea to look for local places to adopt a dog. Adopting a dog is usually done by going to a rescue home or a pet store. Those stores usually have plenty of supplies like food, toys and even medicine. Some larger pet centres even have veterinary services in case your dog is ill or requires medical attention. If you don’t have a suitable location nearby that adopts dogs, then you may want to reconsider. It’s usually a good idea to avoid adopting a dog from shady places, especially if they’re asking for a large amount of money.
- Are you prepared to say goodbye to your dog?
While it’s a little morbid to think about, many people actually avoid owning a pet because they don’t want to face the grief of losing their dog in the future. However, it’s worth remembering that having a dog creates lots of amazing memories for you and your family. The happiness they bring doesn’t come without a few scares and a bit of frustration, but that’s natural with almost every kind of relationship that we have with both humans and animals. Having a dog can improve your life and make you happy. At the end of the day, nobody wants to say goodbye to their dog, but it’s worth making the most of your time together and cherishing those memories.
