Installing Xenial Dog Step by Step Easy
Humans have raised dogs for millennia. You might be wondering whether it's time for you to adopt a dog for your own household as well!
Both people and pups benefit from dog adoption. Humans and dogs work well together and support one another in multiple ways, providing companionship and physical exercise. However, lots of people try to adopt dogs without being truly ready for the responsibilities that come alongside dog ownership.
Wondering whether you should get a dog? This detailed guide will break down all the factors to consider before adopting a puppy, plus help you get ready for your dog's arrival.
Things to Consider Before Getting a Dog
Getting a dog is so much more than just stopping by a shelter and taking home a furry friend for a few weeks. If you aren't sure whether it's time to grow your pack by another four paws, consider these major factors before signing on the dotted line.
Time Requirements
Dogs take lots of time, especially if you choose to adopt a puppy instead of an adult dog. That's because puppies require all their training from the ground up, whereas many adult dogs are already at least potty trained.
Regardless, even dogs that are fully trained will take a lot of time each day. Whenever you have a dog, you'll need to:
- Spend time feeding and watering the dog.
- Take the dog outside regularly, even if it's a primarily inside dog, so they can go to the bathroom.
- Take your dog on walks, especially if your dog has a lot of energy.
- Spend time taking your dog to vet visits – even healthy adult dogs need one veterinarian visit per year.
As you can see, getting a dog is no small drain on your time. Be sure to consider where your time currently goes and whether you have the extra time a dog requires for a happy, healthy life.
Money Matters
The other big constraint on dog ownership is money. Make no mistake: dogs cost quite a bundle, both at first and over their lifetimes! In total, you'll need to be prepared to pay for:
- The initial adoption fee or costs for purchasing the dog
- Regular veterinarian visit costs, even if you have insurance, in which case you'll need to pay a monthly amount.
- The costs for food and treats – these can really skyrocket!
- The startup costs for a bed and toys, plus replacements as your dog gets older.
You should expect to spend several thousand dollars when first adopting a new puppy, plus several more thousand dollars over their first year of life. After that, you might spend several thousand dollars per year just on food and health costs.
So take a hard look at your budget and figure out whether you have the scratch to pay for a dog and keep it happy and healthy over the long-term.
Why Do You Really Want a Dog?
It'll also be helpful to look in the mirror and ask yourself: why do I want a dog? Many people believe they want dogs at first, only to discover that dog ownership isn't right for them.
Lots of people think they want dogs:
- For the companionship
- To have more routine throughout the day
- To feel needed by a pet who depends on them for care
- And so on
None of these are particularly bad reasons. But you should think carefully about whether you truly want a dog deep down or just want some of the benefits that come with dog ownership. If it's the latter case, you can often find other pets that are much easier to maintain, such as cats or reptiles.
Commitment
A dog is a long-term commitment. When you get a new puppy, regardless of breed, you'll have to take care of that dog for about a decade. Even the largest dogs live for around that long. If you get a smaller or longer-lived breed of puppy, you might have a canine companion for close to two decades.
Be ready to take care of your dog for that long. It's never good when a dog is given up by its owner to be adopted by a new family.
Other Pets in the House
Lastly, take a look around your house or apartment. If you have other pets already, bringing a new animal into the fold could be difficult or disruptive.
This is especially true if you already have a cat. Old cats have difficulty adjusting to new things of any kind, and a puppy could tax their patience and lower their quality of life. Older dogs may be similar, although they tend to get along better with new puppies since they speak the same "language".
Regardless, think about what bringing a new puppy into your life would do to your other pets' quality of life before adopting one.
Ways to Get Ready for Dog Adoption
If you've decided to get a dog, make sure you're ready for their homecoming. Take this quiz by the American Kennel Club to be sure, or use our checklist below:
- Be sure that you have a crate and bed for your dog, so they have a place to sleep their first night in your home. You don't want to build up the habit of them sleeping in the same bed as you.
- Get plenty of toys, so they have things to play with when they arrive.
- Be sure to have plenty of food, as well as dog bowls.
- Get puppy pads and other cleaning supplies if you've adopted a young dog. They might make messes in your home since they'll need to be potty trained.
- Get a leash and other outdoor supplies, including a sweater or booties if you live in a cold climate.
It might also be a good idea to "puppy-proof" your home by using baby gates and similar barriers. These can prevent your puppy from wandering out of sight or getting into a room they aren't supposed to be in.
How to Find a Good Dog for Adoption
No two dogs are alike, and there are lots of things to consider when picking a new dog for your home. Here are some of the major things to think about instead of just choosing the first dog to give you the infamous, super-cute "puppy eyes".
Breed
A dog's breed can give you a good indicator of their future personality, as well as their energy levels and desired activities. You should avoid adopting a high-energy dog breed, like a husky or Australian cattle dog, if you don't have a lot of room inside or don't have a lot of time to take your dog outdoors.
Similarly, don't get a big dog breed if you live in a small apartment. Only get a big dog or one with high-energy if you have a house or a big backyard for them to play in.
Age
Puppies are a favorite for good reasons. But you might also consider getting an adult or senior dog who needs a forever home since they were given up by their families before. Just remember that puppies take a lot of extra work initially, but adult dogs will get health problems more quickly as they age.
Health
Lastly, ask whoever is in charge of the shelter or vet's office about the health of a puppy you're looking at. Ideally, you want a healthy dog that doesn't come with a lot of pre-existing conditions. However, if you've fallen in love with a new pup that has one or more health issues to note, just be aware that they'll take a little more work than other dogs.
Signs You're NOT Ready for a Dog
Just like there are ways to tell that you are ready for a dog, there are also some signs that it might not be a good choice for your home. These reasons include:
- Pet allergies. If you or someone in your home is allergic to cats or dogs, don't bring a new puppy to your home, or you'll all be extremely uncomfortable.
- Not being home enough. Dogs need a lot of attention, no matter the breed. If you spend your workweek mostly at work and only stop by the house to pick up food or sleep, a dog is a bad choice.
- You only want a puppy. Puppies are adorable, sure, but they'll eventually grow into full-on dogs. Don't get a new puppy if you just want to take care of them while they are at their cutest.
- Finances. You don't have enough money to take care of your dog.
Summary
Ultimately, whether you're ready for a dog is something only you can answer. We'd recommend thinking about this question long and hard before visiting an adoption center. The best way to make sure you give a dog a perfect forever home is to make sure you're ready for all the requirements and responsibilities that come alongside dog ownership.
If you are ready, use the adoption guidelines above and choose your pup! Getting a dog is a great experience. Once you bring them home, you'll quickly realize that there's no one like your furry friend!
Sources
Quiz: Are You Ready To Get A Dog? (akc.org)
Puppy Schedule: Daily Routine for New Puppies (akc.org)
The Cost of Owning a Dog (thesprucepets.com)
7 Signs You Should Not Get a Dog (vetstreet.com)
The Comprehensive Guide to Adopting a Pet (petfinder.com)
Source: https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/should-i-get-a-dog-dog-adoption-guide?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740005%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex&ueid=32eedacd-cc7b-4aa9-abd6-974a24a1f5af
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