If you are interested in bringing a pet dog into your family, it must be for the right reasons. Ask yourself the following questions, prior to selecting a breed and breeder or visiting your local shelter or rescue facility:
1. Are you, and all those who live with you, committed to spend 12+ years providing health care, food, grooming, training and attention to a dog? Do the people who live with you also want a dog?
2. Do you have the time and/or resources available: To take your dog for walks and to the vet? To bath, brush, clip, and, otherwise, groom your dog as often as necessary? Will you want to play and, perhaps, work on training daily, with your dog? Are you willing to take your dog to puppy socialisation,and basic obedience classes?
3. Are there lifestyle-altering events that could occur in your foreseeable future? - A baby, caring for an elderly family member, a divorce, job uncertainty. And, how would you deal with these changes as they impacted your ability to care for a dog?
4. Is your personality conducive to dog ownership? Do you often feel 'stressed out'? Do you like to have total control over your environment or 'space'? Are you a 'neat freak'? Are you flexible? Answer honesty - nobody but you will know and, more importantly, nobody but you will have to live with the results of your trying to 'fit' your personality to a dog.
5. Is your environment prepared for a dog and/or are you willing to make the investment of time and money necessary to insure that it does? Is there a garden or park-like area for your dog to walk and relieve him- or her- self? Is your garden or a portion of it, fenced? If your dog will be outside for any period of time, will you provide a secure and comfortable shelter for your dog? Although you may have a secure and comfortable location for your dog while it is outdoors, dog should not be left outdoors, unattended, for extended periods of time. They can be taunted, released, stolen, or worse. Tethering can cause serious physical harm or death in the event of an entanglement or other such accident.
6. Will your dog be alone for long periods of time, daily? Can you arrange for the dog to be let out for a romp, given water, medication, and playtime, as necessary, during the day? Or, will you become angered and frustrated by behavioural issues that may arise due to the fact that your dog is alone for long periods of time?
7. Are you willing to spay/neuter your dog, as soon as possible, to reduce the chance of an accidental breeding?
8. Do you travel frequently? Will it be difficult for you to find quality care for your dog when you are away?
9. Do you really love dogs? If you are truly motivated by your love of dogs, or a particular dog, you most likely don't need this page. You've done your homework and are ready for a lifelong commitment. You will train and play with your dog, provide appropriate veterinary care and nutrition, you will bath and groom him or her, happily, and the occasional behavioral problem won't throw you for a loop.
Image via Pinterest.
