Many families find themselves wanting to get a dog for the family. Whether they grew up with one themselves and want to continue the tradition, or their kids have asked and they don’t want to disappoint them, there are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to this new addition to the family.
Some people make the mistake of rushing into buying one right away without considering all of the details first. Then they find themselves stuck in a tricky situation which they weren’t at all prepared for.
Having a dog is a big step for you and your family, and nothing to be taken lightly since it requires a lot of work. Before you rush into getting a dog for your family, here are the things that you’ll want to consider first.
Do You Have Enough Space?
A dog needs to have room to move around and burn off energy. If you live in a small apartment and are considering getting a medium to a large sized dog, you may want to consider that this size of living quarters simply won’t work.
A dog requires a backyard which has plenty of room for the animal to roam freely, however, must be fenced. Otherwise, you could lose your dog quite easily and be in for a lot of stress.
Is The Breed Recommended For Children?
The breed of dog that you are considering may be a poor choice according to experts. Some dogs are more appropriate for younger children, while others aren’t recommended due to their temperament.
Try to choose a breed which is known for being gentle and fun-loving. Dogs which are notorious for biting or developing nervous habits could lead to serious injury in children, and in some cases, even death.
Do You Have The Budget?
Dogs cost a lot more money than the initial purchase. A dog needs to be vaccinated, bathed, groomed, fed, and taken to the vet when necessary.
If your dog gets ill or injured are you willing to put forth potentially thousands of dollars to fix the issue? If the answer is no, then you should definitely consider that you aren’t a good candidate for a dog.
Are You Ready For The Long-Term Commitment?
Dogs can live as many as 20 years old. That means that you’ll potentially have your animal long after your children have left the nest and you’ll be required to care for it.
It’s important to remember that you’ll be required to look after this dog much longer than just the puppy years. You’ll have to find dog-sitters if you travel, and take it on walks and out to pee for years to come. Is this something that works for your lifestyle?
Originally posted on April 22, 2018 @ 12:57 pm
