4 Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before Getting a Dog

Humans and dogs have an incredible connection, but that doesn’t mean everyone should have a pet dog. Before welcoming a four-legged friend into your life, you should ask yourself some serious questions.

Some people don’t realize how hard owning a dog can be. You might have been dreaming of owning a dog since you were a small child, but that doesn’t mean you should jump the gun by getting one without being fully prepared to take on such a big commitment. 

1. Can You Afford The Dog?

Even if you adopt a dog without having to pay a single penny, the cost of owning a dog will burn a hole in your wallet. Most good dog food doesn’t come cheap, but your dog will need it to maintain a healthy diet.

Of course, you can prepare your own dog food at home to save a small amount of cash, but most dog owners purchase commercial food like this dry dog food from Scratch. Consider finding out the cost of the dog food for sale at your local veterinarian. 

Dog’s need regular medical attention. They will need plenty of shots, vaccinations, checkups, the list goes on. You might want to consider taking out a pet insurance policy to help you cover the cost of some of their medical bills.

According to a recent survey, a person will spend approximately $1,500 on a small dog, $1,800 on a medium-sized dog, and over $2,000 on a large dog within the first year. The expense is something you should think about, especially if you are already in financial difficulty. 

2. Do You Have Time?

If you lead a busy life, how are you going to make time to take care and train your pet? Those who work full-time often struggle to make time for their dogs.

This can have a terrible impact on your furry friends’ mental and physical health. Most dogs crave attention from their owners, so if you are rarely around, they might get sad and lonely. 

Most dogs require regular walks, so you have to create some time to bring your dog for a stroll every single day. Playtime is also of vital importance.

It will keep your dog happy, and it will be a great way to build up a bond between you and your pet. If you don’t have enough time to give a dog the attention they deserve, you might have to wait for another stage in your life before you adopt. 

If you work away from home on a regular basis, you might want to inspect the local boarding kennels in your area. Before you get the dog, ask your local kennel for a tour. This way, you will know your dog is in safe hands when you are not around. 

3. Are You Ready to Start Training?

Trained dogs tend to be happier animals. Owners who are able to communicate with their dogs often build an incredible relationship with their pets. Some dog owners hire a professional dog trainer to teach their pets, while others learn the different techniques themselves. 

Before you get a dog, you should think about learning how to teach your dog the basics, even if you are adopting a puppy. In the past, a lot of training was done by punishing dogs when they did something their owner didn’t like, but most trainers use positive reinforcement techniques nowadays.

With this method, you must reward the dog every time they do something you want them to do. Treats are often the best way of rewarding dogs for good behavior, but not all dogs are motivated by food.

Some prefer praise while others like to be rewarded with toys. You will quickly learn what motivates your dog, so don’t worry if they don’t get excited every time you give them a treat. 

Most professional dog trainers who use positive reinforcement encourage their clients to start training a dog the moment they adopt. Most dogs love routine, so you will have to be consistent with your training. 

4. Can You Get Up Early In The Morning?

Even if you have plenty of time on your hands, you will have to be able to wake up very early in the morning to let your four-legged friend outside, especially when they are young.

Puppies will need to go outdoors several times each day before they are fully potty trained. You can expect to wake up at the wee hours of the morning, every single day of the week!

If you have to go to work in the morning, or your children need to go to school, you might struggle to get a good night’s sleep due to your dog. Be prepared for challenging times ahead before bringing a new dog home.