Having a dog (or puppy) as a pet is an exciting prospect for many people. They offer you unconditional love, and they also give you endless opportunities to spend quality time together. And if you’ve seen the photos, you immediately know that having a dog as a pet will instantly up your sartorial game too. However, before you commit to getting a dog or puppy of your own, there are a few things you should keep in mind first. As a dog owner thrice over I wanted to share with you some things you should know before getting a dog or a puppy.
So what are the pitfalls? Let’s take a look at 10 things to know before getting a dog or puppyso that when the day comes that you do decide to add another member to your family, you make sure it’s the right choice for you and your furry friend!
Be realistic about your expectations
You might think that getting a dog or puppy is as simple as going to the nearest breeder or shelter and picking out the cutest one you see. But the fact is, getting a dog is a big decision, and you’ll need to approach it with a level head. I would recommend getting a dose of reality first by reading this article ‘15 Reasons Not to Get a Dog’. It will soon help you realise if you’re not prepared for the massive responsibility that goes along with it. Getting a dog is an investment not only in terms of money but also your time and all the responsibility that comes with meeting their needs. You need to be ready for that and all the compromises you’ll need to make – of which there will be plenty!
Know about the different types of dogs
A lot of people get so excited about getting a dog or puppy that they don’t really do much research on the different types of dogs they can get. In my opinion, this is a major mistake as all breeds and their temperaments/needs/personalities are so different! If there’s one thing you should know, it’s what kind of dog you should get. You’ll notice that there are different types of dogs such as the working dog, the hunting dog, the herding dog, the guard dog, the companion dog, the agility dog and the utility dog. All of these kinds of dogs come with different needs, energy levels and particular quirks you will need to be aware of to make sure they are a good fit for your life and circumstances. If your dog is going to be around children you need to know that that breed has a good temperament. It’s imperative that you do your research first so you don’t end up having to re-home the dog, or even worse, have to search for experienced dog bite injury lawyers in Houston or your city because something has gone badly wrong.
Understand that a dog is an investment and requires commitment
Dogs are not your everyday kind of pet. If you’re thinking about getting a dog or puppy, you should know that getting a dog is an investment. You’ll have to make some serious sacrifices to care for it. For example, I often get up early before 6am to take my dog for a proper walk before then having to get breakfast on the table, do the school run and then sit down to work at a reasonable time. The bottom line is you’ll have to spend a lot of time and effort training it (I took a whole summer off to do this!), walking it, feeding it and taking it for regular checkups. None of this should be entered into lightly. Dogs or puppies are so much more than just cute companions. They are dependent on you in every single way.
Don’t just go for the first cute puppy you see
The first cute puppy you see might be the right one for you, but what if it’s not the right one for your dog? What if once you get them home you don’t get along? Or you find out that they are hyper-anxious and you don’t have the time to support or train them out of their anxious behaviour? They might be super playful then end up having crazy energy levels. There are so many factors you need to keep in mind before you make the decision to get a particular dog or puppy. You don’t have to get a dog just because it’s the first one you see. Make sure you do your research, and find a dog that you think will be a good fit for your life and your dog as well. Every puppy in a litter is different, as is every dog in a shelter or rescue centre.
Dogs are not perfect. They make mistakes too. Deal with it.
You might have heard a million times that dogs are ‘man’s best friend’ but the reality is they are far more perfect. No one is perfect, and dogs are no exception to that. They are bound to make some mistakes, and can sometimes drive you absolutely crazy with their behaviour – but that’s exactly what makes them special. And no, we’re not talking about the smell of doggie doo all over your living room or kitchen (yes that’s happened plenty of times in our house!). We’re talking about things that are relatively minor in nature, but may happen frequently.
They might try to jump up on you from too far away and know you over. Or they might try to take a bite out of your hands when you throw a ball. Maybe they will scratch your legs in the name of affection. They will probably make your sofas absolutely filthy. That’s just how dogs are. You have to be able to be very open-minded and let things go and deal with the chaos. Ultimately, you’ll need to learn to have a good laugh about it.
There’s no silver-bullet solution to training your new dog
Dogs might be ‘man’s best friend’, but they are not humans. You can’t expect them just to fit right in with your life and standards. They need training but know this – they are dogs, and they were not made to be trained; they were made to be animals that can eat, sleep, poop and be with you! Unfortunately, many people get too hung up on training their dogs. Although I do believe training is important, there is also a fine line. You can end up investing way more time and energy into it than you need to. It is important to get the basics right and make sure your dog knows what behaviour is expected of them. That said, they will still do totally crazy and mind-boggling things informed by their natural instincts. For example, breakdance all over the sofa!
Having a dog means chunking out time for you and your pet. Set limits!
The simple fact is having a dog is that it is going to take up a lot of your time. A lot of it! You are going to have to spend time walking it, feeding it and giving it basic care. You’re also going to need to train it, and you will have to spend some time socializing it as well. One of the worst things you can do when it comes to getting a new dog is to set a deadline for getting it trained and cared for. This is an ongoing process that never really ends. You might think that by setting a deadline, it will force you to get it all done. However having a dog or puppy just doesn’t work like that. You simply can’t project manage them as you do with everything else in your life.
The bottom line
Having a dog is a wonderful thing, but it is also serious business. Before you commit to getting a dog, you should be prepared to make the investment. It’s important to think things through carefully, set limits and make time for your new pet. Think about all the sacrifices you will have to make. Be confident that you will be able to swallow them. Hopefully, the article has helped you better understand what you’re getting yourself into when it comes to dogs.
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