Are you ready for a dog? That’s the question you’ve probably been asking yourself for a while now. Nobody takes the decision lightly because it’s a big responsibility. Your kids might have been nagging you for a while, and you’ve seemed like the cruel adult for not granting their wish, but there’s a lot to consider. If you’re still on the fence then the following points of consideration should help you definitively decide whether you’re ready for a dog or not.
Time.
This is perhaps the most important factor of owning a dog. You’re now responsible for a living creature, much like your own children. This living creature needs to be fed, bathed, and walked. He or she will also need to use the toilet, and they’ll also want a lot of love and attention, much like any living thing. Nobody wants to be left alone, and you’ll need to ensure there’s always somebody around to look after him or her (excluding work or school hours, perhaps).
The point is that you need to be ready to invest time into your new pet. You can’t just let he or she become neglected once the novelty of a new puppy has worn off. The overused quote that a puppy isn’t just for Christmas rings true here. If you are going to be out of the house for a few hours then you need to make sure you’ve left some food for your little pup and that you take them out for a long walk before and after you get back. If at all manageable, however, there should always be someone in the house with your dog. This isn’t just for the sake of keeping your home tidy but keeping your new little addition to the family happy.
Training.
You might want to click here to look at some potential options in terms of puppy training to get a feel as to whether this is the right decision for you and your family. It’ll take some dedication, and that’s the important thing to remember. You’ll love your puppy, but there’s going to be a learning curve; you might have to deal with a few mishaps in terms of knowing to go outside to use the toilet, for example, but if you’re willing to go through that then you’ll come out the end with a dog who will be a well-behaved addition to the family. In fact, they might create less mess than your child, thinking about it.
Affection.
This was briefly mentioned earlier, but I think it needs to be reaffirmed as the final and most crucial point. Your dog needs love, and if you’re not prepared to give him or her that then you’re not ready for a dog. This little puppy shouldn’t just be a status symbol or some “object” that you own much like any other furnishing in your house. They’re part of your family, and you need to be ready to treat them as such. If you love them then all the other pieces of advice throughout this article will fall into place. You’ll naturally want to feed them regularly, walk them regularly, play with them, bathe them, and do anything to look after them. It should all be natural.[spacer height=”20px”]
