When you adopt a dog, you make them a part of the family. That means actually treating them like one. To do that, you’ll need to make sure you’re ready to adopt. That means asking yourself a few questions before getting a dog.
While that might seem obvious, it doesn’t mean everyone asks themselves the questions they should. By overlooking a few of them, you might be unprepared to have a dog as part of the family.
If you’re seriously considering getting a dog, it’s worth diving into five of the most important questions to ask yourself.
Getting A Dog: 5 Questions To Ask
1. Do You Have Enough Time For Them?
Dogs need a lot of time and attention to be cared for properly. You’ll have to make sure you have the time needed to actually care for them. They’ll be dependent on you, after all. You’ll need to look after various things when you’re doing this.
Taking them for walks, playing with them, and even taking them to the vets can all be time-consuming things. Think of what your lifestyle is already like. If it’s too hectic and busy, then it mightn’t be recommended that you get a dog. If you have plenty of time to spare, however, it’ll be more than worth it.
2. Do You Have The Patience For Training?
Every dog needs to be trained, no matter how old it is. For puppies, there’ll be quite a bit of this, while older dogs mightn’t need as much. They’ll need to get used to obeying your commands and actually do what you tell them to do.
As obvious as that is, it takes quite a bit of patience. Make sure you have enough of this before you adopt a dog. Some breeds will pick things up faster than others, but it can still be a time-consuming process. Be willing to spend the time on it to make everything else easier for yourself.
3. What Will You Feed Them?
You’ll naturally need to feed your dog a few times a day, but you’ll have to know what you can actually feed them. You’ll already know about different dog food brands and similar areas, but then there are the various human foods you’ll need to think of.
Can Dogs Eat Tortilla Chips? What about barley, for example? Find out more about that here: https://www.nextritionpet.com/blogs/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-barley. Put some time and effort into making sure you know exactly what you can and can’t feed them. They’ll be much healthier because of it, and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
4. Which Breed Should You Get?
Not all dog breeds are made the same. Some need more exercise than others, as well as having different temperaments. Then there’s the different health issues that could come up for various breeds. You’ll need to know all of this before deciding on which kind of breed you should get.
If you already have a specific breed in mind, then it’s worth putting some research into them. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect before you get them. Be as informed as possible before getting a dog, and you shouldn’t have a problem properly taking care of them.
While that seems like a time-consuming task, it’s a crucial part of getting a dog. It’ll make sure you’re responsible for them.
5. Can You Afford Them?
While you should always adopt a dog instead of buying, you’ll still need to consider the costs of actually owning a dog. These could be a lot higher than you might’ve realized. You’ll have to worry about their food and water, toys, and even extra bills. That’s without even considering any vet bills you’ll have to pay.
You’ll need to make sure you can afford all of this. Put some real thought into it. If you can’t afford to give a dog the care and affection they deserve, then it’s worth leaving it off for a while. Wait until you’re in a position where you can afford to properly take care of them.
Getting A Dog: Wrapping Up
Getting a dog can be great for many reasons, and companionship and unconditional love are both reasons why you should consider it. They come with a lot of responsibility, so you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared to offer that.
Knowing which breed you should get, what you should feed them, and whether you have enough time for them are some of the first things to consider. Make sure you think them over before getting a dog.
