If you are an un-experienced dog owner and are thinking about whether or not to get yourself a pet dog, there are several factors you need to think about and seriously consider before you make your final decision.
Sadly, far too many people get a dog without putting much thought into it, which can cause many problems.
Many dog charities like the Humane Society are overloaded with unwanted pet dogs.
Sadly many of these dogs are put down.
So we really try our best here at PupsterPassion.com to try and encourage all potential new dog owners to think carefully and then think some more before getting a dog.
Please don’t get us wrong. We don’t for one minute want to stop loving, responsible potential dog owners from getting a pup.
We want to try and stop as many unwanted pooches as possible from ending up in a dog rescue center or roaming the streets as strays!
Table of Contents
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting a New Dog or Puppy
Can You Afford a Dog?
There are a surprising number of costs of getting and owning a dog.
- Dog adoption fee
- Vaccinations costs
- Beds
- Toys
- Leads and Leashes
- Food costs
- Training Costs
- On-going veterinary bills for accidents and ailments
All of these costs can really add up. So it’s worth bearing them in mind when crunching the affordability numbers.
Will You Walk One?
Dogs need exercise. For two reasons
- Long term health
- To keep them happy and fulfilled
Most dogs will need a couple of good walks every day (not just when you feel like it!).
If you want a happy, healthy dog, you need to understand you will have to walk it a lot!
Can You Handle a Puppy?
Ok, we get it… Puppies are super, super cute, and we all love them!
BUT they are a lot of work. Sometimes more work than new dog owners anticipate.
- Puppies need lots of attention and training. (They pee and poop everywhere!)
- They need lots of meals.
- They need plenty of company and socialization.
It’s a lot of work. So please think twice before getting a very young pupster!
Is Your Home Suitable for a Dog?
You need to think about the size of your home and yard (if you have one) before you decide what breed of dog to get.
Also, think about things like the fact that your new dog could chew up your carpets or furniture. And that there may well be puddles and poop to clean up.
Do You Have Young Children?
Young children usually love dogs, and they can be a great combination.
But some dogs can be a bit too rough for little ones and in some cases vice versa!
Also, if you have one or more small children, do you really have time to care for, walk, and train a new pet dog as well?
Do you go on Vacation Much?
If you love spending time on vacation, you should think twice about getting a new dog.
You can put your dog in kennels while you go away but is that really very fair? And can you afford it?
Do You or Your Loved Ones have Allergies?
Even if you have not noticed any allergy to dogs in the family, it is worth double-checking.
Sadly many dogs have to be given up, not because the new owners don’t love the dog, but simply because the dog makes someone in the home ill.
Do You Work Long Hours?
If you work long hours, is it really fair to leave a dog at home? Especially if you can’t leave them outside?
When you come home from a long day at work, will you have time and energy to give your pooch the attention he or she really deserves?
Are You SURE You Want a Dog?
Ok…Like we said at the start, we don’t want to be too negative here!
Bringing a dog into your life can be a wonderful thing. It can make you much happier while also giving the dog a really happy life.
We hope to do with all these questions to really get you to think things through really carefully.
We want you to be 100% sure that you can give a dog a happy life that will also be great for you and your family BEFORE you make this big decision.
Thanks for reading!
The PupsterPassion.com Team
PS – If you think you might like to own a really hairy breed of dog, click here to read about the super hairy breeds.