Tips before Buying a Dog

Tips before Buying a Dog

Tips before Buying a Dog

Almost everyone, especially kids, loves animals and instantly wants to adopt every one they see. If everyone could handle such a task the world would be free of homeless, uncared for animals. Unfortunately it's not that easy and one should consider carefully before taking on the responsibility. This becomes even truer if one is considering buying or adopting a puppy. The worst thing a person can do is bring a puppy home only to abandon it when it outgrows its cuteness. Impulse buys have no place in pet ownership.

People must consider that dogs can live up to twenty years. If you're not willing to care for it from birth to death, it's best to leave the dog for someone else. If you are 99% percent sure that you are ready for a new pet, here are a few things you should consider before making the final decision.

Time and Patience

Do you have time to care for the animal? This should be your first question. While a new puppy doesn't require quite the attention of a human baby, they still need lots of care. They need frequent trips to the bathroom and frequent feeding. They are energetic and will require lots of exercise. While older dogs are not a need intensive as puppies, they too will require your time, especially if you live in an apartment or other place without a yard for them to run in.

Training

Puppies need training and education just like human children do. The puppy isn't born knowing that it needs to go outside to use the bathroom. Nor will it think anything is wrong with chewing the legs off your dining room chairs. If you can't devote the time to teach the puppy the correct behavior, don't be surprised if it doesn't behave like you would like.

Money

Owning a dog can get expensive. Basics that are inevitable are food and pest control. Large dogs eat a lot. Don't be surprised by the food bill they can rack up. Even if your dog remains perfectly healthy they will still require at least the occasional trip to the vet for vaccinations and de-worming. As the dog ages, it will likely require medication, just like humans do.

Trips to the groomers are also a necessary cost for many breeds. If you have a dog from a breed that requires grooming, then expect at least quarterly visits to the groomers. Even short haired dogs need to have their nails clipped and other little hygiene concerns addressed from time to time. This means more money.

Temperament

It's impossible to tell how an adult dog is going to behave by analyzing the puppy. Though some indication can be drawn from the dog's parents, each puppy will grow up with its own personality. Often owners or families find that the adult dog just isn't compatible with their situation. These problems can be serious and will often make it necessary to give up the animal. Make sure you know the potential before you decide to take on ownership.

Breed

Breed is perhaps the most important decision you can make once you are set on getting a dog. Countless people adopt cute little puppies only to find that the two hundred pound adult they have a couple years later is more than they can handle. If you think you might like to have a large breed dog, examine your situation carefully and try to get some experience with them beforehand.

Do yourself and you potential companion a favor and make sure you know exactly what you're getting into before you get a dog as a pet. The rewards are many but so are the responsibilities.

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