Five Things To Know Before Adopting A Dog
Excited about getting the newest addition to the family?! Finally making the decision to get a dog is an exciting new chapter. There are many important factors to consider before taking the leap. Here, I break down the 5 most crucial things to consider.
BREED: Dogs breeds determine natural instinct, temperament, physical features, etc.. It’s a rough blueprint to the dog you’re considering getting. Knowing what to expect from various breeds will help you determine if it’s the right dog for you.
LIFESTYLE: This factor lines up with knowing and understanding the breed of the dog. When considering which dog is right for you, think about what each type of dog requires as a lifestyle and if you are able to meet those needs. How many hours of exercise is needed daily? Will they do well in the climate you live in? Researching the lifestyle needed for any dog you’re considering will help you make the right decision.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Different breeds of dogs are known to require more vet visits. Some are more prone to disease and injuries due to aging or genetic factors. It’s important to know if you are ready for this type of financial commitment. A dog with genetics that require frequent vet visits needs more financial consideration than just the standard level of care. Are you ready for that type of financial commitment or should you choose a dog breed known to need a less intensive level of care.
TRAINING: Some dog breeds don’t require much training or an owner that has extensive knowledge on training a dog. However, certain breeds need more extensive and rigorous training to be safe around children/families or other animals. For the safety of all persons and animals this factor should be thoroughly thought through. It’s crucial to research if the dog breed you’re looking at suggests more extensive training.
COMMITTMENT: Possibly the most important factor to consider is whether you feel you are ready and prepared to spend the time needed to properly care for your dog. A dog is a huge undertaking and it’s important to think about if you are ready to commit the time to exercise, train, and love on your dog. Think about how much time daily you are prepared to set aside for your dog. If an emergency with your pet arises, are you able to take care of that emergency relatively easily or would the burden be too much? If you have made it this far into the blog then i would say so far so good ;)
The decision to adopt bring a new dog home, whether for adoption or fostering is worth taking the time to do some research. Happy, safe homes for you and your pet is the goal!