Five Things To Consider Before You Buy A Dog

Planning - By Staff Writer on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 18:29

So you want to get a puppy. Are you sure? While we are the first to tell you how wonderful having a dog is and how much joy they will bring you, dogs are not for everyone and this is not a decision to be made lightly. It’s crucial you understand what the commitment means and make sure you are making the decision for the right reasons. Below are some things to consider before you take the plunge.

Long Term Plans
A dog is a commitment for the life of an animal and in the case of dogs this can be upwards of 15 years depending on the breed and if they are healthy. While there is no way to tell what the future holds, if you buy a puppy you need to understand that your future plans need to include that dog. This is particularly important if you are buying a dog with a significant other.  While we do not mean to be pessimistic you need to consider who gets the dog if things don’t work out? Even if you are solo and buying a puppy you need to consider how it will affect your future. If you move you will have a harder time finding a pet friendly apartment; if you decide to go to Europe for a month you will have to find someone to look after your dog. It’s important to consider all the implications before you buy a dog not as they come up.

Dog Economics
Dogs, while worth every penny, are not cheap. Every year there will be shots and checkups, heartworm medications, flee and tick treatment, and any other medications your dog needs. On a daily basis there will be food and treats. Occasionally there will be new beds, toys, leashes, harnesses, and boarding. If you are in the city you may have a walker or daycare daily. In the event of an emergency, you may have to spend thousands with or without insurance. All of this adds up to a small fortune depending on how much you decide to invest in your best friend. At a bare minimum you can expect to pay about $1000 a year on keeping your dog safe and healthy.  You need to make sure this is something that is easily affordable and you are willing to make the sacrifice to keep your dog healthy even if the going gets rough.

Time
Dogs are social creatures that need interaction with people and other dogs. This takes time and energy. Daily walks and visits to dog parks are necessary to keep your dog happy and healthy. Without proper exercise and stimulation many dogs turn to destructive behaviors such as chewing (your furniture, shoes, insert anything important here) as an outlet. So while you may be used to heading straight to happy hour on a Thursday night, having a dog may mean you have to run home to walk Fido first.  You will find if you do get a dog that your social network will expand to include dog friends and the sacrafice becomes more of a blessing than anything.

Patience
Puppies don’t come trained. They don’t know the difference between your new shoes and their toys or the carpet and the grass outside. There will be accidents, things chewed, crying at night and hours and hours of training. Even older dogs that are adopted will need lots of patience to adjust to a new home and new surroundings.

They Will Cease To Be Puppies
It is a sad but true fact of life, your little puppy will grow up. He might grow up and be so big you can't carry him around in your bag, he might go gray and get arthritis, and he might get sick and gain weight ... it will happen and they will still need love. You need to be prepared to love him no matter what happens or how he looks, he is not a fashion accessory.

All things considered, if you feel you are ready for the commitment and can provide your puppy a loving stable home for its life then it’s time to get excited and start planning for your new arrival.