A puppy is a huge responsibility. Sadly, a lot of people rush into buying a cute little puppy and then end up rehoming it when it grows into a troublesome adult dog. Because of this, it’s very important that you are 100% ready before you bring a puppy into your home. Here are five signs that your family is ready for the responsibility.
Your Kids are Older
There’s no cast-iron rule that says families with little kids shouldn’t have a dog, but it’s often better if your children are a bit older before you take on a puppy. Younger children don’t understand that a puppy needs sleep and his own space. They are sometimes too rough when handling puppies, and some pups are less tolerant of kids, which can cause upset for everyone.
Older kids are more responsible and can be tasked with walking the dog, feeding him, and reinforcing any training you do with him. They can also be trusted not to feed the dog inappropriate things, such as chocolate and cake.
Your Lifestyle Permits a Dog
When you regularly work a 50-hour week and you are hardly ever home until 10pm, it’s not really a good idea to buy a puppy. Pups need a lot of attention and they don’t cope well with being left home alone for long stretches. It’s far better if you work part-time, from home, or another family member is around to take care of the pup when you are at work.
It’s also a good idea to think about whether your lifestyle permits a dog in other ways. For example, if you love to travel, how will you manage with a dog? It’s OK if you love road trips in the US, but not so good if you enjoy traveling overseas.
Are you a sporty type? Will a dog fit into your exercise routine? Dogs can run if you enjoy jogging, but they can’t keep up with a bicycle if that’s your passion in life.
Your Finances are in Good Shape
Pets are expensive. Routine care can easily cost in excess of $400 per year for a dog, and if your pooch is accident prone and you don’t have insurance, you could be looking at a hefty bill.
You need to factor in the cost of food, insurance, dog accessories, and more. It is possible to save money if you take advantage of online coupon codes for various dog products but you still need to have enough disposable income to cope with unexpected expenses. The takeaway here is don’t get a puppy if your finances are precarious. It won’t end well.
The Whole Family Wants a Dog
Dogs are a big commitment, so it’s a really bad idea to bring home a cute puppy from the shelter if your other half isn’t on board with the idea. Not only will it cause a lot of anger and resentment, but the pup could potentially be ill-treated by a hostile family member.
Adding a puppy to the family should be a family decision. Talk it through and if anyone has reservations, make sure these are resolved before you buy or adopt a puppy.
Your Living Accommodation Accepts Pets
It’s a no-brainer really, but it’s a bad idea to bring home a puppy if your landlord or condo association bans pets. It’s kind of difficult to hide a dog for long, even if they are small. Do you really want to be evicted for having a dog?
Think it over before buying a puppy, and if at all possible, adopt an adult dog rather than a puppy. There are thousands of adult dogs stuck in shelters in the US, all of whom are desperate for a loving forever home. Why not give one of them a chance instead?