Thinking about getting a dog?

Puppies can be adorable, hard-to-resist packages of joy. However, developing puppies also require a lot of care and a set schedule, which can be challenging if your life is hectic.

Make sure you can provide for a puppy or dog and ensure that they live a happy, healthy life before getting one. You can determine if you are prepared for the commitment by answering the questions listed below.

There is no question about it - I spent months researching the breeds I wanted and the breeder I wanted them from. I was shocked to learn these numbers:

The Kennel Club investigation found that:

10% of dog owners admitted to purchasing their pet on a whim.

40% of respondents admitted to purchasing a puppy only for its appearance.

Only 10% of people said they purchased a puppy after making sure it suited their lifestyle, which is the most crucial thing to take into account!

It's crucial to think about how owning a dog might affect your own life as well as whether your way of living is acceptable for having a dog. No matter how much you may want a dog, if you can't give it your all and care for its requirements, it won't be fair to them. For example some breeds require grooming very frequently which is something you need to be able to factor into your daily routine and job also financially.

Before buying or rescuing a dog ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly:

1. Can you commit to them long term?

- Knowing that the average lifespan of a dog can be anywhere from 8-15 years

2. Can you afford to maintain the dog throughout their lifetime?

- Grooming, training, collars/leads, beds, bowls, toys, insurance, boarding kennel/pet sitters, vet bills etc

3. Do you have enough space?

- If you live in a small inner-city flat without a garden, a large dog will not be the ideal pet for you. You need to think realistically about what you can achieve with what you have to not be unfair to the dog

4. Do you have the time?

- Dogs are time intensive and require a lot of attention, play, devotion and training, especially while they are young.

5. Can you commit to exercising your dog?

- All types of dogs need to be walked every day. The amount of time spent exercising will vary depending on the breed you choose. Even when it’s raining and cold, you will still need to take your dog for a walk.

6. Can you keep your dog company?

- As pack animals, dogs do not like to be left on their own for too long and need a routine they can rely on. If you are consistently working full time and can’t guarantee that your dog will have company during the day, you should ask yourself if getting a dog is a good idea.

7. Have you talked about it with your family/roommates?

- Getting a new puppy is a big decision that will certainly have an impact on your life. It’s vital that your family, or anyone that you live with, is involved in this decision.

8. Will you be able to comfort the puppy/rescue while they adjust and settle into their new home?

- Living with a new owner and moving away from the familiarity of their mother and siblings can be a very anxious and stressful time for a puppy. During this period, your puppy will need a significant amount of comfort and reassurance. Regularly leaving them can encourage separation anxiety

9. Do you have other pets?

- If you already have a dog, cat or any other pets, you should consider how they may react to another animal in the house. Older pets may not want a new puppy in the house and other personality types of dog/pet may prefer a solitary life.

10. Are you prepared for the cleaning and dedication required for training?

- Puppies and rescues may toilet in the house until they are toilet trained. This requires taking them out very frequently to ensure they do their business outside and not on your nice new rug. Training doesn't happen overnight and to create a well mannered dog that is well socialised you will need to go to classes. Even if you have had dogs before this is a new dog that needs socialising correctly and in controlled situations.

You may not yet be in a position to buy a dog if you've read the questions and responded negatively to any of them. You could be feeling let down, but as a dog lover, you won't fully appreciate the value of dog ownership until you can put the dog's wellbeing first. Your dog will be worth the wait, and once your circumstances have altered, we can assist you in choosing the ideal canine friend in the upcoming blogs!