Making the decision to purchase a dog is often done without first considering what the new pet will mean to the family. Staring into those big, sad eyes can turn any rational adult into an impulsive buyer. While caring for a dog can be extremely rewarding for both the caretaker and the animal, dog ownership requires time, money, and energy (some breeds require more energy than others). When purchasing a dog, it’s best to research different breeds and temperaments and choose one that fits your situation well.
Consider Your Family’s Schedule
Today, many families have dual incomes and work outside of the home. Why is this important when purchasing a pet? For families in this situation, there may be no one home all day to let Fido out! A new puppy needs to be taken outside constantly to establish the outdoors as the potty area. Indoor training mats are a short-term solution for potty training, but you still have to be nearby to train the puppy exactly where to go and consistently reinforce correct behavior. And yes, the puppy will even need to go outside at night. If hauling your dog outside at 2:00 a.m. in the middle of winter doesn’t sound appealing, maybe wait until spring for a new pet. Take a hard look at how much time is spent at home versus away. If you are constantly away from home, whether for work or travel, think about how this will affect your dog emotionally (you are their pack!) and how it will impact you financially.
Let’s say that you decide to buy a dog. Since you’ll be at work during the weekdays, you hire a pet sitter to walk Fido each afternoon. Before hiring, you research area pet sitters to find a good, reliable caretaker. This pet sitter charges fifteen dollars per walk. At five walks per week, you’re spending seventy-five dollars per week, or three hundred dollars per month. That’s a car payment! You also want to make sure your dog is current on vaccinations, so you take them to the vet. Vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and worm medication can add up to two hundred dollars or more, depending on the services needed. The expenses begin to accumulate, especially if you take your dog to a groomer or enroll them in a dog training program. Unfortunately, dogs whose owners didn’t plan for the added expenses often end up in animal shelters. Before you buy, make sure you can fit your dog into the family budget.
Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family
What may be even more important than fitting a dog into your budget, however, is choosing a breed that fits your family’s personality. If you know you are a pushover, don’t buy a stubborn or strong-willed breed! If you have children, be sure to select a breed that is calm, docile, and forgiving. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a smaller dog will be easier to control; however, size does not always dictate behavior. Make sure to research each breed, considering size, temperament, and the home that will house the animal. While many dog breeds will do well in apartments or suburban homes, others prefer to live on a farm with cows to herd and plenty of space to run. That being said, every dog of every breed is an individual. Just like people, each puppy has its very own personality. Consider having your dog or puppy “temperament tested” by a professional dog trainer. What you find out may save you a lot of trouble down the road. If you know your dog has a nervous personality, you can plan ahead for it and avoid coming home to a half-eaten couch!
Whew, with all of that to think about, dog ownership may seem like a scary endeavor. While you can expect to lose a pair of socks to a chewing episode and maybe a few accidents on the carpet, you can also expect a companion who will love you unconditionally. Becoming a dog owner enters you into a lifelong partnership that may even teach you a few things about love, respect, and responsibility along the way. Dogs don’t care if your breath smells, whether or not you’ve showered this morning, or even that you left the entire sink full of dishes last night. They just want to be near you, get a pat now and then, and protect you from harm. Think long and hard before buying a dog, but once you do, it may surprise you just how quickly this animal becomes an invaluable member of your family.
