Recently someone I know brought their daughter a puppy, they have had and have got rid of 6 dogs in 10 years, I grew up with dogs (and although I don't live at home, my parents have 3, one of which I think of as 'mine', I don't live in or live an environment that would work for having a large dog (which mine is!)
So here is my little run down (right or wrong) of whether you think you are ready for a dog!
A dog will do their best to please you and keep you smiling. They will curl
up with you when you are feeling down or need some serious relaxation.They won't hold your mistakes against you or prejudge you for your looks,
faults or lack of know-how. They will be your unconditional friend and will
play ball with you as long as you wish. They will forgive you for all your
mistakes, never holding them against you later. Sleeping at your feet
and loving to please you, they will enjoy just spending time with you.
However, a dog also relies on you for everything—from their food, water,
shelter, leadership, exercise, grooming, to their training, veterinary
care, companionship and protection. Know what you are getting into. Are
you prepared to spend the next 10-15 years of your life taking care of
your dog? That is about how long your dog will live. Can you afford the
added expense of a dog? When you get a dog, it is a life-long
commitment, and should not be treated like a piece of furniture that you
can just "get rid of" when you get tired of it. After all, this dog
will be part of your family. Would you get rid of your children because
you were tired of them wetting their beds? Are you prepared to accept
the fact that dogs are not little humans
and invest some time into learning how to properly treat your dog in
order to keep him or her balanced? Before you bring a dog into your home
think long and hard. Are you prepared for the responsibility? Do you
understand natural dog behaviour? Do you understand what makes a dog tick
and what it instinctually needs as a canine animal? Are you willing to
invest the time it takes? A dog's temperament is a direct result of the
owner’s ability to understand him and give him what he instinctually
needs as a canine animal.
The decision to get a dog needs to be carefully thought out. Do you
honestly have the time to take care of a dog? Are you prepared to walk
it every day? Are you prepared to show the dog consistent leadership,
putting your emotions aside and seeing it as a canine? Are you prepared
to train it? What kind of dog should you get? Some people think a dog is
a dog. I hear them say they don't care what breed of dog they get.
There are many different breeds with many different needs. Honestly
think about it and do your homework. Think about your family as it is
right now, and how it will be in the future.We always rescue dogs (and I urge anyone to adopt - but also be vary of any problems they can also come with, needing more attention etc!)
Every family has its own needs, schedule, personality, medical
problems, space and time limitations. If you take a good hard look at
your family's situation, you can match a dog that will fit into your
lives nicely and not just make things more awkward and difficult.
Is anyone in your family allergic to dog hair? Are you bothered by
hair on everything from your clothes to your toast? Some breeds are
heavy shedders, while others hardly shed at all. Do you have children?
Are you going to have children in the next 10-15 years? Do you have
friends who visit your home who have children? Are you prepared to learn
how to teach your child how to display leadership toward the dog? Do
you mind holes being dug in your yard? Some dogs like to dig if they
hear something moving underground, while others are less likely to dig.
Do you mind if your dog has a tendency to wander away from home, or
would you rather have a dog that would be more likely to stick close to
home? Some hunting breeds will roam if they catch a scent of another
animal; it is in their nature, while others have a strong instinct to
stick close to home.
All dogs, regardless of breed, size or energy level need to be taken on a daily walk.
Within each and every litter there are pups born with different energy
and dominancy levels. You need to choose a dog whose energy level
matches or is lower than your own. If your family is not very active, do
not choose a pup with a higher energy level. If you are a laid-back
family, do not choose a pup with a higher dominancy level.
The degree of
exercise varies. Some dogs need daily vigorous exercise and you would need to take it out every day for a run and a nice long walk, while others will get enough exercise with a shorter walk
and by running around the inside of your house. Some dogs need a job to
do or they will become restless, bored, very destructive and unruly.
Other dogs will settle for just a short walk. Some can be highly
obedience-trained, while others cannot.
Get the point? All dogs are different, and all families are
different. Find a dog that fits well into your family, so you and your
dog can live in harmony.
It's your choice. Do your homework. Research the different kinds of
breeds and take a long, hard look at your life and don't forget, that cute little puppy does grow up to be an adult dog. Never adopt a puppy, or adult dog, solely on looks. If you are looking to adopt a dog, don't forget to rescue if you can. There are many great rescue groups and organisations
who have wonderful homeless dogs just waiting for someone like you to
take them home and love them.
Hope this helps if you are thinking of getting a dog!
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