At some point or another, you might consider getting a dog. It’s something countless people consider all the time, and it’s easy to see why. Once you get them, you’ll see more than a few benefits, like:
- Helping you feel less alone
- Making you more social with other dog owners
- Helping you relax and deal with stress
- Encouraging you to get more active
- Making you happier overall
Even if you’re on the fence about getting a dog, these could be more than enough to persuade you to take the plunge. You shouldn’t just rush into it, however. It’s worth making sure you know a few things beforehand.
Owning a dog is a major responsibility, after all. You’ll have a new furry family member to take care of, and they’ll be with you for years to come.
This doesn’t have to mean it’ll be complicated, though. By knowing a few things before you get them, you shouldn’t have much to worry about. You’ll be in a much better position to get a dog and actually take care of them. Seven particular areas help with this.
Getting a Dog: 7 Things to Know First
1. It’s Time-Consuming
Once you get a dog, you’ll need to spend a decent bit of time looking after them. Most people underestimate how much time they’ll need to invest in their dog. Make sure you’re prepared to spend a lot of time looking after them. There’ll be walks, feeding them, and much more.
You’ll need to do this on a daily basis, and you can’t exactly skip a day. Make sure you have the time to actually look after your dog once you get them. If you lead a busy lifestyle, then it mightn’t be appropriate to actually get one.
2. You’ll Need to Buy a Lot
You’ll already know you’ll need to get a few things when you’re getting a dog. You already would’ve thought about the most obvious of these, like a dog bed. What you mightn’t have realized is you could end up needing to get quite a bit. It’s easy to overlook a few necessities.
And that’s without mentioning the stuff that can make life as a dog parent easier, like a dog hair remover for car. These can all be more helpful than you’d think, and they’re more than worth putting some time and effort into getting. Make a list of what you think you’ll need, and get them.
3. Dogs Are Expensive
Speaking of getting a few things for your dog, it’s worth noting that this could end up being an expensive process. Even if everything is low-cost by themselves, the cost could add up more than you’d think. This doesn’t end once you’ve picked up the essentials, though.
There’ll be more than a few ongoing costs you’ll need to be aware of. That’s especially true when it comes to dog food and pet insurance. These can be relatively affordable, but you’ll still need to make sure you can afford them long-term. Take the time to factor your finances into this.
4. They’ll Need to be Exercised a Lot
Dogs need to be exercised, and you’ll need to do this a lot more regularly than you’d think. While a lot of this depends on the breed of dog you get, you’ll need to walk them at least once or twice a day. Many breeds even need to spend some time running around for a while.
This is part of the reason why they can be so time-consuming to look after. Keep this in mind before you get a dog. It’s also worth knowing which kinds of exercises would be best for your dog before you get them.
5. Healthcare is a Priority
Everyone knows they should take their dog to the vet when they’re sick. This is far from the only time when you should think about their health, though. It’s an area you’ll need to be proactive with, and exercising them is just the tip of the iceberg. Make sure you know how to look after their health.
The food they eat is an obvious factor in this, but it’s also worth having a pet first aid kit and similar resources for when you need them. The more proactive you are with your dog’s health, the healthier they’ll be long-term.
6. Remember They’re For Life
Before you get a dog, take the time to remember they’re for life. They’re not something you should get on a whim, and you’ll need to spend a lot of time looking after them. This isn’t just for the short-term, and they’ll be a part of the family for quite some time.
Most dogs live for over a decade, with some even having lifespans much longer than that. You’ll need to keep that in mind when you’re getting them. They can be a life-long commitment, and you’ll have to make sure you’re actually committed to them for that long. If you’re not, don’t get one.
7. Pet-Proofing is Vital
You’ll already know you’ll need to pet-proof your home, and you’ll put a bit of effort into it. Make sure you do more than just the basics, though. It’s worth going out of your way to make sure your home is as safe as possible for your new dog. It helps with their safety, after all.
Think of anything that could pose a threat to your dog in their daily life. Even keeping products with chemicals out of reach is a priority. You wouldn’t want them accidentally consuming something that could poison them, for example.
Tips for Getting a Dog & Looking After Them
There’s a lot to know before getting a dog, and this can make it feel a little overwhelming, especially if it’s your first dog. You could end up having second thoughts about it, but that isn’t a path you need to go down. There are ways to make it easier for yourself.
Knowing all of the above is a great start, but you can also use a few tips and tricks once you get your dog. That way, you can make the process feel less overwhelming, and you could even end up making it a lot easier for yourself.
Some of the more notable of these tips are:
- Research Different Breeds – Different breeds of dog need more care than others. None should be treated the same, and you can see these differences in diet, behavior, and much more. It’s worth researching the different breeds to figure out which breed you want the most. Some could be more appealing than others, depending on your preferences.
- Consider Microchipping – Microchipping your dog offers more than a few benefits. If they happen to go missing, then finding your dog will be much easier. You should have much less to worry about, especially when it comes to your dog’s health and safety. It’s a quick and easy process.
- Be Ready for Setbacks – You’ll already know you’ll need to train your dog and get them used to being in your home. While this should go relatively smoothly, be prepared for setbacks. Accidents happen, and you’ll need to deal with these. Don’t see them as a bad thing. Instead, see them as learning opportunities for you and your new dog.
- Get the Family Involved – If you’re getting a dog as a family pet, then it’s worth making sure your family is involved in the process from the get-go. They should be a part of picking the right dog, their training, and much more. The more involved they are with the process, the more responsible they’ll feel for the dog going forward. You’ve no reason not to.
Getting a dog shouldn’t be an overwhelming process, and there are more than a few ways to make it easier for yourself. Using a few tips and tricks should be more than enough to help.
You’ll not only take a decent bit of stress out of the process, but you’ll end up taking much better care of your new dog. There’s no reason not to spend a bit of time and effort figuring out which tips will help you. With how important taking care of your dogs is, you’ve no reason not to.
Wrapping Up
If you’re thinking about getting a dog, then it’s worth making sure you know a few things first. You’ll be taking on a decent amount of responsibility, after all. By knowing as much as you can beforehand, you’ll put yourself into a position where you can actually take care of them.
Thankfully, this doesn’t need to be too complicated. Instead, it can be a lot more straightforward once you actually know what you’re doing. You’ll have no problem getting a dog and making sure they’re well taken care of.
While it can feel a little overwhelming at the start, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. You’ll see more than a few benefits once you’ve gotten your dog, and you’ll make sure they’re as happy and healthy as possible.
