Are You REALLY Prepared to Get a Dog!?

 

One of the top reasons for people re-homing their dog is because they didn’t realise the commitment involved in caring for a dog. There’s no doubt, dog owning is a wonderful thing and there are so many benefits to sharing your life with a four-legged friend. But…It can also be more challenging than you imagined and, often, there are sacrifices to be made. You may only discover this once it’s too late and you have already welcomed a puppy, or dog into your home. Are you really prepared for a dog? Holidays4Dogs has complied a list of a few points you may want to consider.

Are all members of the family in agreement about getting a dog?

Being under pressure from other members of the family, perhaps a spouse, or children, means that the right decision might not be met. It’s important that everyone in the family has similar motivations for getting a dog and everyone understands and accepts the commitment involved.

Do all the members of your family work long hours?

Generally speaking, becoming a dog owner when you already work full time can be problematic. Not least because, it would be unfair on a puppy  to be left alone for such long hours, even if you employ a dog walker.

There are possibly some instances where this might work. For instance, if you were to take on an older rescue dog and employ a dog walker, (or family member). Alternatively, full time doggy day care might be the answer. However, consider how much time you will actually be spending with your own dog, particularly as day care will be a significant cost.

Most dogs need a great deal of training and exercise. Without this, you may well end up with an unruly and difficult to manage pooch. Spending time with your dog means you bond better with him, or her. Dogs are super companions, but if you are rarely with your dog – who benefits?

What will happen when you go on holiday?

If you enjoy plenty of family holidays, is this something you can include your dog with? Do you regularly travel abroad for work or vacations?  If so, you will need to consider  holiday dog care from a reputable company such as Holidays4Dogs.

You may find yourself in situations where you are unable to do the things you want, because you need to get back to let the dog out, or because there is nobody available to look after him. Organising suitable dog care in advance will be important.

For more information about dog stays with Holidays4Dogs you can find out more here.

Have you considered the costs involved?

dog sitting, pet sittingKeeping dogs need not cost a small fortune. However, they don’t come cheap either. The initial outlay for a pedigree dog can run into several hundred pounds and even rescue dogs can cost between one and three hundred pounds on average.

There are also vaccinations, food, equipment and pet care bills to consider. It is well worth researching pet insurance options which will cover you for unexpected health issues, or accidents.

Conclusion.

Probably the biggest question to ask yourself when considering whether to get a dog is; can you commit to it for the next 10 – 15 years? Dogs are wonderful companions and pets, but they require a lot of dedication and commitment. Therefore, it is well worth considering how a dog will fit into your long term plans, as well as day-to-day.