Adopting a New Dog-Considerations your have to make

You’re happy at home, but there just seems to be something missing. Ah, it’s a dog. Remember when you were a child, the fun you had with your dog.

Whilst you can’t recapture your youth, you can fill the void. And for those of you who have children they will get to enjoy the love and attention of their very own dog. It will also help teach them ‘some’ responsibility. Teaching a love for animals and responsibility are only small side benefits of owning a dog.

When given the right care and affection, every dog is a good friend and the time and investment on them will be repaid several folds over. More than that, a dog's life spans more than fourteen years that they invariably become members of the family. Outside of marriage, adopting a dog is your only chance to choose a family member. Because of our strong attachment to dogs, it is not enough to have just another dog. It is too easy to fall into that kind of trap. It is so easy to fall in love with a puppy that is giving you its puppy eyes and begging for adoption. People have different personalities, so have dogs.

Having a dog is a lifetime commitment. Or at least a commitment you should keep as long as your dog lives. When you adopt a dog, it becomes your responsibility, whether you are in the mood to take good care of it or not.

Not a few dog owners leave their dogs tied to their chains unattended, day in, day out. Imagine how bored you would be if you have nothing to do, nowhere to go, every day, for the rest of your life. It isn’t fun. It's not fun particularly for pets who love to run around, play around, and have fun. 

Before adopting a dog, there are plenty of things you should think about. These ensure that your dog's life with you is a pleasurable experience. It is a responsibility to adopt a dog. It's expensive, time consuming and very demanding. For your efforts, you get a companion that can be an endless source of fun. On the dog's end, he gets to have a loving home for the rest of his life.

To ensure that your relationship with your dog would a rewarding experience, take a look at the following considerations before adopting a dog. 

So the first question you ask yourself – do you buy or to adopt a new dog. Both methods have their pros and cons. Most people head out to the breeders and pick up a purebred dog – sometimes paying large sums of money. That’s fine if you’re going to dog shows and competitions but some of the nicest and best tempered dogs can be found at the pound, or in foster care. It’s a much cheaper route and it gives a dog a much needed home.

But beware! You need to decide what type of dog, its age and size before you head out the door and then stick to it! Once you’re at the pound meeting the dogs you’ll see so many cute dogs that your heart can run away with you. So make a decision and stick to it, no matter how much pressure your children place on you!. Talk to your local rescue groups, go and see the fostered dogs. This is a great way to find a dog that suits your needs because you can ask the foster family about the dog before you commit, as well as seeing him in a family surrounding.

Are you committed to taking care of a dog?

Many people who adopt dogs do so just because they woke up one day wanting to have a pet. That's irresponsible, not to mention very selfish. Dog adoption is not something you can decide overnight. It needs thorough thinking.

If you are considering adopting a dog, it is highly advisable to first think it through. Don’t decide yet. Analyze first all the things that need to be considered before going to an animal shelter. In fact, talk yourself out of it and see if that changes your opinion. Remember, dog adoption is not something you can take very lightly. It is a major decision as it does not only affect you, it affects the life of the dog you are about to bring home.

Is it the best time for you to adopt a dog?

Maybe you are a die-hard dog lover. Maybe you are committed to giving a good life to a dog. But, is it really the best time for you to be adopting a dog?

In general, people are discouraged from adopting a dog if they are going through some major life events. These include getting married, changing job situations, pregnancy, moving to another place, rocky relationship, financial concerns, new limits on leisure time, disagreement within the family, sickness, death, and other concerns.

If you are undergoing or anticipating undergoing these tough situations, it will be better that you don’t adopt a dog yet. Many dogs have been surrendered to animal shelters because their old families didn’t have the time to take care of them or the leisure to pay them some attention.

How Much Time Do You To Spare?

Consider your newly adopted dog a new kid in your household. It demands maintenance, ample attention and plenty of time. Having a busy schedule does not work very well alongside taking care of a dog. If you think you don’t have enough time for yourself, you probably shouldn’t adopt a dog. Most dogs, even puppies, end up in animal shelters because their owners lack the time to take care of them. Dogs need ample attention during their first few weeks of stay at your home. So if you don’t think you can give a dog that, it is best that you delay your decision for a time.

Should You Choose A Puppy Or An Older Dog?

Most owners think that puppies are their best options when adopting a dog. These are much easier to train because they haven’t developed bad habits yet. Puppies can grow with their kids. And so on.

Wrong. Not because you are working with a clean slate does it mean that a puppy will not turn out as a piece of work. Unless you are adopting a puppy that has been sheltered by a rescue group or one that can be taken directly from its original owner, you should be wary about adopting a very young dog. Only rescue groups keep tab of their dogs' sources, observe their temperament, and investigate into their dogs' history. The rest just give them temporary foster homes.

Puppies are also not advisable for adoption because they are too young to show their true temperament, behaviours, and features. You also can't approximate how much training, grooming, and medical attention the dog will likely need.

On top of these, most puppies in animal shelters have had rough beginnings. This means that they have been through tough emotional, mental and physical stresses which could take a long time to erase. They need more than a cosy place to stay; they need thorough attention and care. Unless you are ready to fully commit yourself to the rehabilitation of a puppy, you should settle for a more mature dog.

Mature dogs in animal shelters are the ideal dogs to consider for adoption. You already have everything you need to know about the potential dog. Well, almost.

How Much Dog Activity Can You Handle?

Some dogs are content with nibbling your shoes; others need more than rough exercise. There are dog breeds that are made to be active outdoors while others can sit idle on your carpet for hours. Either way, you should pick a dog that matches your activity level. If you love being outdoors, you should prefer large or mid-sized dogs that are known for their high level of activity. For generally low-activity level households, breeds with lower exercise needs are ideal. Taking this precaution saves you troubles and your dog, boredom.

Can you shoulder the expenses?

Adopting a dog has its costs. Taking care of a dog adds additional financial responsibility. Dogs are quite expensive to maintain. Apart from shelling out bucks to cover the cost of adoption, there are also the routine expenses for grooming, medical expense, training, and others. Further, there are expenses for spaying or neutering surgery, for the initial obedience and socialization classes, and for the initial shots of vaccines. Then you will have to pay for ongoing expenses like food and treats, licensing costs, travel costs, regular vet checkups on top of paying for its health maintenance.