4 Things to Consider Before Buying a Dog
Did you know that 38.4% of American households have dogs as pets? Considering that they’re known as “man’s best friend”, it’s no surprise why these canines are so popular!
You might be at a point in your life where you’re ready and financially stable enough to add a dog to your household. But it’s not as easy as picking up a pup and some supplies!
Are you thinking of buying a dog in the near future? Then you’ll want to keep reading. Here are 4 things to consider!
1. Dog Breeds
Dogs are just as wonderfully diverse as humans are. Not only do they have individual personalities, but there are also various dog breeds that can affect their temperament and needs.
Think carefully about your lifestyle and then choose a dog according to that. Don’t just fixate on a breed just because you think they’re pretty, because they just might not be suited for you!
For example, if you’re not very active and have a small living space, then a Samoyed wouldn’t be ideal for you. Instead, you should get a small bulldog.
2. Pet-Proofing Your Home
Dogs are just like children: they’re curious and will get into trouble while exploring your house if you don’t pet-proof it first.
Before you go get Fido, first take some time to make your home as safe as possible. Here are some basic things to do:
- Move everything that can be toxic to areas out of reach (including plants)
- Take care of hanging cords and vertical blinds
- Get covers to protect your furniture
When everything’s ready to go beforehand, it’ll be much easier when you have your hands full with your furry friend.
3. Training
You need to start training as soon as your dog comes home. Make sure you have enough time and energy to devote to this. Otherwise, your pup can grow up undisciplined, which can make them even tougher to deal with.
Research nearby training classes and see how long those classes take. You’ll also have to take into account the time you’ll spend at home reinforcing the teachings you’ve learned.
4. Where You Get Your Dog
After considering all the above, you need to think about where you’ll get your dog.
You can always get a puppy from a breeder, but do your due diligence. Make sure you’re not supporting a backyard breeder and that the person is reputable.
Of course, you can always adopt a dog from an animal shelter too. Do note that these furry friends often come from troublesome backgrounds, so you’ll have to put in more of an effort to make them feel loved and comfortable.
Make Buying a Dog Simpler With Our Tips
Buying a dog isn’t an easy thing to do. These creatures live for a long time and will become additional family members.
So don’t jump into things feet first. Make sure you take our tips into consideration and do your research thoroughly so you end up in the best situation possible!
To learn more about what you should do after getting a new dog, check out our other blog posts!