Your dog can be your exercise partner, your loving companion, and a compassionate pet. But you also need to know that pet ownership takes more than just giving them food and water. It requires a hefty amount of work, money and time (especially in the beginning). When you first adopt a dog you’re getting to know each other and there are important things you have to consider before you adopt a dog whether from a shelter or a breeder.
Things to Consider When You Adopt a Dog
Dog adoption is a decision that should never be taken lightly. While you think you are pretty capable of showering them with love and kindness, it is still essential to think if you have the time, money and space when bringing home an additional member of the family. Here are some of the things that you need to carefully consider before you welcome a rescued dog into your house and your life.
Think Carefully About the Type of Dog You Want To Adopt
For those who will visit a breeder or shelter for the first time, the amount of adorable dogs that awaits you in either facility may lead to a hasty decision. You need to think carefully and make a thorough plan about your perfect companion before you decide to adopt a dog. The first thing you need to consider is your space. Those who live in a compact type of house should choose a smaller dog, for the active dog, you need to have a yard where he can run. In case you love to travel, you need to make sure that someone will be there to take care of your dog. For those who are still living with their parents and siblings, you need to ask them if they want a furry friend in the house as much as you do.
Adopting Vs. Buying
Most people choose to buy their dog at pet store or puppy mill rather than to go to a shelter even though the pets in the shelter are more adorable. The aim of the pet store is to make money, and the goal of the shelter is to save dogs. Remember that for every dog bought in a pet store, a puppy in a shelter needs to be euthanized. Save a dog through dog adoption rather than buying your dog from a breeder.
Time Commitment
For those who choose not to provide their puppy with the right amount of attention and time, they will realize that their dog will develop bad habits such as aggressive behavior, chewing furniture/shoes/expensive items, excessive barking and most often, urinating on just about everything. It may take hours each day to train your puppy (or even grown dog), but you will benefit in the long run. Perhaps you have seen a quiet dog waiting outside a store even without a leash, and in the presence of many dogs. That good behavior did not develop overnight; it is a result of extensive hours of training the dog. Dog adoption allows you to find a dog that has an instilled positive behavior and choose a pet that is compatible with your behavior.
When you adopt a dog, you need to make sure that you have the time, the dedication and the money to support them. Owning a dog is not an easy responsibility, but is always a rewarding experience.
