When we think about bringing a pet into the home, we tend to consider which type and breed of animal would be the best fit. For instance, your grandparent might not have the best time with a large boisterous dog they would have trouble controlling, but they could do well enough with an independent cat.
However, while these questions are essential and of course the place we always start when considering the commitment of a pet, it’s also important to ask a less-posed question. Put simply – are you the right person for your pet, also?
That can seem a little silly in scope because most rational people won’t buy a pet unless they think they can take care of it. However, sometimes they might be overestimating their skills, or they might not have considered the environment the pet is being brought into.
In this post, we’ll discuss this topic at length from the lens of a prospective dog owner and hopefully make the process of being the right person for the right dog as smooth as possible. With that in mind, let’s consider how to go about it:
Is Your Lifestyle The Right Fit?
Before bringing a dog into the home, it’s essential to evaluate whether you are the right person for that breed. But how is this done? Well, you can consider your lifestyle and daily routines, including work schedules, social activities, and other responsibilities you have to get to.
According to this Blog all about Dogs, some dog breeds require more attention, exercise, and training than others, and may not be a good fit for individuals who have limited time or energy. For instance, Husky breeds are quite popular, because they look majestic and are powerful home guards. That said, they’re snow dogs, and hard workers.
For that reason, they often need walking and a great amount of room to run in. They’re not suitable for a one-bed apartment in the middle of an inner city with someone who works at the office for ten hours including commutes. In this case, a smaller toy dog might be more suitable, and perhaps more than one so they can keep each other company when you’re out.
It’s important to be very honest with yourself here. Is your lifestyle the right fit? Only you can know.
Do You Have Experience In Training Dogs?
It’s okay if the answer is ‘no experience at all!’ – this just means you’ll have to work a little harder at becoming the type of owner who is able to keep essential authority. Different breeds have different levels of obedience and may require more or less training to become well-behaved pets.
This is often why it’s not recommended to bring a rescue dog into the home as your first pet, as they need much more care and may have a difficult background you have to work through.
If you’re a first-time dog owner or don’t have much experience with training, it’s best to choose a breed that is easy to train and has a good temperament, or you can also go to this source for more tips. Also make sure you have the time and funds to undergo training sessions with a professional dog trainer. You can check tihis out to know more about it. This can also help your dog socialize with others, so that they won’t feel so interested in running after other dogs in the park and similar scenarios.
This web page is a great place to start, especially if you hope to go for a common breed like a Labrador.
Unfortunately, This Is Also A Financial Question Too
Understanding your finances is also important when deciding if you’re the right person for a particular dog or not. This isn’t to say you don’t deserve to have a dog if you have limited finances, only that now might not be the best time to bring one into the household.
Remember that different breeds have different health issues and may require more medical care than others, which can be costly. Additionally, providing adequate food, shelter, and toys for your dog can also be expensive – sometimes more than you may realize. Your dog might need unexpected surgery, or they may require quite a diverse diet of good-quality proteins.
Before bringing your chosen dog into the home, make sure to factor in the cost of routine vet visits, food, toys, and other supplies to ensure that you can provide the necessary care for your new pet. Many people can underestimate the financial bandwidth it takes to look after a dog, even for infrequent expenses like dog walking services, placing them in serviced kennels when you head on vacation, or grooming them appropriately.
If you’re unsure whether you can afford a particular breed, consider fostering a dog first to get a better sense of the financial responsibilities. It’s okay to put this off until later.
Always Consider Your Family
Always consider your family members and their needs too. If you have young children, it’s important to choose a breed that is good with kids and has a gentle temperament. Even dogs that are relatively nice can be inappropriate if they’re too large and could cause harm without meaning it. For instance, greyhounds are known to be nice family dogs, but they’re large, and they tend to get quite excitable.
They could easily knock a small child over without meaning to. Instead, you might consider an affable breed like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as they have a smaller ‘form factor’ to put it in objective terms.
Additionally, if you have other pets in the home, make sure to choose a breed that can coexist peacefully with them. Some breeds may be more territorial and may not get along well with other animals, while others may be more social and friendly.
That doesn’t mean you can’t bring different breeds together at all of course, for instance, a labrador can get on quite well with a spaniel. What matters is being wise about your decision and the general social atmosphere of your household.
What Are The Main Reasons You Want A Dog?
It’s okay to have all of the possible reasons for a dog, but it’s also good to narrow that down a little. Do you wish for a little dog you can all love, allowing your children to grow up with them in kind and create wonderful memories? Do you live in the rural countryside, and wish to have a dog that could actually protect the home if necessary, like a German Shepard?
Perhaps you’re quite active and would love a dog to run with, or to go for walks in the park alongside, or even to train for dog athletics competitions. Maybe you’re really into grooming dogs and wouldn’t mind entering them into a local pageant, pampering them in the name of good fun.
It’s good to ask this question because here you can determine what kind of owner you should be to facilitate that. So for instance, in the home security example, working very hard on training the dog and making sure they see you as the authority is important, so they don’t attack guests or become too territorial over their space.
Bonus Tips –
A good way to be the right owner is to avoid rushing the buying process. Look for a good breeder that is fully certified and has all the right documents to hand. Don’t be afraid to try something new, but make sure it’s right. Prepare the home properly before bringing them back. If you do all this, you’ll certainly have achieved the right result.
With this advice, you’re sure to become the right person for your dog in the best possible way.
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