Friday, June 6, 2014

Things to Consider before Getting a Dog


So you love dogs. You find them cute. You envy your other friends who have adorable dogs in their houses. You wanted one but were denied the opportunity to have one when growing up. You may be thinking that it’s the right time to get a pet, but before doing so, you might want to consider these things first:

  1. Breed – The most important thing to consider before getting a dog is the breed. You may want something small and cute like a Chihuahua or something that can be groomed in different ways like a Shih Tzu. Either way, looking at pictures of puppies of different breeds will help you with this decision.
  2. Size of your house – Some dogs are better suited for the indoors, while others will want a big backyard to run on. Bigger breeds of dogs may require a bigger space in the house in terms of their personal area, while smaller dogs can fit easier in smaller houses. You can get advice from your friends on what size of dog you should get considering your living arrangements. 
  3.  Presence of other pets – Dogs can be friendly, but there are some pets that might not go well with them. For example, if there are cats in the house, adding a dog might lead to a fight for territory and attention of the owners. Moreover, dogs and cats generally don’t get along, so prepare for some fights. Other dogs may not respond well to the addition of a new one in the place they consider their territory, and there might be some competition among them, but they could get along well in time.
  4. Your lifestyle – Will you be able to fit a pet in your current lifestyle? If you have enough time to go home and care for a pet, then go ahead and don’t hesitate to get one. However, if you find yourself always having to go out and with barely any sleep, you might just neglect your pet if you get one. This is important when you’re living alone and there will be no one else to care for the dog. 

      Meanwhile, if you’re living with your family and someone is able to appropriate some time to the pet you want to get, then there should be no problems getting one.
You need to remember that a dog is a living thing that will ask for some affection, so before getting one, make sure that you are prepared for that kind of responsibility. Dogs are loving and can help you relax after a hard day at work, so you will definitely like them around. More help is available at dogs-and-puppies.com if you want to make sure that you will be a good dog owner.