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Do I Want a Dog ?
Probable dog owners should first ask themselves perhaps the most important question - Do I want a dog or in fact am I ready for a dog?
Some people keep dogs for practical reasons: security, hunting, search-and-rescue. However, most of us have emotional and psychological motives. Dogs are a very big responsibility. If you change your mind after getting a dog, or your family later says it was not a good initiative, it will be the dog who suffers. Your dog will depend on you throughout its life, and with proper care, may live 10 years or more. Are you willing and able to care properly for it and provide it a stable home?
Here are some questions to help you decide if a dog is the right pet for you:
- Do you actually want a dog, or somebody else in your family wants one? Are you lonely and just want to have a pet to hold and show off? How much time can you spend with a dog? Dogs are social creatures. You must commit yourself to spend several hours a day with the animal. You must also be willing to take emotional responsibility for a dog, not only loving it but, training and caring for it.
- What kind of space can you provide for the dog? Is there a garden or a park-like area for your dog to walk and relieve itself? Dogs should not be left outdoors unattended for long. They can be teased, stolen, or worse. Tethering can cause serious physical harm or death in case of an entanglement. Many dogs will not do well in a small apartment unless you shell out a great deal of effort to meet their needs.
- How much money can you spend on the care and feeding of a dog? You need to spend on food, veterinary checkups, vaccinations, medical expenses, etc. over the lifetime of the dog. You will also have to replace things the dog damages inside the house.
- Do you foresee significant events that could occur in your family in the future? A baby, caring for an elderly member, a divorce etc. And, how would you deal with these changes as they will definitely impact your ability to care for the dog?
- Will your dog be alone for long periods and that too, daily? Will you be able to arrange for the dog to be given water, medication, and playtime during your absence?
- Do you think you can control yourself on issues that may arise because the dog is alone for long periods of time such as relieves itself indoors; chews up your shoes, barks constantly. Do not plan to leave your dog outdoors or in a closed enclosure all day while you are away! If this is the case, please think twice on the question "Why do I want a dog?"
- You are responsible for your dog's reproduction do you have the time to get your dog sterilized. If you are a negligent owner, you will only add to the number of accidentally bred dogs that are put to death each year, as they do not get a good home.
Do you really LOVE dogs? If you are genuinely motivated by your love for dogs and are ready for a lifelong commitment, then go ahead and get one.