What do you think can be improved?

You’ve decided! You’re going to get a dog!! Yay!!!

When you finally make the decision to bring in a puppy as a new addition to your family (I say finally because it should NEVER be a spontaneous decision but a very carefully thought out one), it’s all very exciting.

I don’t want to be a wet blanket; the truth of the matter is that having a relationship with a dog is a wonderful thing, however many times thing turn sour because there would not have been enough thought behind the decision. And unfortunately, the dog is the one who would usually bear the brunt of the misguided decision.

So I thought I’d lay out a few points you should consider before making your decision final.

Is everyone in the household ok with this decision, and 100% on board?

Can you afford the time to walk the dog? Letting the dog out into the yard or the garden does not constitute the exercise or mental stimulation the dog needs. You also need to spend some time playing with the dog.

Can you afford the time to train the dog? Dogs need to be trained and socialised both with people as well as with other dogs. Regularly.

Can you afford the time to groom the dog regularly; dogs need to be brushed regularly, washed, and have their nails clipped.
You also need to feed the dog twice a day and ensure that he or she has clean water available at all times.

Are you ready to clean up after the dog both at home and outdoors? Besides dog poop you need to consider fur around the house for example.

Can you afford the dog from a financial point of view? Pet food, vets’ bills, vaccinations, medicines, groomers etc. may be quite a financial strain.

Are you getting a dog because you are going through a bad time and you feel you need some comfort which a dog can provide? Then it’s a very, very bad decision. Never adopt a dog based on an emotional reason.

Are you anticipating any major life events? Someone moving in, moving house, a baby? How will having a dog fit in with these changes?

Do you have an adequate physical environment for the dog? Can the dog easily run out into the street, or jump over the fence or wall?

Where will the dog sleep, where will he or she stay during the day?

Will the dog be spending many hours on his or her own during the day? Then please revisit the decision. It will undoubtedly lead to problem behaviours.

Do you travel frequently? What arrangements do you have in mind for when you are away?

Have you taken into account that dogs do sometimes come up with some problematic behaviours. These can be as simple as chewing slippers and as serious as aggression. Are you ready to deal with these?

Do you have fastidious neighbours who may create problems, complaining about barking even if this is not really excessive, and so on?

Dogs are cute as puppies, but they only remain puppies physically till the age of around eleven months. On the other hand, most dogs will live around 13-15years on average. This is a quite a commitment. Do not take it lightly.

Sadly, too many dogs are let loose in the streets, euthanised, or put away in sanctuaries by persons who took in a dog without thinking hard enough about things before making the decision.

If on the other hand, you have taken the above points into consideration and decide to go ahead, then I really hope that you will have a beautiful experience out of the wonderful relationship that can arise between a dog and his or her owner.