I Want A Dog. What Do I Do?

There is no doubt that dogs are our best friends. These trusting and loyal companions come in all shapes and sizes along with all types of breeds and temperament. By that definition, you would think they do not have anything in common but they do. They all want to be loved and give love. All dogs have this in common.

What does this mean for you if you are looking to get a dog? It means you have to be committed to them. You need to have the time to spend with them as well as the finances to take care of them. Getting a dog is like having a child. They need your full attention and commitment.

So, if you are thinking about getting a new friend, you need to ask yourself a few questions. For instance, the first question to ask yourself is "Which phrase best describes what I am looking for in a dog?"

• A cuddle friend who doesn't need tons of exercise
• Sporty, high-energy dog
• Family-friendly dog
• A loyal companion
• An agility wiz

The answer should go into your decision of breed as different breeds have distinct characteristics. As far as the size of the dog are you considering, do you prefer?

• Small dogs
• Small or medium
• Medium dogs
• Medium or large
• Large dogs
• Does not matter

Depending on if you have children, your answer might be different. Also, remember that you will need to walk your friend. You need to be able to handle his strength and enthusiasm. How much energy do YOU have? Can you keep up?

How much time can you spend with your new friend? Certain breeds demand a certain amount of attention and energy from you. Will you be:

• Tossing a Frisbee or ball at the beach
• Meeting up with others in a dog park
• Hanging with friends at a cafe
• Taking a walk together
• Snuggled up on the couch

There are many more questions that need to be asked but the point is that any new dog that is brought into your family needs to be a good fit and you need to be a good fit for him or her.

Does your lifestyle allow you to feed and walk them on time? Are you prepared to train them or if you cannot, are you financially able to send them to a trainer? Will you be able to discipline when needed? There are a lot of things that need to be considered from a day to day perspective.

Now, let’s talk about where your new buddy will be coming from because where you get your new pet is important. Do you want a purebred or a mutt? Do you want to get a dog from a breeder or a rescue shelter? There are pros and cons to getting a rescue dog...

Pros

• You are saving a life.
• You'll be saving money.
• You'll be giving a pup a second chance.
• Rescue animals just seem kind of grateful.
• Adopting an older dog means he or she is probably already housebroken
• A dog is an excuse to not be lazy.

Cons:

• You probably have no clue of your dog’s history.
• You may not know his breed.

Looking to adopt a new friend?

Do you want a puppy or an older dog? It is difficult to get a dog especially a puppy when you work all the time. You need to have plenty of free time to train and care for your dog. It’s a LOT of work. The first few months are crucial

The breed is important too. If you have some breeds already in mind, you can check out the American Kennel Club's official breeds list, complete with pictures and personality traits for dozens of dog breeds.

Your new furry friend will need to mesh well with your own unique personality. You’ll want to consider other members of your house. Do you have enough space and free time? What kind of relationship you want with your dog. After you can determine these things, then you’ll be able to assess the breeds you’re most interested in.

Good Luck!