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Is Your Family Ready For A Dog? 5 Signs You Are Ready for Pet Parenthood

Consider these points when debating whether to get a dog or not.

By Paisley HansenPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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Pets can really add a lot to a family. They offer unconditional love and affection, not to mention companionship. Not every family is ready for a dog, however. Before you head out to the shelter, use this guide to decide if you are really ready to become a pet parent.

1. You've Already Researched Breeds and Traits

Some breeds of dogs require specialized care or attention, like monthly trips to the groomer or extra activities to help them burn off excess energy. When you are serious about adding a pet to your family, you'll take the time to research which one will be a good fit. You'll want to consider whether a puppy or adult — or even senior — dog is a better fit for your lifestyle. Older dogs definitely have less energy, but they may also be prone to weight gain, stiffness or dry skin. Of course, you can solve these issues with high-quality food and supplements like Ultimate Pet Nutrition products. It's just good to know ahead of time what you are facing.

2. Family Schedules Allow Time for Pet Care

A family that welcomes a pet will need to commit to spending time with him each day. Dogs are, after all, very social pack animals. At the very least, a dog will need to be fed twice a day and walked at least that many times. Then you have time for playing and any training you plan to undertake. That could easily add up to an hour or two every day. So, if everyone in the house is usually gone from morning to night, it might not be a good idea to become pet parents right now. On the other hand, if you work from home or tend to be in and out throughout the day, you could provide a new dog with the attention he deserves.

3. You Are Committed to Training a Pet

One of the greatest things about having a dog in the house — besides having someone super excited to see you when you walk in the room, even if you've only been gone a few minutes — is that they can be trained to do any number of things you ask. It takes time to get to a well-trained dog, however, and you need to be willing to up that time and effort into the process. Positive reinforcement training has grown in popularity as other methods, such as using shock or choke collars, have fallen out of favor. It can take a little longer to achieve consistent results, but your dog will become a willing partner in the action instead of doing it out of fear.

4. You Are Financially Stable

Dogs can get expensive. You'll start off with the adoption fee or purchase price, which can easily run up into the thousands of dollars for certain breeds of dogs. And then you'll need to consider any training and trips to the groomer. Add in food, toys and treats, and the costs can easily add up to a couple of hundred dollars a month. That doesn't even begin to include veterinary care, either. If you are struggling to make ends meet or you are not able to put money away for a rainy day, it might not be the best time to add a pet to the household.

5. You Understand Your Reasons for Wanting a Dog

People decide to get pets for lots of reasons; not all of them are good ones. Be honest with yourself and your family about why you want to get a dog. If you think adding a pet will help a strained relationship, know upfront that it probably won't. If you want to try it out to see if you are ready for the responsibility of children, realize that dogs and kids both require lots of time and effort, but they are also very different.

Under the right circumstances, a dog can become a loving part of your family. They will provide companionship and affection and, in return, they deserve your commitment to life-long care.

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About the Creator

Paisley Hansen

Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in health, fitness, beauty, and fashion. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym.

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