A dog is a man’s best friend. They can motivate you to exercise daily. During those days that you might want to skip a workout, seeing your dog standing at the door ready to walk can encourage you to get out there. Also, dogs can improve your mental health. Playing with your dog and watching it all the time can help to alleviate stress and anxiety. However, you cannot wake up one day and decide to bring a dog home. Having a dog a pet is exciting and stressful. The chaos, hard work, and dog training make it challenging to know when it’s the right time to bring the pet home.
Ask Yourself These Five Questions Before Becoming a Dog Owner
1. What Is the Age of Your Children?
It is difficult for small children to follow instructions. Remember, your dog needs attention and training. That’s why it is good to bring the pet when the children are above five years. At this age, they can listen, engage in games, and perform daily activities that come along with owning a dog. Also, they can engage safely with the dog.
Whether you have tight schedules or not, the dog will require someone to help. Big children can predict the behaviors of the puppy even if you’re not around. At this age, they become animals love and can accept the dog as part of the family. If the children abandon the pet, you will be required to rehome it or shelter it all the time.
2. What Is Your Budget?
Some dogs are costly. That’s why you need to have enough money to buy and cater for the dog. It can be frustrating when you get into a position where you cannot afford the cost of pet care. Remember, the dog requires medication and food to keep it healthy.
Whether you want Frenchie puppies or any other brand, it is vital to know the initial cost and other expenses such as training and everyday meals.
3. Does Anyone In Your Family Have Allergies?
A person with a dog’s allergy can find it challenging to live near it. Such people get skin reactions when a dog licks them. Some people believe that certain dog breeds can trigger allergy symptoms. But the fact is that the dog is not the cause of allergy. Instead, some people are allergic to the dog’s hair, saliva, and urine.
If one of your family members have allergies, a dog might not be a good fit for your home. Mostly, the dogs are not suitable for places with infants. Hence, it is good to wait for your children to grow big. Also, if you have a family member dog’s allergy, you can recommend for treatment.
4. Are Your Family Members Ready for the Dog?
Dog training helps in mental stimulation, which keeps the dog happy and becomes more sociable. Thus, before owning a pet, you need to be sure that you’ll have adequate time to train the pet. Also, ensure that all other family members are willing to help.
It is good to understand that there are no bad dogs. Instead, the owners make the dog remain reluctant and abandoned in the family. Therefore, it’s necessary to encourage everyone in the family to interact with the dog and ensure that it is cared for.
5. Do You Have a Suitable Dwelling Place for the Dog?
A dog’s house is essential for ensuring safety. Many people make the mistake of owning a dog without having an idea of where it will sleep. They end up placing it in the backyard without indoor access. If you have a small house and compound, owning a dog might not be a good solution. You need to have space in your home where you can build enough room for the dog to access water, food, and play comfortably. The room should be elevated above the ground to prevent the floor from getting cold during the winter season.
Dogs are cute and offer many benefits such that people cannot resist bringing them to their homes. However, dog ownership is not for anyone. There are many responsibilities involved in their care. You need to create time to play with the dog to ensure that it remains happy and healthy.