Dogs are amazing, ‘Man’s Best Friend’ so they say, and yes this can be very true. Before you embark on the journey of dog ownership, there are many things you need to consider, I’ll write a little about the ones that come to mind.
- Have you got the time required to give them the attention and exercise/training they need? Some dogs need more than others, but they all need and deserve time with you that’s just for them, not shared with anyone else, nor rushed because you’re busy. We all get extra busy sometimes, and if this happens occasionally, that’s fine and only natural. If you are working away from home during the day/night, who’s going to let the dog out, or give it a run somewhere?
- How much space do you have, do you have space for it to have a bed or two around the house, do you have a garden? My dog loves spending time outside, and luckily there is a garden, but I wouldn’t have the breed of dog that I do if there wasn’t a garden, as I feel they need that extra escape if they find things boring indoors, the weather is nice, things indoors are hectic or noisy, or they (like we do) just need a change of scene.
- Money is another thing that you need to consider. Can you afford regular vet visits for vaccines and other boosters. Insurance is another thing that you need to think about. As well as their food. Also, if you are going to any training classes, or plan to take up agility, you will need to pay for them too. Could you afford to have it groomed regularly? Can you budget for unexpected vet bills?
- Do you have enough patience? Are you a calm person.? What training method are you going to use? Which areas of the house you going to allow it? Would you mind all the mud in the winter? Are you in all-weather person? The dog may well want to go out in most weathers.
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