Hi... so, you're thinking about adding a new
family member, of the four legged variety to your home... but you're
not sure what you should look for in choosing the right dog... or,
if you should get a dog at all?
Well, grab a hot cup of joe or your favorite
drink, and let’s dig in with lesson one, of this easy-to-follow five-part course, so you can learn some of the
simple but extremely important things that you should
consider BEFORE shopping for a dog.
Of all the different animals that can become
house pets – cats, birds, dogs, spiders, lizards and more – only one
has that entrusted title as, “man’s best friend.” And to many, dogs
bear even more status than that. They are part of the family.
But before you jump into
dog ownership, you
need to research the different types of dogs out there to see which
one would be best for you, for your family and environment.
Although many television shows and movies
portray these beloved creatures as awesome, faithful friends, some
breeds can be entirely unsuitable for your lifestyle and your
family. Many can cause shedding problems, allergy issues, aggression
difficulties and more. So before you leap, let’s take a closer look
at dogs.
Ask Yourself These Important
Questions
Decide right now to be completely honest with
yourself. Then sit down and ask yourself the following questions and
jot down your answers:
-
Do you really have the time, patience and
room for a dog?
-
Where will your dog sleep? Or stay while
you’re working?
-
Do you want to and do you have time
to feed and give fresh water to a dog daily? Take it to the
vet for regular check ups and shots?
-
How about walks and other attention - - do
you have time to share? Do you want to make time?
-
How about your family members? Does everyone
give two
thumbs up for this venture?
-
Is there room in your budget for a dog?
Think in terms of food, treats, leash, fence, dog bowls, collar,
shots, spaying / neutering, nail trimmers, training materials,
toys, bedding, flea / tick products, shampoo.
Long Term Plans...
As you can tell, there are many things to
consider before bringing home a pet dog. As you consider these
issues even further, remember to think long term, too. Dogs can live
10 – 20 years, maybe more.
Now let's look at some basic dog questions to
be considered...
