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Once you’ve decided to introduce a dog to your household, the planning shouldn’t stop there. A dog is a huge investment in every sense of the word, but it’s always more than worth it. As long as you’re prepared for the responsibilities of owning a dog, then there’s no reason to delay.
To help you out, here are some ways that you can ensure that you’re prepared.
The Right Dog
Dogs aren’t all created equal, and they’re certainly not interchangeable. Different breeds have different qualities, which you need to consider before bringing them into your household. Some dogs need special care to be happy and healthy, while others may be less suited for your lifestyle.
Create a shortlist of breeds you like, then do some deeper research. For example, if you’re interested in getting an Australian Cobberdog, then ask “what is an Australian Cobberdog” before bringing one home.
If you have children or other pets, then make sure that your dog will likely get on well with them. If you have limited space and you can’t give your dog lots of exercise and opportunities to run around, then you should get a smaller, less active dog. However, every dog will need regular exercise, so if you can’t provide this, then another pet might be more suitable.
Puppies or Adult Dogs
A lot of people like to get puppies, for obvious reasons. Puppies are cute and you can spend more time with your pet. However, puppies do have some special needs. You will need to be able to dedicate a lot of time to train them and give them much-needed attention, even more so than for other dogs. You will also need to secure and puppy-proof your house, to keep your belongings and your dog safe.
Adult dogs typically come already trained to an extent. They’re usually calmer and can adjust well to your lifestyle. Also, adult dogs are less likely to be adopted, which means that you ensure that they don’t live out their lives in a shelter. Some rescue dogs may have issues, however, so bear this in mind when finding your future pet.
As well as being ready to care for your dog’s emotional needs, you need to be ready for their physical needs. Dogs, like humans, have basic needs to keep them happy and healthy. You should provide them with healthy food, so do some research before sticking to a brand. Some dog foods are full of grains that can cause bloating. Look for a high meat content and some vegetables. Getting them signed up with a vet is also very important, so give thought to this. Cynthia Maro has made waves in the veterinary industry, so do some research if you can and make sure that you understand everything that goes into owning a dog.
Dogs also need shelter, so a dog bed or crate is ideal. Provide toys to keep them entertained in the house so that they aren’t tempted to chew anything they shouldn’t You will also need a harness or collar and a leash so that you can walk them regularly. Finally, to make sure that your dog stays healthy, consider dog insurance so that you can pay for their healthcare needs.