Dogs can be incredible companions and bring a lot of joy to your life. But just because you want a dog doesn’t necessarily mean that right now is the best time to adopt one. Pets come with a great deal of responsibility and are a long-term commitment. Before you start checking out the shelters and finding your perfect pup, here are a few questions to keep in mind.
1. Is everyone in your family on board?
Dogs have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. That is a big commitment, especially if you adopt a puppy. Make sure that everyone in your family is in agreement on getting a dog and understands what is involved in taking care of it. If one or two people don’t want to help out, that can put a lot of burden on the other members of the family. If everyone is excited and on board, it can help things run more smoothly and create a positive experience for all.
2. Do you have the right space?
Consider where you live and how a dog would fit into that. Do you have a yard with grass where you can take them out to the bathroom and to play, or do you have to walk or drive to get to a green space? Does your yard have a fence? Are there sidewalks in your neighborhood? Is there an area inside your home that you can dedicate to your dog for their bed, toys, food dishes, etc.?
The amount of space you have available and the type of area where you live can make a difference in the size, breed, and age of dog you choose. Living in an apartment, you might do better with a smaller, calmer dog, whereas if you have a home with a large yard, a bigger dog that is more active might be a good choice.
3. Do you have the financial means?
Having a pet is not cheap. You will want to look at your budget and make sure that you can afford the basics such as food, toys, bedding, and identification. Don’t forget about annual vet visits, vaccinations, and preventive medications for heart worms, fleas, and ticks. If your dog should become sick or injured, do you have emergency funds to cover these costs? What about paying for grooming and boarding? Do your research and find out the costs and how they fit into your financial plans.
4. Are you ready for the responsibility?
There is a lot more to owning a dog than just spending time playing and relaxing together. Consider how your daily schedule will have to change. For instance, getting up earlier so you can walk and feed your pet and making sure someone is available to let it out during the day. There are also things such as brushing and grooming, behavior training, and cleaning up after your dog. If you’re going on vacation, are you bringing your dog along, or is there a boarding facility where they will stay?
5. Where are your local resources?
Become more familiar with your community and where all of the “pet places” are. This includes not just pet stores where you can buy food and supplies, but also veterinarians, emergency pet hospitals, groomers, boarding facilities, dog parks, and pet-friendly venues. You’ll want to know where to take your dog to ensure their needs are met.
Adopting a dog is big decision. Make sure you’re prepared. Lake Wylie Pet Resort offers boarding facilities for dogs and cats, as well as dog grooming services, to help you keep your pet safe, well cared for, and looking its best. Contact us today to book your pet’s next stay.