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Are You Ready
Five Ways To Tell That You're Not Ready To Own a Dog
If any of the following 5 statements ring true, you should re-examine your
reasons for wanting a dog and your ability to properly care for one.
1. You're Always Really Busy with Work and Don't Have Much Downtime
In order for your new dog or puppy to bond with you and properly acclimate to
its new surroundings, you'll need to set a lot of time aside just for him. You
can't just pick out a puppy, bring it home, play with it for a while and then
forget it. You need to spend quality time with your new family member. This
means lots of playtime (especially for puppies), two or more walks outside every
day and obedience training. If you don't spend time with your pet, you're just
asking for trouble. Often, neglected pets will act out by engaging in
destructive behavior. Furthermore, if your pet is alone too much, he will not be
properly socialized. This may result in his being unduly fearful of strangers
and other animals which, in turn, may cause him to become aggressively defensive
towards them. If you are too busy to spend quality time with a pet, then wait
until your life is a little less hectic before you adopt one.
2. You Live on a Very Strict Budget and Can Barely Afford to Pay All of Your
Bills Every Month
Dogs are never really free, even if you are given one as a gift. First, you have
to pay for a good quality dog food. If your dog is a very small breed, this may
not be of much concern. If your dog is a large breed, however, food can cost
over $100 a month. Second, you'll need to provide your dog with routine medical
care like spaying or neutering, annual vaccinations and exams and dental care.
You also have to be prepared to pay for any emergency medical services. Third,
depending on the breed of dog, you may need to have it professionally groomed
and this can cost a lot of money. Even if you groom the dog yourself, you'll
still have to pay for the grooming supplies. Fourth, you'll need to be able to
afford miscellaneous items like dog dishes, toys and other goodies. If you can't
afford to take care of your dog in an appropriate way, then you should put your
puppy adoption plans on hold until you are in a better financial position.
3. You Only Want a Dog for Protection Purposes
A dog, even one that has been specially trained to guard your home, is more than
just a security device. It is a living creature who deserves to be loved by the
people who adopt him. He should be treated as a part of the family and should be
treated respectfully. Guard dogs need consistent and caring interaction with
their owners. Otherwise, those same qualities that make them great at guarding
their territory (alertness, aggressiveness and possessiveness) can turn them
into "bad dogs" if left on their own. If you are not prepared to accept a dog as
part of your family for the long haul and socialize it appropriately, then you
should not adopt one. If security is truly a concern, you should have a security
system installed in your home.
4. Your Kids Need Something to Play With
If your kids are bored and need something to entertain them, then buy them more
toys. Don't buy your kids a dog unless they really want one and can see it as a
living creature instead of as a toy; and, certainly don't buy your kids a dog
unless you want one too. Let's face it. You may say that the dog belongs to the
kids, but the adults in the household will ultimately be responsible for its
care, feeding and medical expenses. Don't bring a dog into your home unless both
you and your kids understand that adopting a dog makes him a part of your family
for life.
5. You Want a Dog Because You Want to Breed It and Make Lots of Money
First, successful and reputable dog breeders are in the business because they
love the dogs they work with. Often, someone develops a breeding business only
after years of having had many dogs of a particular breed as pets. Good breeders
have years of experience with the breed and know everything there is to know
about its traits, history and physical characteristics. They also love to
educate others about the breed. Second, the bills associated with the feeding
and care of the dog far surpasses any income he will generate, especially for
the first few years. Buy a dog because you love the breed and cherish him as a
part of your family. Maybe a business will come from it later on.
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