Adopting a Dog: 3 Crucial Questions Before You Commit
Deciding to bring a dog into your life is no small decision.
Before you welcome a furry friend into your home, there are a few important factors to consider. Make sure youโre honest with yourself so you're fully prepared for the commitment of taking care of a dog.
In this blog, we'll explore 3 crucial questions our Certified Dog Trainers recommend you ask yourself to determine if a dog is the right addition to your life.
3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Adopting a Dog
1. Do You Have the Time for a Dog?
Dogs are not just pets; they're family members that demand time and attention.
The age and breed of the dog can significantly influence the amount of time you need to dedicate.
How a Dogโs Age Affects the Time Required
Puppies, for instance, require extensive training and socializationโfrom potty training to teaching them not to chew on your belongings.
If you donโt have time to teach a puppy, thatโs fine. Good on you for knowing that about yourself!
In your case, you can still get an older dog with more experience living in the human world. The older your dog gets, the less you need to occupy their time.
That said, every dog needs some kind of mental and physical exercise daily. You should constantly provide them with positive reinforcement training to keep them from going crazy from boredom. Itโs how you keep your dog happy and healthy.
If you donโt have time to regularly provide your dog with play, mental enrichment, and training, itโs probably best not to get a dog at this time.
How a Dogโs Breed Affects the Time Required
Itโs also crucial to consider a dog's breed characteristics to ensure they align with your lifestyle.
For example, a Dachshund, initially bred for hunting, will likely exhibit behaviors like digging and persistent barking. If such traits don't fit well with your living environment or lifestyle, it may lead to frustration for you and the dog.
So study up and donโt just choose a dog because they look โcute.โ
2. Do You Have the Space for a Dog?
The amount of space you have available can significantly impact your ability to accommodate a dog comfortably.
While you can have a dog in a small apartment, it doesnโt always mean you should. Large breeds or active dogs might not thrive in small apartments without ample space to move or easy access to outdoor areas where they can be off leash and not around strange people or animals.
For instance, our Head Trainer, Emma, adopted a German Shepherd named Modoc while living in an apartment. It was a huge mistake.
Even though she had a large park nearby and could take Modoc to work with her, Modoc became reactive to people and dogs, territorial of the small space, and generally unsettled.
Just as you might think, Emma thought sheโd just socialize her. Where others have failed and warned against, itโll be different for her because she was an experienced dog trainer. It wasnโt.
Understand the type of dog you are getting and what space requirements theyโll need to be happy.
3. Can You Afford the Financial Responsibility of a Dog?
Unfortunately, the most realistic question to ask yourself is if you can truly afford a dog.
Having a dog comes with ongoing expenses that can add up quickly.
At the lowest end, you will likely spend $100/month on your dog. Emma is currently spending close to $300/month on Modoc (her German Shepherd).
The basics include:
High-quality dog food
Veterinary care
Toys and other mental enrichment items
A dog bed, a crate & a portable dog mat
If your lifestyle involves frequent travel or long workdays, youโll likely also need to budget for dog walking services or boarding expenses. In Portland, OR, hiring a dog sitter or booking an overnight stay at a boarding facility is roughly $50-$100/night. Similarly, getting a dog walker to come by when working in an office all day long costs around $35/visit.
All that said, there are also some other luxuries that you might want to give your dog, like frequent grooming services, gourmet treats, and maybe an adorable Halloween costume.
Ensuring you are financially prepared for these costs is critical for your dog's well-being and your peace of mind!
Ready to Adopt a Dog?
If, after careful consideration, you feel prepared for the responsibilities of caring for a dog, the next step is to ensure you choose the right dog that fits into your life seamlessly.
We recommend you read through the American Kennel Club website to learn about the different dog breeds and familiarize yourself with their unique qualities.
Visit our Urban Pawsibilities blog to read about some of the more common dog breeds and other resources that can help you make informed and thoughtful decisions about bringing a dog into your life.
Weโre so excited for you to embark on this new adventure, and we hope to see you at our dog training facility sometime soon!
