Dogs as Companions
Many people find happiness through pets. Pets can give them a company that will serve their need to cherish, love, and fight boredom. For some, pets help them cope with the struggles they’re experiencing or even relieve stress and loneliness from work, breakups, or the loss of loved ones.
Pets such as dogs increase a person’s opportunity for exercise and do various outdoor activities because most dog owners usually go for a walk with their pets daily. However, finding the perfect dog can be exhausting. With over 360 officially recognized dog breeds worldwide, the choices may seem endless and confusing. But if you are sure of what you want specifically in a dog and know the differences between dog breeds, then picking out a dog for your family will be a lot easier. By determining your home and lifestyle, as well as the dog’s breed and background, you’ll have a fun and exciting experience with your dog companion at home.
What are the things that you must consider when choosing the perfect dog for your family?
- Determine your needs
It is essential to determine what you need and take an honest assessment of your lifestyle to make sure if you can adequately care for a dog. Adopting a dog would also mean that you have to spend extra time, effort, and even money to take care of it because dogs require love and attention. For instance, if you know that you cannot spend much time with your dog, you can adopt a more independent kind of dog.
- Choose a dog breed that will suit your lifestyle
There are different kind of breeds to match another type of lifestyle. If you haven’t figured out yet what kind of breed would match yours, it’s better to conduct your research and find the breed that will fit your lifestyle and requirements. It is better to consult with a veterinarian about dog breeds. Perhaps if you are the type of person who likes outdoor activities like hiking, you should consider getting a Labrador instead of a Bulldog or a Chihuahua.
- Consult with a veterinarian and make sure to ask all questions you have in mind
Once you have already decided to adopt a dog, you should know that it will also become a part of your family. Therefore, you would want to take care of them in the same way that you take care of your family. Hence, consulting a veterinarian will help you get helpful advice on dog behaviours and temperaments depending on its breed. A veterinarian can also give all the potential medical problems that you might encounter with your dog. You would not want to miss the opportunity when consulting with a veterinarian, so make sure that you have all the questions you have in mind and ask them.
- Assess your living environment
The kind of living environment that you have, including your house size and space, will determine what kind of dog you should get. Whether you live in a tiny apartment or large mansion, in a rural or urban setting, they will all matter in your choosing because you obviously need ample space for a large dog. So, if you are planning to get a big one but your space is limited, you should try getting other kinds of dog instead.
- Decide whether you want a young or adult dog.
Getting a puppy or an adult dog definitely has a difference. Adopting a puppy will allow you to train it to become the dog that you truly desire. However, it requires a lot of efforts because you have to take care of it since it is young. Meanwhile, if you want to adopt an adult one, you will have an already developed dog that is less likely to encounter the problems and accidents that a puppy usually does. But it might be hard for you to train it since it’s already developed.
- Prepare your dog selection checklist
This will help you narrow down all the choices you have in mind while looking through the images of various dogs online. Make sure that you will write in this list everything that you need and want to avoid having regrets when the dog is finally at your home. Considering to adopt a dog that best suits your personality is also essential.
- Bear in mind any additional needs
When deciding on a type of dog, various needs must be taken into consideration. Please don’t assume that a dog can do everything that you want it to do and give everything you want from it. If you are looking for a companion, try searching for a toy group or breed that is best to serve as companions. Meanwhile, if you want a dog like a hunter’s best sidekick, choose from sporting dogs that include spaniels, retrievers, pointers, and setters. If you need dogs that are best in doing specific jobs related to guarding and performing rescues, choose a dog from a working group.
- Visit an animal shelter or rescue to meet with dogs that you select
Spending time visiting some places or dog shops to be fully aware of the dog you are getting is important. This will help you make sure that you will pick out the dog you will fall in love with. There are a lot of animal organizations that house homeless dogs and are seeking for their future home. These shelters usually offer lower adoption fees than pet stores. You can use the internet, especially social media platforms, to look for potential shelters.
Bottomline
After all the considerations for choosing the perfect dog for your family, spending adequate time and providing all the love, care, and attention that the dog needs must be the topmost priority. It would also be good to join the family in making your decisions because the dog that you will be choosing must not only be right for you; your family should also be right for the dog.
To help you choose the perfect dog for your family and get professional advice on how to take care of them properly, book a 1-on-1 training session with Jay by clicking here. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the latest blog posts and news articles. Share your thoughts and engage in a conversation with other members by joining our community!
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