Having a pet is like committing to a partner; you are set to love your dog for a lifetime. In sickness or in health, in good times and bad times, you are there for your dog. You train and raise your pet with love and care. So, when you decide to have a dog, make sure it is not just because you want to take care of someone fluffy and cute—you have to be in it for the long haul.
What exactly does “commit to your dog” mean?
Commitment starts from the very beginning—even before you welcome your new dog into your home. Commitment ensures preparedness to be a dog parent. You don’t just decide on a whim; you carefully study the consequences this will have in your life and whether you are qualified to give the best life to your new furry friend.
You have to educate yourself on the costs of owning a pet and what kind of dog suits your lifestyle. These are some of the things you can ask yourself before committing to a dog:
- How much are you willing and able to adjust?
- Can you afford regular veterinary checkups?
- Can you allot space in your home for your dog or outside your yard?
- Can you allocate a budget for its food, supplies, and training?
- Are you willing to hire dog sitters when necessary or bring your pet to a doggy daycare centre when no one can look after it?
- Have you confirmed that you’re allowed to keep a pet in your residence, especially if you are rent or report to a homeowners’ association?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, then it’s time to move to the next step: searching for the furry friend you are looking for.
Making an informed decision
Before adopting a dog, make sure you research its background, needs, and ideal environment. Ask the shelter about the dog you are about to adopt so you can make an informed decision on whether you are capable of taking care of it. The staff at the shelter are the most equipped for when it comes to matching dogs to their new owners since they can usually provide a basic medical history to help you determine whether or not the dog can fit your lifestyle. Choosing the right dog for you is a crucial part of the process. Having a dog is not like buying a new pair of sneakers or new furniture; you cannot just return it if it is not a good fit.
Preparing your home for your new dog
Already decided on which dog you will adopt? It’s now time to apply the necessary changes to welcome your new pet. Keep in mind that your dog’s well-being needs to be considered in all decisions you have to make moving forward—be it travel, relocation, adopting other pets, having kids, social life, addressing dangers around dogs, and more. If applicable, make necessary adjustments to your fence and yard to secure your pet’s safety and prevent it from escaping. If you plan to keep your dog inside your house, it’s recommended that you buy a dog bed or dog toys as well. It is also necessary to establish relationships with a veterinarian and a professional dog trainer like Jay Lowe. (You can book a session here) This way, you are all set in raising your pet.
In case you are adopting a dog for your children, know that the responsibility is yours and not theirs. Don’t expect your kids to discipline your furry friend. Children often get tired of stuff that used to new and thrilling, and this may include your new pet. Expect that you will most probably be the one who takes care of your dog’s needs. Don’t forget to include your pet in your family activities. With this, you should have every family member on board before finally welcoming your dog. If you have a cat or another dog, plan how you will make your two pets interact.
Another important thing you must prepare for is getting educated on the dog safety laws in your country and specific ordinances within your local council. Most likely, you have to microchip your dog and register it at a database. If you are planning to go places with your pet, there are travel rules to take into account, too.
Raising a dog like your own child
Preparedness does not only cover the near future; you have to commit to loving your dog for its entire lifetime, which can take from eight to 15 years, depending on the breed. Where do you see yourself in the next 10 to 15 years? If you can see your dog in whatever future you are planning, then that is a good sign that you are ready to become a dog parent. That means bringing your dog with you even when you relocate, getting a pet passport when necessary and doing all the paperwork to make sure your dog stays with you.
You should not give away a pet as a gift because you don’t know if the receiver is ready to make the commitment you just made years ago when you adopted your dog. However, an exemption can be made if a trusted friend or relative actually asks you for your pet or your dog’s puppy. Make sure they are ready to commit for a lifetime as well and that it’s not just an impulsive decision. Pets should never be given as a surprise.
When the going gets tough
Your furry friend will likely knock things around, bite your clothes, pee and poop in improper places while it has not yet been trained. Sometimes, even when it has already been trained, it can still fall short. Like us humans, pets are works in progress. What will you do when you get annoyed in these instances? Will you give up on your dog? Will the thought of returning it to the shelter cross your mind? If your answer to any of this is yes, then you might not yet be ready to take this lifetime commitment. Approximately 10% of dogs get returned to their animal shelter six months after adopting them. Make sure you don’t add your dog to this statistic. The major reason one in 10 dogs get returned is their owners failed to prepare and educate themselves with all the responsibilities that come with raising a pet. You already know what to do to avoid this scenario.
Bottomline
These all boil down to one thing: keep your commitment to your dog. Make sure you have the intention of loving your pet for the rest of its lifetime. Don’t adopt if you are unprepared. Remember, when you return dogs to shelters, some of them will be euthanised due to overpopulation. This is also the fate of unwanted pets that no longer have a space in such facilities. You have the power to avoid this from happening to your dog.
You actually have the power to make a difference in a dog’s life, who would otherwise not receive as much love and focused attention in a shelter. Never take this for granted. Don’t worry; with dogs, it is never a one-sided relationship. For sure, your furry friend is prepared to love you with its complete loyalty—and for an entire lifetime, too.
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