DAMBF
Dogs Are Man's Best Friend
Things to Consider when getting a buddy of your own
Becoming a dog owner involves more consideration than you might think.
You, of course, want to be a responsible dog owner, which means everything from continuously picking up poop to training to vet bills.
There are a lot of responsibilities that you have to carry out when you bought/adopt a dog and if you did not consider about the responsibilities that you need to act, then you will not be a good owner.
Below are some things you might think about before making the trip to the animal shelter or to a breeder.
ADOPTION VS BUYING
RESOURCES
Americans spend about 41 million dollars a year on their pets.
And the older a dog gets, the more extra costs (like vet bills) are likely to pile up.
TIME & ENERGY
Even low-maintenance dog breeds like the Greyhound needs time and energy from their owners. They need to be taken on a walk, fed, groomed, trained, and of course, they need to be petted.
Dogs give us two great gifts: devotion and unconditional love, which they want and need in return from their owners.
ALLERGIES
Around 10 million people are allergic to cats but many don't realize you can be allergic to dogs, too. The truth is any dog can cause an allergy.
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When choosing a dog, you have to see which breed suits you best: a breed with short hair? Or long hair?
Some Costs of Owning a Dog
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Veterinary Bills: Annuals, shots, unforeseen illness
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FOOD: the right kind of food and foods that need to be avoided
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Toys & Treats
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Small Necessities: Nail clippers, brushes, supplements
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Family
Obviously, you need support from family members before bringing home a puppy. It's easy to list the benefits of dog ownership, from lowered heart rates to less depression to having a protector to being able to go to the dog park and not be the strange dog-less person who hangs around. There are also downsides - some dogs need a lot of training (Commands when training and techniques to make it efficient), some dogs bark a lot, some relish rolling in stinky things, and some chew up the couch. People need to be prepared to share their lives with this furry creature through the good and the bad.
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Other Pets
Dogs and cats often get along. Sometimes they don't. Any pet - ferret, hamster, bird, another dog - is affected by a new dog. Be prepared to be patient as they all get to know each other. And avoid dog breeds that are prey-driven as they don't always know the difference between a rabbit and a cat.
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Lifestyle
It's not as flexible to have a dog as it is some other pets.
Someone has to be home to feed a dog dinner, let him out, and check up on him.
If you keep late nights and early mornings, a dog will most likely feel neglected and have accidents or destroy your rug.