This is everything you should consider before getting a new dog

Getting a new dog is a big commitment and one that comes with a lot of considerations.

by: E.B. Johnson

There is perhaps no moment more exciting than bringing home a new puppy or rescued canine friend. Dogs are truly special animals that can add a lot of benefit to our lives, but it takes a lot of research and introspection to pick the perfect dog that suits our lifestyles. Getting a dog isn’t as easy as picking a cute face. It’s a time-consuming process that requires a lot of research and brutal honesty about where we’re at in our lives and where we want to go.

Before we bring home a dog, it’s important to understand how a dog can impact our lives and improve the way we see things. Dogs can be a beautiful asset to our day-to-day experience, but they can also be a devastating hindrance and a heartbreaking chapter when we don’t do the right research and get a dog that fits who we are and what we need. If you’re thinking about getting a dog, don’t do it without building up your knowledge and making the important considerations first.

Making the decision to get a dog.

There are a number of reasons that people make the decision to get a dog and none of them are necessarily right or wrong. Animals add a great deal of value to our lives, and they bring with them a number of added benefits that improve the way we live and the way we see the world around us. A dog can be a therapist, a best friend and an (almost) lifetime companion. Dogs are a big like soulmates and they can become important foundations of our families and our lives. That’s when we do things right, however, and make sure we are seeking the right dogs for the right reasons.

There is almost no comfort a dog can’t provide. Numerous studies have shown that canine companions improve countless facets of our lives, including our mental health, feelings of loneliness, need for companionship, assistance, outdoor work, therapy, etc. Reasons for adding a dog to the family can genuinely be countless, but they have to be specific before we make the leap to adoption. While that might seem simple, it’s actually a bit of a time-consuming process that requires a lot of honest and getting real about what we want and what we can realistically offer to a prospective puppy or rescue adoptee.

For some of us, we simply want a dog because it’s a fundamental part of the family and the only thing we’ve ever known. For others, they just need companionship, or a friend to look out for them when they’re down or in serious emotional or physical need (seizures, stroke, terminal illness, handicap, PTSD, etc.) There is no right or wrong reason for wanting a dog. They are one of the best things we can do for ourselves when we get the process right and commit the time and research that’s needed before bringing them home.

The benefits of owning a dog.

The benefits of owning a dog are almost as countless as the reasons for getting a dog. There are a handful, however, that make it an especially rewarding relationship. Dogs can do everything from make us feel more safe to actually improving our mental health and clarity. Understanding the benefits of dog ownership is a great way to take into account what you really need from a human-dog partnership.

Feeling more secure

It’s no secret that dogs are their own little built-in security system. When you have a dog, you always know what’s going on outside and that’s something that can make you feel radically more secure. Even if your dog isn’t the greatest of guards, it will provide companionship which can also create a sense of security on its own.

Less likely to feel depressed

Dogs are great for our mental health and can drastically help those who are suffering from stress or mental health issues. When you own a dog, you’re less likely to feel depressed and more likely to stay engaged in life. Caring for a dog allows you to get out of your head, which is something that can alleviate the symptoms of depression and make it easier to stay positive or grateful for at least some facet of your life. Having a dog makes you more positive, and that’s a fact proven by a number of studies.

More exercise

It will come as no surprise that having a dog equals more exercise. Dogs are active creatures, and they’re also creatures that have to go outside to relieve themselves. Having a dog motivates you to get off the couch and get outside, s you take them on required potty breaks and exercise breaks that allow you both to get some fresh air and stretch your legs.

A lot less stress

Several studies have shown that dogs actively decrease the amount of stress we feel or experience in our lives. Whether you’re just petting your dog, playing with your dog, or getting outside on big adventures and expeditions — interacting with our happy pooches can make us happier and dramatically improve the quality of our lives by decreasing the stress we experience every single day.

Better social life

What many people often overlook is the social boost we receive from our pups and rescued companions. People with dogs are more likely to stop and talk with new people, or introduce themselves to new people. Going to the dog park, or even just taking your dog on a walk around the block can add up to big boons in your social circle. Likewise, a number of social clubs exist entirely around specific breeds or rescues, and these can unlock and new world of social acquaintances and passionate pet-lovers that offer support and joy.

Better health

Dogs can actually help improve our health in a number of ways. When you own a dog, your children are actually less likely to develop certain allergies, and owning a dog has also been shown to improve heart health. Dog owners also have a lower risk for general illness, something which is believed to be linked to the lower levels of triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels they have compared to non-dog owners.

Picking the perfect dog.

Once you’ve come to understand the benefits of dog ownership, you can start to form the picture of the dog you want (before making your final and most important considerations). Getting the perfect dog starts with envisioning your dream dog and then working back from there. All sorts of things go into finding a dog that fits, and that includes their size, energy level and even their breed and the way they interact with others.

Size

First, think about what size dog you want. Are you more drawn to large dogs or small dogs? Why? Do you just want something that looks like a puppy? Or, are you looking for a companion that can travel well. Size is an important thing to think about when picking the right dog, because there’s a lot of aspects of our lives that the size of a dog can impact. Make sure you’re choosing both the size you want and the size that fits you. Ensure your choice is coming from an honest place.

Energy levels

Dog owners frequently forget to take into consideration the energy levels of the dog they want or have. Rather than researching the history of the breed they’re interested in, many people go for a dog on looks alone. This can be a devastating choice, as energy levels can dictate the entire future of the dog and the way it behaves at home and in relation to others. If you choose a dog who has more energy than you’re able to deal with, you could be looking at a recipe for disaster.

Maintenance

Maintenance is the next box to check when picking the perfect puppy or rescue dog for you. Some dogs have complex coats that require the regular and knowledgeable attendance of a groomer. Others have very particular coats that can’t be washed frequently or brushed and groomed in a certain manner. You have to consider how high or low maintenance a dog is and then compare it against what you’re able to give (more on that below).

Age

It’s important not to overlook the age of the dog you want, and to make it a major part of the decision making process. Though we all love the adorable patter of puppy paws, taking care of a puppy is a substantial amount of work and one that takes a substantial amount of time. Not all lifestyles are made for puppies, and yours might require an older dog that already has some of the hard work out of the way.

Breed

Though every single dog has a unique personality (and unique hang-ups) all its own, the breeds contained in your dog can have a big impact on the personality of the dog. A lot of this can come down to energy levels, but it also comes down to the purpose of the breed in the first place. Some breeds will show a tendency toward atheletic ability and intelligence, while some might be a little flabbier around the middle and slower on the uptake. You have to do your research and learn more about the potential breeds that fit your lifestyle and the environment you find yourself in.

Questions to ask yourself before bringing home any dog.

Once you have your perfect dog in mind, it’s time to get real about what you have to offer that dog, as well as what that dog can offer to your lifestyle. Though you might want a big dog with all the spunk and energy of a farmhand, you have to make some final considerations that really whittle down what you want and what you need. It’s important to remember that those two things aren’t always aligned, especially when discussing dogs, and it’s important to consider these critical factors before bringing home a new furry friend.

1. What type of lifestyle do you lead?

One of the most important considerations you can make — whether you adopt an adult dog or puppy — is the type of lifestyle that you lead. This is something that actually requires a lot more introspection than first suspected, and it’s something that requires a lot of honesty too. Not every dog is cut out for every lifestyle, so you have to be real about how you live, and you have to get real about how a dog could add to that, or detract from that.

All dogs are cute, but not every dog is meant to live in an apartment complex or outside in the elements on a big farm. Likewise, some dogs require a lot of personal interaction and work from their owners, while others dogs might be a bit more independent or stand-offish. While this might come down to the breed in some circumstances, it mainly comes down to the dog in general. If your lifestyle isn’t equipped to easily adapt to what the dog’s natural needs are — it’s probably not a great idea to add them to the family.

Don’t just consider the external factors of your lifestyle (like environment, training time, etc.) also consider the internal factors as well. Are you ready to make some major adjustments in your life and put things like social gatherings, time at work or even family plans on hold? If you insist on getting a big dog with a lot of energy, are you ready to get up at 5AM each day for a 5-mile run? Like infants and children, dogs require specific care that is the responsibility of the people who take them on. Unless you’re ready to make serious sacrifices, you might want to rethink the dog or the adoption process altogether.

2. Do you want children?

One of the most overlooked considerations that are made when adopting a dog is often that of children. For those that already have children, they often to fail to consider whether the dog they want is really suited to the challenge. For others, they don’t consider the fact that having a baby and a dog at the same time is a unique struggle, and one that requires you to commit equally to all parties involved.

Dogs are a commitment that extends beyond the decision to have children. When you take on a dog, you are not only taking on a commitment to that dog for the time being; you’re taking on a commitment through thick and thin — whether situations or circumstances change or not.

Sure, there are extinuating circumstances that can make it tragically impossible to hold onto our pets, but making the decision to have children is not one of them. Dogs (and cats for that matter) can be trained to adapt to a new child, and children most certainly can adapt to treating dogs in kind. To give up on your (helpless) dog in exchange for a choice you made after your commitment to them isn’t only self-centered, it’s wrong. You can have a family and hold onto your dog. Is it more work? Sure. But that’s a part of the bargain you make when you agree to become their pet-parent.

3. What about your other pets?

Any other pets that are a part of your household have to be considered before bringing a new fur-baby home. The commitments we make to our animals are serious and they don’t belong solely to our dogs. Our cats, birds, reptiles and event companion rodents have to be taken into careful consideration when deciding whether or not to bring a home a dog, and the type of dog to select.

Think about any other animals in your household and take into account things like their age, personality, anxieties or any other special needs that might make it hard for them to cope. Consider what their lives will be like with the addition of a new puppy or rescue. Would they get along well with a new companion, or would the addition stress them out beyond repair? We know our animals the best, and only we can make that decision. It’s a consideration we owe them, however, due to the promise we made to them to care for them and make their lives good ones.

Most animals can get along fine with a new addition to the animal family, but it can be a nuanced process that takes time, persistence and the understanding that it’s sometimes darkest just before the dawn (looking at you, cat owners). If you’re insistent on adding a new canine companion, make sure it is one that causes as little conflict as possible in not only your life, but the life of your other animal family members. It’s only fair, and it’s the same respect you would want to receive if you were in the same position.

4. What are your future plans?

Making future plans is an important part of life, and it should be an important part of the “should we get this dog” consideration process too. We make plans all those times, and within those plans we make all sorts of all goals and take all kinds of considerations. It’s only right that we make a few more considerations for our animal companions, and compare the quality of their lives against the potential quality of our own.

Before choosing a puppy or running down to the rescue take a step back and just stop. Look at where you’re at, and then take a good hard look at where you want to go. Does the future look turbulent? Are there any real fears that you could realistically be homeless, looking for work or otherwise enduring a life that might spiral out of control? If the answer seems like it could be yes to any of those things, it might be a sign to pull back even further, and wait until things settle down.

Be brutally honest about where you’re at, and be brutally honest about where you’re going. Just because things are a little stressful doesn’t mean you can’t get a dog, but if it’s too hard to provide yourself with any quality of life, it might impossible to provide a high quality of life for any other living thing. We can only care fore a pet as well as we care for ourselves. Though we might want a dog desperately, it’s not always the right time. Before you make any hard-to-change moves, take a little time to be considerate of both your future plans and that dogs future life.

5. Does the dog you want fit your finances?

We live in tough financial times and they seem to be getting tougher by the day. Though we don’t like to hear it, finances are an important part of getting a dog and it’s also an important part of caring for it. Dogs aren’t always cheap, and when something goes wrong it can add up fast. If you’re seriously considering buying a puppy or adopting an older dog, you have to take your finances into consideration, and you have to think about your financial future too.

Look for a dog that fits what you can spare financially. This doesn’t just come down to the purchase or adoption price. This comes down to all the costs associated with the dog including monthly food and insurance bills, unexpected vet costs, regular check-ups and vaccinations, as well as housing, travel, toys, treats, grooming, etc. Focus on the fool picture and then compare it honestly to your current financial situation. If your dog gets struck down by a car, can you afford the $2,000 vet bill to save their lives? It’s a consideration that has to be made.

That’s not to say that only those who are minted can own or adopt a dog. Some rescues have programs which allow good-hearted samaritans to adopt old dogs or those with special needs while covering the remaining medical bills of the dog. Likewise, certain sizes or types of dogs can prove more economical to adopt and maintain. Fostering too is a great way to get the joy of dog ownership, with a lot of the financial burden removed, as many foster programs provide things like food, training and even medical care and transportation. The real secret is getting honest about what you have available (now and in the future) and what you can provide for the foreseeable.

6. What environment can you offer a dog?

Perhaps one of the greatest things we can consider when choosing the right dog for us is what type of environment we can offer our canine companions. This is a complex thing to consider, however, and it has a lot of moving pieces. That’s because our environments involve all the parts of our lives — both external and internal — that come together to make the overall experience. Before we bring home a puppy or a dog-in-need, it’s important to consider what the world around us is like, and what it can offer a pupper.

Sit down and take a brutally honest look at your life and how you exist right here and now. Do you live in an apartment or a house? Do you have access to a large back yard or nearby green space? Dogs are not decorations, they’re animals that need lots of outdoor time and exercise; with some needing substantially more than others. Likewise, some dogs can’t tolerate a lot of noise, stress or rough-housing in their environments. Do you have a brood of children under the age of 5? A small, nervous, bird-like and delicate dog might not be the best choice for such a high-energy home.

This is a lot easier to do when you think of your dog as not only a dependent, but an extension of who you are. Our dogs should not be a showy or aesthetic asset. They should be reflections of the type of life we lead, and the type of world we live in. Choose a dog that fits your environment. If you run a lot of marathons and want to spend a lot of time outdoors with a companion who can keep us — go for a big sporting breed, or a wise working dog (like a border collie) who could keep up and compliment who you are and the type of environment you like to immerse yourself in.

Putting it all together…

Bringing home a new puppy or adopted dog isn’t as easy as picking a pet you like the look of. Dogs, no matter how big or small they are, are a major commitment that take a major amount of work. No matter how badly we might want a dog, we’re not always at the right place in our lives to add one to our families. That takes a lot of introspection, though, and a lot of understanding about what makes the perfect dog for you and the family and future you’re seeking to build.

Consider the type of lifestyle you lead, and be brutally honest about it. We have to get dogs that compliment the way we already live, not look for dogs that fit some delusional idea we’re aiming for. Take into consideration too whether or not you want to add children in future, and whether or not you’re ready to take on the challenge of raising a new youngster while also caring for your furry friend. Think about your other pets, and focus on your future plans and pick a dog that can make that journey with you. Dogs are a commitment, and they’re a commitment that often runs for more than a decade. Pick a new fur friend that you can financially support, and pick one that is a natural extension of the environment you already exist in. Bringing home a new puppy or rescue dog shouldn’t be a major disruption, it should feel like a natural process. Take the time to think things through and offer the best home you can to the best dog that you can for you. It might take some uncomfortable honesty, but it will add up to big results.