Welcome to the final segment of my 5-part series. In this final instalment, I will discuss the importance of final planning before getting a dog. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the previous posts to get a comprehensive understanding of what to consider before bringing a furry friend into your home. You can find the full series in “5 things to know before getting a dog“.
While it may not be the most pleasant topic to consider, planning for your dog’s future care is an essential responsibility of being a dog owner. By identifying a caretaker and preparing your dog for the transition, you can ensure that they are taken care of even when you’re not around. So, let’s dive in and explore what you need to know about final planning before getting a dog.
Research ethical pet care services before getting a dog
By now I hope you have read parts 1 through 3 of this 5-part series that explains the 5 things you need to know before getting a dog. In this 4th segment of this series, you will learn how to research pet care services before getting a dog.
As you prepare to welcome a dog into your home, I recommend that you research to find ethical pet care services. Not all pet care services will ensure that your dog is safe while in their care. So I refer to ones that provide a caring and safe environment for your dog as ethical pet care services. And if you research this in advance, you will give your self the time to contact the various services and ask them questions to be able to choose the ones that are safe for your pet.
There are upstart costs that you need to plan for. So you need to budget for initial expenses before getting a dog. Some of which includes the following:
The price of the dog or puppy itself
You need to budget for the cost of getting a dog. This is important whether you adopt him from a shelter or buy a puppy from a reputable breeder. That price tag varies widely depending on the demand and supply of dogs in general and popularity of specific breeds. And it also depends on geographically where you live. Because the cost of anything is priced relative to the cost of living regionally everywhere and according to demand.
But you can assume that in any major city in North America, you will need to pay an amount ranging from $300 (CDN) at a local shelter to possibly over $5000 (CDN) to purchase a puppy from a breeder. This includes backyard breeders. So you can understand why it’s so important to include this cost in your budget for expected expenses before getting your dog.
And keep in mind that when it comes to buying a puppy from any breeder, price is not an indicator of the breeding quality. A high price can most certainly be justified by a high quality breeder. But puppy mill brokers and backyard breeders can have a high price tag simply to exploit a high demand market. So be sure to take your time and follow the guidance I provided in my prior blogs on finding high quality dog rescue agencies and dog breeders to help you navigate through this research.
By now I hope you have read part one of this 5-part series that explains the 5 things you need to know before getting a dog. This post is all about understanding dog behaviour before becoming a dog parent.
This topic is very important to help you choose the right dog to bring home! It will help you decide if you can manage living with a dog and meeting his needs.
Every dog has an individual personality!
Dog behaviour, just like that of humans, is very complicated. So I recommend that you research the different breeds to learn about their physical and behavioural characteristics. Because then you can choose the breed that best matches your lifestyle! But keep in mind that when it comes to dog behaviour, there are general assumptions about each breed. However, research has shown that there is more variation of behaviour within a breed than between breeds. Here’s one article in Psychology Today by Marc Bekoff Ph.D that discusses this phenomenon. So it’s important that you understand that your future dog will have his own unique temperament and personality regardless of his breed. Plus, if you get a mixed breed or rescue dog, the behavioural characteristics are even more unpredictable! This is because you won’t know for sure what percentages of each breed are in the dog’s genetics, and how those will interact with each other.
Welcoming a dog into your family is a huge decision! Not only for you and your loved ones, but for the well-being of the pet you bring home! So you will need to know 5 essential things before getting a dog.
Some people are simply charmed by the idea of a canine companion, and they don’t give it much thought beyond that! This can be a recipe for disaster. Unanticipated issues can arise, and sometimes the unfortunate dog must be surrendered to a shelter. Don’t let this happen to you! It is extremely upsetting to the family, and of course to the dog, who ends up back in a cage; confused, frightened, and lonely. Many shelters even euthanize the animal if no one comes to their rescue!
Because you are reading this blog, I know you are gathering information to make sure you won’t make such a mistake. The last thing you want to do is upset yourself, your children and leave the dog with an uncertain, even tragic, future. Keep reading and I will share the 5 crucial things you need to know before getting a dog. Then you can make an informed decision about whether to get a dog or not. After all, you want to offer your home to the dog for the rest of his life!
This is number one of a 5-part series. Each segment will provide you with valuable insight into what to consider prior to becoming a dog parent.
This first blog will introduce you to these 5 important considerations. And I will explain the factors that determine if your lifestyle is suitable to living with a dog.
Even if you already have a dog…
Of course, if you already have a dog, you will still find much of the information valuable, either for yourself or for sharing with friends or family. So I encourage you to share the link to this blog with anyone you know who has said that they are thinking about getting a dog– then they can help break this cycle too!
Now let us dive into the first post of this series!
You can help prevent dogs being surrendered to dog shelters!
As you know, there are far too many dogs living in shelters or foster care that desperately need homes. And, as dog lovers, we can all help prevent dogs from being placed in shelters in the first place. So you are likely wondering, how can you help?
Help break the cycle of dogs living in shelters!
When you understand the 5 things you need to know before getting a dog, you will actually contribute to the breaking of this cycle! Your research here means you have a better chance of either choosing the right dog for your lifestyle, or determining now is not the right time for you to get a dog.
