If your children or partner have been nagging you for a dog for some time now then take a look at this article explaining all about what it’s like to have a dog around at home. Dogs can be a great company and as the saying goes, they are indeed man’s best friend. However, dogs, as with any pet, are a huge responsibility. You have to make sure that you and your family are ready for that extra mouth to feed and legs to walk. Pets can teach kids a huge number of things including that they last a long time. It isn’t just something that they ask for and then push to the side, like an unwanted Christmas present. It is essential that children are taught that a dog is for life, the duration of theirs, which can sometimes be up to 15 years. 

Space 

The very first thing that you need to consider when thinking about bringing a dog into your home is, is there enough space for one? They may be small but they can take up a lot of space, and we don’t just mean in your heart. You need to make sure that your home has sufficient space for the new addition to sleep, run, and stretch out. Dogs, like humans, aren’t a fan of feeling cramped and will act up if they don’t like something. Dogs like to run, and they especially like to have time doing zoomies around your home. For this, it is essential they have an outdoor space to go crazy and run off all their excess energy. If you have a big dog then it is recommended you also have a big garden to go with them. 

If you give the dog access to your garden, you need to make sure that it is secure and that the dog can’t escape. There have been a few incidents where the dog has either jumped up and over the fence or opened the back gate. This results in a lot of unnecessary stress for both you and potentially the dog. If you are worried about this then you can invest in a special mesh fence that goes around the perimeter of your garden. 

Budget 

Now, if you have the space then it’s time to work out the budget you have available for a dog. You may not have the money to hand in straight away to pay for your new puppy but it gives you a general idea of how much you will need to save. If the kids also want the dog then maybe it will be a good idea to get them to save and contribute also, not a huge amount just something that they can be proud of. Dogs are not cheap, lockdowns and covid really pushed the price up to and through the roof. If you are looking to get a pedigree dog then these are even more expensive. 

When you are working out your budget you need to remember that there will be a continuous need for money when it comes to owning a dog. You won’t just be paying for the dog, there will be vet bills and monthly food bills as well. Depending on what you feed your dog, this can also be expensive. A lot of dogs, especially big working dogs benefit from a raw food diet. So you may need to fork out for a spare freezer or fridge as well as the food itself. 

It is also important to be prepared for the cost of end-of-life care for a dog, including at-home euthanasia for dogs. This can be an emotional and expensive time, and it is crucial to consider the cost of these services in advance and plan for them as part of your budget for pet ownership. Some pet owners choose to set aside a specific amount of money each year to cover these costs or purchase pet insurance to help cover the expenses. By being prepared for the end-of-life care costs, pet owners can ensure that their furry companion is given the best possible care and comfort in their final days without the added stress of financial concerns. 

Breed

Now it’s time to shop around for the breed you think would fit best with your family. Be aware that there are lots to choose from. Some will not be suitable to live with children and it will say this when you do your research on them. It is so important to carry out your research on dogs as getting the wrong one could be detrimental. Don’t just get a dog because you think it looks nice, it has to fit with your family dynamic. Remember that they won’t stay puppies forever, they will grow up and dogs can be strong and fierce when they want to be. 

Think about the size that the dog will become when it’s fully grown. If you don’t want a big dog then look at the small to medium-sized dogs that have great temperaments and get on with children. The boxer is a great example of a medium-sized dog that gets on with children, nicknamed the nanny dog for a great reason. They are gentle and put up with a lot, however, be aware that boxers are very bouncy dogs. Another great breed and probably the most common one for families is the labrador retriever. They also come in three different colors, brown, black, and golden. Check out this website to find out more https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca/ 

Time

If you commit to having a dog then you will need to be around a lot of the time to train it and look after it, especially in the earlier days. Unfortunately, a lot of people got dogs during lockdown but then realized they had to go back to work. Then the dogs are left alone for numerous hours. This can lead to boredom and your home being destroyed. One breed that is notorious for this is the gorgeous husky. When they are bored you will know about it, they will howl, climb up your curtains, chew through your couch and cushions, and anything else they can get their hands on. 

Training

Finally, it is important that you have time to train your new dog. Without the necessary training, your dog won’t know how to interact or react to other people and dogs. You can take your new dog to puppy training classes as this will give them the chance to interact with other dogs and learn how to behave while on and off the lead. If you let your dog run riot off the lead then this shows you are not a responsible dog owner.