Maybe the kids have been begging for years. Or maybe one of the adults in the house never got to have a puppy when they were younger and have always dreamed of it. For whatever reason, you are considering a dog for the first time and have just about decided it’s time to add a furry friend to your household.
But you’re still in that consideration phase, and really, you should take your time and think this through carefully. Having a dog is a big deal. It’s a big commitment. It’s a serious commitment. This is another life we’re talking about, and depending on the type of dog, you’re looking at an average of a ten to thirteen year commitment. Even longer for some dogs.
What should you consider besides the color of your dog and what you might like to name them? (Those are fun things but not the sort of serious stuff we need to think about.)
Questions to ask yourself
Do you have the time to have a dog? This is a big one. Dogs are not cats (though cats deserve just as much attention and care and are too often seen as too self-sufficient.)
When you get a puppy, those first few months can feel like you have a baby. They’re reliant on you for everything and they need sufficient attention to be socialized into adult dogs that you and others want to be around.
You can read more about ways to socialize your dog on our blog. And we also suggest that, if you’re totally new to dogs, you take some time to go through our blog archives. There’s so much there to help you through all the phases of this dog life.
Another question: do you have the patience for a dog? Again, there is a lot of work up front with puppies. Training takes time and it can’t be rushed.
Further: what kind of dog would actually fit into your life? You can take a quiz here to start to get an idea of what type of dog would be right for your lifestyle. (Of course, we’re partial around these parts…)
When researching a dog, look at temperament and consider how much space you have.
Things that you’ll need to do before bringing your pup home
- Find a vet. The closer to your home, the better, but also check out reviews and ask friends who have dogs.
- Prepare and puppy proof your home. There’s a lot to this so check out that article.
- Hit the pet store with a good list. Like this one.
- If you have plants in your house, check them. Make sure they’re dog safe.
- Think about whether or not you’ll be taking your dog to daycare, and if you will be, start investigating now to see if there are waiting lists, age limits, or any necessary preparations.
- Think about your daily routine and how you’ll fit your puppy into that. You will want to establish consistent patterns right from day one.
- Maybe read up on or watch videos about basic training. Again, you’ll want to start from day one or get yourself a puppy that comes ready. Though even then, you yourself will need some training. (Check out Sundance Retrievers’ upcoming planned litters.)
- You can also look into hired dog walkers. If you’re a work from home person, this can be really helpful. You can have someone come and do the midday walk and not have your workflow interrupted.
Above all, remember to have fun. And relax – your puppy feels what you’re feeling.