Are You Ready to Adopt a Dog – Questions to Ask Yourself

Do you find yourself smiling and squealing in delight every time you pass a dog walking in a park or along the street with its owner? Do you constantly stop and just “browse” in the local shelter wishing you could take home each and every dog you see? Have you already started picking out the perfect name for the dog you don’t yet own? If you’ve answered yes to all of these questions, then there’s a good chance you are giving serious thought to adopting your own dog.

While you are well aware that a dog is a commitment, there is still more to be aware of before you take that plunge and bring one home. To help determine if you are indeed ready for the responsibility, here are some questions you can ask yourself in advance.

How Much Time Do You Spend at Home?

The first question to start with has to do with taking a look at your lifestyle and how often you are at home. If you’re the type that is somewhat of a home-body and rushes home after work each day, then it makes sense that you’d enjoy that companion waiting for you. If, however, you work long hours and then like to go out with family and friends in your free time, and rarely find yourself at home, then it’s probably not the best time to be thinking about adopting a dog.

Are You Aware of How Much Dog Ownership Costs?

Sure, you may have saved enough money to purchase a dog and get all the items needed to get them comfortable at home (a leash, crate, food, toys, and a dog bed), but what about the other expenses? Dogs, just like humans, need regular health check-ups, this means vet visits. 

These vet visits can get pretty expensive too, especially when you start adding up the cost of yearly vaccinations, medications, and any surgeries (such as having the dog spayed or neutered). Should your dog develop any sort of medical or health issues, these costs can really balloon out of control.

One thing that you may want to look into is insurance for pets. Companies such as Everypaw offer dog insurance and cat insurance that helps to cover all kinds of expensive vet bills. There are a variety of plans you can look into to find one that would work with your needs and budget.

Would You Be Willing to Do the Training?

Whether you want to adopt a puppy or an adult dog, there will also be training involved. Depending on the breed(s) of the dog, training can be relatively straight-forward or a bit more challenging. It’s also important to ask how you would go about training your dog. Would you do everything yourself, sign up for a class, or hire a private trainer?

Do You Have the Ideal Set-Up for a Dog?

Take a look around your home and outdoor space. Would it be ideal for a dog? The amount and type of space shouldn’t just determine if you can get a dog, but also what kind of breed would be best.

Making the Right Choice

By asking yourself these questions, you’ll be able to make the best decision for you, your lifestyle, and the life of your dog.