Everything seems rosy when you have fallen in love with a small puppy or a friendly adult dog from a shelter. It is clear that a canine companion brings a lot of happiness, but you should also know the most exhausting aspects of adopting a dog, before deciding to share your life with a quadruped great family additions.
Adopting a dog: a long-term decision
Unfortunately, theAnimal shelters show a harsh reality: often, dog owners did not think long enough before acquiring a canine companion. Adopting a furry friend is a responsibility that lasts at least a decade. Large dogs can live more than twelve years, and small breeds live even longer. Think carefully about whether you have enough money and time for such a long period. Of course nothing is certain in this life and unexpected circumstances such as a separation or illness may occur, which force the dog to be surrendered. But you must take into account everything that is foreseeable.
money issue
Many dog lovers, before purchasing a puppy, think that thedog food is not that expensive. But, before deciding, you should estimate the cost of having a quadruped:
You must take into account the cost ofbasic equipment and purchase price. If you decide to get a dog responsibly, from an animal shelter or a serious breeder, you will spend at least a few hundred euros.
Good quality dog food with high protein content can involve a high monthly expense. Study the quantities recommended by the manufacturer and calculate the estimated cost.
Visits to the vet and civil liability insurance (mandatory inpotentially dangerous dogs ).
It is good that at first your dog visits adog education or training school , which will also cost three figures.
And last but not least, you should always have a reserve fund in case of illness. Veterinarian costs can be very high, both for chronic and acute illnesses.
Although the love of animals has nothing to do with money, assuming the responsibility of having a dog includes having to be aware of the financing that this entails.
Rental homes and neighbors
If you live in a rental house you need to have written consent from the landlord before you can have a dog. Otherwise, the landlord has the right to force the dog to leave the apartment. If you refuse it may mean the termination of the lease. Many rental agreements include the condition that the dog not disturb other tenants and neighbors. Therefore, pay attention that your furry friend does not relieve himself within the urbanization, always give him theleash inside the building and try to stop him from barking. In this way you avoid possible conflicts and ensure a relaxed life for everyone involved. Even if you are a homeowner, you must accept that not all neighbors like dogs. Take them into consideration so that both you and your neighbors can be well.
Not all breeds are suitable
Before purchasing a dog, think carefully about what breed or type of dog suits you and your life circumstances. TheBorder Collies are beautiful, but if you don’t have a flock of sheep or, alternatively, a lot of time to do things together, you shouldn’t have one. On the contrary, if you like to take long walks, do not adopt apug Many dog breeds require a lot of coat care, such as the Old English Sheepdog. Dogs like Munsterlanders or Weimaraners are better off with people who spend a lot of time outdoors, who take them on long hikes and do a lot of sports in nature, than having a life as a family dog. Many breeds are more suitable for first-timers than others. Be well informed and do not underestimate the need for exercise and entertainment of children.working dogs.
Adopt a dog: hygiene and hair
There is no doubt that aA furry puppy is the cutest thing, but many dog owners are amazed at how hairy dog ownership can be. The fine hairs stick to clothes, the sofa and the carpet. Many dog lovers get rid of their corduroy or velvet clothing. Buy yourself a good lint remover and get a specific vacuum cleaner for animal hair. To reduce the amount of hair in your home, during the shedding season you shouldComb your four-legged friend daily, but you will never have a hair-free home again. If you have a poodle or other four-legged animal that barely sheds, you won’t have much hair at home, but all dogs bring in dirt. If you have a serious need for cleaning you should seriously think about whether you can handle that in the long run.
Vacation
A spontaneous trip to Paris for the weekend or a three-week tour of the United States? When you have a dog you mustConsider several things before embarking on trips of this type. If you are lucky enough to have a family member nearby who knows your furry friend and can take him in without a problem, great! But it is often necessary to use a dog boarding facility. This, on the one hand, is not very cheap and, on the other, it is quite hard for some to leave their faithful canine friend in a boarding house, while they are having a cocktail on the beach. That is why it is best that, before the arrival of the new dog, you consider what the options are in case you go on vacation. We recommend that, before going on vacation, you try leaving your dog at the boarding house for a night. Even if this means paying for an extra night, many prefer it to have a good conscience. This way you can test if your quadruped is comfortable. There are those who prefertake the dog on vacation. This is ideal if you are traveling in a caravan or motorhome. There are also many hotels that allow well-behaved dogs to stay.
Leave the dog alone
Dogs are pack animals, so they don’t like to be left alone. An adult dog can be left alone for a while, if you get him used to it little by little. But you shouldn’t be alone for more than four to five hours. Therefore, if you are studying, unemployed or on maternity leave, you should plan in case you plan to work more than half a day in the future. ADog kennels or close relatives who already know the dog can be a good alternative. Very few employers allow dogs at work.
The little ones become big
Everyone who wants to adopt a dog should know that puppies grow up at some point. But it seems that they are not always so clear about it, otherwise, it would not be possible to understand why some are excited when their puppy greets them by jumping at them, because in a few months the dog will weigh five times more and they will no longer find it so funny when he jumps at them. paws full of mud. The same goes for sleeping in bed, asking for food at the table, barking or leaving him alone. You must be consistent with your dog from a young age to guide and train him. If you live in a home with several family members, it is important that everyone acts in the same way.
Go outside, even if it’s cold or raining
Taking a walk with your dog when it’s sunny is wonderful! But your new companion doesn’t care about the weather. A dog needs to go out several times a day. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, windy, snowing or the road is icy. Some breeds prefer not to go out when the weather is bad, but most insist on long walks. This also makes you have more work at home, because before your four-legged friend can get on the couch, you have to dry him. Even on weekends you have to get up early from your comfortable bed to take your dog out, whether it’s hot or cold. On the other hand, adopting a dog provides you with many beautiful moments in nature.
dog feces
Speaking of going outside: dogs relieve themselves outside. If they do them on paths or in common areas, you are obliged to pick up your furry dog’s feces. Many cities have dispensers with poop bags , but always have one on hand, in case you are on public roads. But even in fields or meadows and on dirt roads there should be no abandoned feces. Above all, in the fields, dog waste can cause problems. For example, when these end up in hay for horses, which they then refuse to eat. Get used to always picking up your quadruped’s feces.