Sandemac Kennel Club

  Is A Dog Really Right For Me?

Buying or adopting a dog is very definitely a long term commitment. You need to honestly ask yourself whether you will be able to devote the next 15 years or more of your life to this new pet. Are you in a position to provide all the food, shelter, attention and veterinary care this animal will need over his or her entire life? Before you jump to any answers, please consider the many aspects of pet ownership and remember this, a dog is like having a child. It is a HUGE amount of responsibility.

 Many people fall in love with a dog because of looks without considering activity level, temperament  and size the dog will be when fully grown. To insure a long happy life for you and your dog, take time toconsider some very important factors. 

Remember that dogs are very much like children. They have many needs. They will be totally dependent upon you both physically and emotionally. They are worthy of all these things and will give you a huge return on all that you invest in them if you make sure you are a 'good fit'.

So........Before you make up your mind please read and think about the questions and comments below.

                                                                                                                                                                   Siberian Husky

Your Lifestyle - Think about your lifestyle for a moment. Are you away from home a great deal of the time? Do you work long hours or travel frequently? A dog should be a companion, who will have ample time to spend with you. Like humans, dogs are social creatures who love to interact with people and other animals. If you will have very little time to spend with your dog, perhaps a goldfish would be a better pet to consider. You can not chain a dog out to a dog house and expect it to be a happy well balanced pet. Being chained or confined to a very small crate or cage frustrates a dog and can lead to many bad traits. Aggression, biting, digging, chewing, and constant barking are the result of a dog that has not been exercised, loved and socialized properly. You wouldn't be happy in a cage all day, why would a loving animal like a dog be any different?

Your Home - Is your home large enough to share with a dog? How will your neighbors feel about this new addition? Will anyone (besides yourself) be disturbed if your dog barks a lot? If you live in an apartment, are there any restrictions on having a dog? Do you have ample areas around your home for your dog to exercise and relieve himself? Get a breed that fits your needs! A greyhound needs lots of room to run for at least an hour. A border collie loves to 'herd.' Most would be neurotic if left in an apartment all day with a 20 minute walk after you get home from work. Most problems dogs have are the result of what we do or do not do as a pack leader and owner. Check out this website for more information on being a pack leader.  

Will water splashed from a water bowl on your clean floor irritate you? Hair on your dining room floor make you cray? Days that a pet must be indoors will playtime be stressful? Is there someone available to let your dog outdoors if you are away for more than a few hours?  What do you do during for their care while you are on vacation? If you travel a lot this can be VERY expensive. Pet sitters and kennels are available but the expense is costly. And it is difficult to find someone you can trust and that your pet feels comfortable around. A good suggestion is to start long before your trip and have a few 'trial' runs with a kennel or pet sitter before you leave. Also most kennels require a kennel cough shot at least 2-3 weeks prior to your pet being a guest.

Your Finances - Buying a dog is only the first step; feeding and caring for your pet over its lifetime are where the real costs lie. Food, veterinary care, licenses, kennels, grooming and supplies can really add up. If you are unfamiliar with these costs, you might want to visit a link with a section titled "What Are The Costs of Owning a Dog?"

                                                                                                                                  
Veterinary Care - A dog, like any member of a family, should receive quality medical care. When you first pick up your dog, you will be expected to have him immunized against several diseases, and perhaps be neutered as well. You will also need to revisit your vet at least once each year for regular follow-up care. Again, these needs can be time consuming and costly, especially if an illness ever occurs. Like a marriage, this commitment is "in sickness and in health".

  Brittany Spaniel

 Messes - Yes Virginia, dogs can be messy. If you plan to keep your dog inside your home, you can count on a variety of challenges, such as: housebreaking accidents, muddy paws tracked across carpeting, pet odors, puppy teething damage on clothing and furnishings, knickknacks being broken, flea and tick infestations, shedding, scratching, etc, etc. How will you feel when these virtually inevitable events occur? 

In Summary:
If you have doubts about any of these issues, perhaps you should wait and give this important decision more thought. Postponing your decision is far more preferable than jumping into pet ownership before you think you are really ready. On the other hand, if none of these areas come as a surprise to you, and you consider all these aspects of owning a dog as simply "second nature" and part of the joy, you are probably ready for the big step. Your biggest challenge (and a great deal of the fun) will be in finding the right dog for you!

                                                 Is my behavior a problem? click me for some tips on behavior modification                               

Need information on being a responsible dog owner?

Click Link Below

  AKC 101 TIPS IN BEING A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER

                                                                                                                                                         Japanese Chin

Boxer Puppy