What you will have wished you'd known before getting a pet dog

Dog’s are a wonderful pet. There is no surprise why they are often called ‘man’s best friend.’ They are loyal, fun and there for you. They have an unconditional love for you; that is just so lovely. They make great pets, but there are some things that you will want to know about getting a dog, beforehand. So here are a few little insights.

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Do your research

You need to do some research before you get a pet dog. There are so many different breeds and crossbreeds to choose from. Dogs have some traits the same, but mostly it does vary from breed to breed. So you need to choose a pet dog according to the requirements that you have. A child-friendly dog will probably be a different option than someone wanting a guard or watchdog. You might want an adventurous dog to go on long walks and hikes with you. It would be a different option than an older couple just wanting a dog for some companionship. So take your time in deciding which dog to go for. Otherwise, it isn’t going to work well. You will both get a little frustrated, and that is no good.

Think about the costs

Having a pet can cost a lot of money but in particular a dog. They have a long lifespan and can need quite a bit of money spent during that time. There are vets and health bills to consider. You could get pet insurance too, to help cover the big expenses. Not to mention the day to day costs of food and water. Then there are things like toys, bedding, coats and grooming accessories. Dogs are totally worthwhile, but the costs need to be considered.

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Puppy training

It goes without saying that training a puppy can be hard work. There is a reason they featured a puppy in the Andrex adverts over the years! Puppies can be cheeky and lots of fun. The training can be tough, though. It is like having a toddler in a lot of ways. So bear that in mind. Plenty people do train puppies, but it can take a lot of time and perseverance. So bear that in mind when you are choosing between a puppy and an older dog.

It takes time

You might think that having a dog takes up a lot of your time. But you don’t understand that until you have a pet dog. There are the daily walks, as well as grooming time and playtime. It takes more time to arrange things like trips abroad or even a weekend trip. Like a new child can change your lifestyle and routines, so can a new dog.

The commitment

Most of all, you will wish you would have known just how rewarding having a dog is. They do just become like another member of the family. I don’t think enough people are prepared for that kind of relationship, but it just happens. So you will want to be in it for the long haul.