Answer These 8 Questions
Before Getting a New Dog
Plan ahead for a happy healthy dog in your life
1) Why do you want a dog? By answering this question, you will open up all the other things you need to decide if you are to make a success of your relationship with this new member of your family.  Is it to replace a beloved pet that has recently passed away? Is it for company, now that the kids have left home? Is it for security, because you feel unsafe in your environment? Are you looking to bring a new dog into a home that already has a resident dog or dogs?
Whatever the reason, it will influence your choice of breed, and whether you get a new puppy or an older dog. It will help you decide who will be primarily responsible for the dog’s welfare, his feeding and training ... And much much more!
2) What breed of dog have you decided upon? Will it be suitable for your home? Some pedigree dogs can be extremely expensive to buy and also cost a lot to feed and maintain. If you opt for a rescue dog from the local pound, you may get a lovely companion that is lonely and desperate for care and attention, or you may get a delinquent with severe behavioral problems, due to previous mistreatment. Some of the larger breeds are very demanding in terms of space, exercise and grooming. There’s a lot to think about before you decide which breed of dog will suit you best.
3) Where will you get the dog from? If you decide to try a rescue dog, the staff in the pound can give you valuable advice on what to expect but don’t forget, they are keen to see the dog go to a good home. Dog breeders range from excellent to awful and we see many stories of animals which are kept in awful conditions by cynical breeders who are only interested in the money. If buying a pedigree dog, you should certainly see that it is properly registered with the Kennel Club and check the registration personally.
4) How will you manage to train the dog? If it is a puppy, then house training will be the first priority. If you are to enjoy the best relationship with your new friend, it is essential that he receives even the minimum of training to attain a reasonable level of obedience.
Otherwise, you may be bringing a tyrant into your home! Why do you think there are so many abandoned dogs in the local rescue centre?
Have you got the necessary knowledge and experience to train the dog yourself? Perhaps you will both attend classes, or employ a professional dog trainer, or buy one of the excellent courses which are available online.
Whichever method you decide on, it’s a job that has to be done and it will require time and patience. A well-trained dog is a happy dog.
5) Who will be most involved with looking after the dog? If there are several members of the family who are old enough to take some responsibility for his welfare, then absorbing him into your "pack" will be much easier. If you have young children, then getting a new dog may be just like adding another unruly child, just when all your time and resources are stretched to the limit.
6) How much time can you take out of each day, for feeding, grooming, training and most of all, exercise? Will the dog be left alone in the house for long periods? This is a fatal mistake, which is made all too often. If all the family are out all day at work or school, then your dog, in new and strange surroundings will get bored and frightened. This can lead to all sorts of problems, such as chewing and other destructive behavior, excessive barking and whining and inevitable messing of the house. Who wants to come home to a disaster zone?
7) Food is obviously an important consideration for you and your dog. A dog’s natural diet is very different from ours. Just feeding table scraps is definitely not a good idea, if you wish him to get the proper nutrition he needs. Some everyday foods can be toxic for dogs.
Here is an important warning! Some commercial dog foods are potentially dangerous, because they contain ingredients which are banned from human consumption. Andrew Lewis has written a very informative book on this subject. Dangerous Dog Food
8) Let’s not forget about the cost. Apart from the initial cost of buying the dog, there is the matter of food, toys, training aids and health. Will your dog be micro-chipped? Will you take out pet insurance? If you see the size of a typical vet’s bill, you will be well advised to have some form of insurance. You may decide to use a crate to train your dog and possibly when you travel with him. Think of the possible problems with a large dog in a small car!
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