Do Not Get A Dog If …

There are many excellent reasons to get a dog, especially for people who grew up with dogs and understand completely what responsibilities are attached to this decision. Unfortunately, too many people become dog owner’s for all the wrong reasons and quickly discover that the situation is almost unbearable. Many of these unloved dogs end up as strays, having been dumped by their owner and others simple wallow in neglect because they are ignored or, worse, poorly cared for. If you are serious about getting a dog, then it’s imperative that you fully examine your lifestyle and reasons before you make your final decision.

If any of the following apply to your situation, then I strongly advise you to re-examine your reasons for wanting a dog.

1) You’re A Workaholic and Have Very Little Time For Recreation

In order for a dog or puppy to bond with its new owner and properly adjust to its new surroundings, a lot of time together needs to be set aside. It would be a disaster to just pick out a puppy, bring it home, play with it for a while and then forget it. It’s very important to spend quality time with the new member of your household. Especially for puppies, this means plenty of playtime, regular walks outside every day and some form of obedience training.

Spending time with your pet is so important that if you don’t, you’re just asking for trouble because neglected pets will often act up and start engaging in destructive behavior. If your dog is alone too much, he will not be properly socialized, which may result in his being inordinately fearful of strangers and other animals. This may also cause him to become aggressively defensive towards them as well. If you are a busy person who might find it difficult to spend quality time with your dog, then it’s best to postpone adopting one until your life is less hectic.

2) Money is Tight and You Can Barely Afford to Pay Your Basic Costs of Living

Even if you are given one as a gift, pets are never really free. First of all, you have to pay for a good quality dog food. If it’s a small dog, this may not be a burden. However, if you get a large dog, food costs can be over $100 a month. Second, you must provide your dog routine medical care such as spaying or neutering, vaccinations and exams and dental care, along with any emergency medical services that could come up.

Third, depending on your dog’s breed, you may need to have it professionally groomed – an expensive proposition. Even if you decide do the grooming yourself, you’ll have to pay for the grooming supplies. Finally, you’ll need to purchase other items such as dog dishes, toys and other goodies. If you can’t afford to take care of your dog in an appropriate manner, then please postpone your puppy adoption plans until you’re in a better financial position.

3) Someone Told You To Get A Dog for Protection

Even a dog specifically trained to guard a home is not just an inanimate security device. A dog is a living creature who deserves to be loved by whoever adopts him. Guard dogs need consistent and caring interaction with their owners, just like any other pet and should be treated as a part of the family, otherwise, the qualities (alertness, aggressiveness and possessiveness) that make them excellent at guarding can turn them into “bad dogs” if left on their own. If you’re not prepared to accept your dog as part of your family and to socialize it properly, then don’t adopt one. If you need security, it’s better to install an alarm security system instead.

4) You Want Something For Your Kids To Play With

If your kids get bored easily and are always looking for ways to entertain themselves, then buy them more toys. Do not under any circumstance get your kids a dog unless they really want one and appreciate it as a living creature rather than just another toy and, most important, do not buy a dog for your kids unless you want one as well. Let’s be honest, you may pretend the dog belongs to the kids, but the adults will ultimately be responsible for its care, feeding and medical expenses. Do not bring a dog into your household unless both you and your kids fully understand the long term responsibilities required.

5) You’ve Decided to Breed Dogs and Make Lots of Money

This one could really turn out to be a disaster. Why? Because successful and reputable dog breeders are usually in the business because they love dogs. In fact, quite often a person develops a breeding business only after years of having had many dogs of a particular breed as pets. The best breeders usually have years of experience with the breed and know everything there is to know about its traits, history and physical characteristics. These people also love to educate others about the breed.

The bills associated with the feeding and care of dogs for breeding far surpasses any income generated, especially for the first few years. So, buy a dog because you love the breed and cherish him as a part of your family and perhaps in time a business could develop. Dog breeding is not a get rich quick scheme. It requires time to develop a good reputation and a lot of patience. If you’re looking for a get rich quick scheme, then best to just keep buying those lottery tickets.

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Glenn Cutforth is a writer, eBook publisher and graphic designer.

Visit his websites at: The Complete Cat.com and How To Classics.com

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