So you want to get a new dog? 10 things you should consider before you adopt or buy

It is heartbreaking to hear stories of dogs that have to be returned to the breeder or given back to a shelter or rescue group shortly after being adopted or purchased.

The reasons range from behavioral problems to not being able to afford vet care. In most cases, rehoming a dog can be avoided by researching and planning before you get a new dog.

Here is a list of things you should consider before getting a new dog.

How much can you afford per month for healthcare?

Pets, like children, are expensive. If you were planning on having children you would establish a budget and make sure you can afford the things your children need. The same thing needs to be done for dogs. You should establish how much you can afford to spend monthly.

There are monetary costs like food, vet visits, supplies, training, daycare, or dog walking services and then there are time costs like walks, enrichment activities, training, feeding, hygiene activities (teeth brushing, brushing, nail trimming, baths, ear cleaning).

You should consider all possibilities and make sure you have the money and time to take care of these needs.

What kind of lifestyle do you live?

Do you work long hours and have little free time? Are you really active and love to run, go on walks, or go on camping trips? Do you enjoy getting cozy and reading a book or watching a movie most nights? Do you have lots of free time?

Thinking about your lifestyle and how a dog fits into it is going to make choosing what kind of dog easier. Generally speaking, breeds have certain types of characteristics. Some dogs are bred for specific things like herding or hunting. Do these characteristics align with your lifestyle? Or do they clash?

Choosing a dog that fits into your lifestyle with as little friction as possible is going to make your life easier. Your dog is going to be much happier as well!

What breed works with your lifestyle?

Research the breeds you are interested in. The AKC website has a description of the breed and general characteristics. You could also search for Facebook groups or other forums for specific breeds.

Reading posts from people that have the breed will give you some insight into expected behaviors. Keep in my mind that dogs are as individual as we are. And just because a dog is a certain breed does not guarantee they will possess the same characteristics you’ve read about.

If you’re purchasing from a breeder, do research on the breeder. Ask them about their litters and what kind of dispositions they breed for. You can also check out Puppy Culture’s website for more information on quality breeding information.

Where do you live?

Where you live is going to impact your new dog’s life and how you care for them. Do you live in an apartment or house? Some breeds would not do well in an apartment.

If you do live in an apartment, do you have the time to devote to walks, exercise, and enrichment activities?

If you live in a house, do you have a fenced-in backyard? Even if you have a fenced-in backyard, do you have the time to provide other mentally stimulating activities and daily walks? Do you live in a city or a rural area?

The answers to these questions will help guide you to the right breed.

Expectations

Having realistic expectations will set both of you up for success. Dogs don’t come pre-programmed with skills and behaviors that are desirable to you.

These skills and behaviors need to be taught and reinforced. So if you are adopting from a shelter or if you are getting your new pup from a breeder asking what kind of training and socializing they have done will give you a base to start with.

How does your new dog fit into your life? What do you envision your daily life to look like with your new dog? If your new dog doesn’t fit into these expectations, what will you do? As with a lot of things in life, a new dog may not turn out the way you planned.

The great news is dogs are amazing and smart. With the right resources and enough time both of you can adapt to fit into each other’s lives.

Training

Dogs need ongoing education. That can be training that you provide or you can do classes or one-on-one training with a trainer a behaviorist. Or you can choose not to do any further training.

The point is you need to at least think about training and what you’re willing or not willing to do.

Training has a cost. Classes and one-on-one training are going to cost time money. If you do training on your own, it is going to cost the time to learn how to train and then to implement that training.

What is your plan if x, y, and z happen?

We can’t see into the future but we can have plans in place for the unexpected. What kind of plan will you have in place if you decide to move, or you have a new baby, or if you are diagnosed with a serious health problem that drastically changes your lifestyle?

Although these changes may not happen, it’s good to take some time to think about these scenarios and how you would handle them.

Do you have other pets?

Is this an additional pet in the household? If so, do you have a plan in place to make sure that there is a smooth transition introducing them into the mix?

Some breeds have a strong prey drive. If you’re thinking about getting this type of dog and you already have a cat or other small animal, you may want to look for a different type of dog.

Think about your current pet’s personalities. Will they fit in with them? You should do some planning so everyone in the household has a smooth and happy transition.

Have you had a dog before?

Some dog breeds take an experienced person to handle them. Breeds that were bred to be working dogs tend to need a more experienced person to understand their needs and to provide them.

So if you’re a first-time dog owner you should do a lot of research into the breeds you’re interested in. Have an open mind; sometimes the kind of dog we want doesn’t match up with our needs and experience.

Lifespan

Dogs have a wide range of life expectancy. Some larger breeders only live to be 8–10 years old and some other breeds can live to 14–16+ years. According to Guinness world records the oldest dog recorded lived to be 29 years and 5 months. That’s a long time!

You should think about how long this new dog will be in your care. Are you going to be able to provide the care they need for their lifetime? If not, will you be able to make accommodations so they are taken care of the way they need to be if you are no longer able to?

These are the questions you may not think about when you start looking at those adorable pictures on Petfinder but they will help you make a sound decision.

I’ve worked in pet retail for over ten years. I’ve had new pet parents that range from doing all the research before getting a dog, to doing none at all.

The ones who did their research had a happy and healthy relationship with their dog. They were confident in making decisions and finding the right products.

The ones that did little to no research were stressed out and had no confidence in making decisions for their dog.

Deciding to get a new dog should be more than an emotional decision. You should move past the cute pictures and take time to research and plan before adding a new dog into your life. Doing your part will ensure that another dog won’t end up in the shelter system.

Daniel is a freelance writer and editor. He specializes in blog writing and editing in the pet industry. If you would like to work with Daniel you can reach him at danielstarkwriting@gmail.com or visit his website at www.danielstarkwriting.com.