47% of all families own a dog. It’s a staggering statistic, especially considering so many of these families don’t ask themselves beforehand “Am I ready to be a dog parent?” Most people, unfortunately, look at a dog and think “It’s just a dog, and I’m its owner.” They don’t take into consideration that the dog is now part of the family, and it’s a lifetime commitment.
The sad part is, the dogs are the ones who suffer for it, while the human “owners” rarely suffer any of the consequences. Even worse, often the owners don’t realize they aren’t ready. They don’t realize the commitment, time, and finances, that go into having a dog be a part of the family.
It’s important, when thinking about dog parenting, to ask yourself some questions. Are you ready for the financial commitment? Are you ready for the time commitment? Are you emotionally ready to add a dog to your family? Before answering, you need to consider your answer and weigh them against facts to ensure you are truly ready for a dog.
Are You Ready Financially?
One thing a lot of people overlook when it comes to getting a dog is the basic cost of having one in the family. An actual pup parent looks into all of the costs and makes sure they can afford it before diving into the responsibility of adding a dog to the family. These costs can vary from year to year, but the fact is, you have to be prepared for it. Healthcare costs are probably the first thing people should be looking into. Yearly vaccinations, vet checkups, monthly heartworm, and flea and tick prevention, are all necessary things that many people overlook.
It’s not just the annual and preventative healthcare, either. What happens if your pooch gets sick, or injured? Making sure you have money saved back in case of emergencies is always a must, as you don’t want to be stuck in a situation where your companion needs help and you can’t give it to them.
Outside of healthcare, you have the basic costs. These costs are ongoing, sometimes even weekly. Food, toys, treats, and basic dog needs must be met. If you want a dog that requires grooming, there is another weekly (or monthly) cost to consider. Looking into a dog sitter or walker? That’s a daily cost as well. Before making the commitment, you need to ensure you are ready for these costs.
Do You Have the Time? (training, play, walks, cleanup, bonding time)
So you’ve determined that financially, you are ready. What next? Now it’s time to ask if you really have the time to devote to a new family member. You’ll be looking at spending time with your new pooch pal to bond, but there is more than that. Training will take time (or, conversely, money, if you have someone else do it). And even if you have a dog walker, you’ll still want to take your dog on walks when you are able to, as it helps to promote the bond between the two of you.
Outside of walking, you’ll have to set time aside to play with your pup. This further helps the bond between you grow, while also giving your dog some much-needed exercise.
Are You Ready?
Now that you know you have the money, and you are able to set aside the time, it’s time to ask yourself, are you ready? Again, owning a dog is a lifelong commitment, not just a passing fancy. But if you put in the time and effort it takes, you’ll be rewarded more than you could have ever imagined. It’s time to ask yourself, are you ready for the love and companionship of your new dog? I think so.
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