Adopting a new pet dog is a great experience and something the entire family will enjoy. According to a certain report, more than 1.4 million shelter animals are euthanized, with the majority being dogs. The same report also shows that there are over 120K homeless dogs in the UK roaming the streets.
However, adopting a new pet is one of the biggest decisions you can make and one that you must take seriously. So before you welcome any pet dog, it is imperative to consider the following factors:
1. Breed Restrictions
If you and your family have rented an apartment or home, there can be restrictions on living with pets. So you might want to consider what restrictions are there and ascertain that you abide by them in the kind of dog you want to adopt.
The worst scenario that can happen to you is adopting a new dog and realizing that kind of breed is not allowed to stay there. This can force you to re-home the pet, which can add more emotional stress to the dog.
Another thing to note is whether that breed does well with other pets and kids. For instance, if you want to adopt Cocker Spaniel, there are Cocker Spaniel breeders who can guarantee you a perfect breed that can fit your type of household.
2. Living Space
If you stay in a tiny home or apartment, you will need to consider sticking to a small breed and vice versa. But above everything, you will have to pay attention to the dog’s breed, and how the pet is going to respond to other farm animals.
3. Energy Level
Different dogs have varying energy levels, and a particular breed may work well with your household where another one cannot fit in. If you need an avid running pet dog, you may want to consider bypassing a short-legged breed and opt for a herding and athletic sporting dog, like cattle dogs and retrievers.
But if you are looking to have a short walk in the afternoon, you can consider getting a Chihuahua, pug, or Maltese. Importantly, get to know your activity level, and don’t expect that you will become active once you have a pet dog.
4. Dog Training
This is one of the expensive endeavors, especially when you are looking to hire a professional trainer to deal with.
However, it can be fun and inexpensive if you opt to do it yourself, either as a group or in class. If you don’t know where to start, there are books and video courses you may check out. It will work best as long as you’re committed and stick to the dog training.
Final Thoughts!
When you manage to get a good pet dog and bring him home, be sure to be the best companion. Have fun with your pet and let him be part of your life. Remember to also teach your pet dog good manners and basic commands, and equip him with a quality GPS tracker to ensure his safety.