Lots of beautiful dogs come through our doors at the Humane Society of New York, and many individuals and families are interested in adopting them. Finding that perfect fit between one of our dogs and a prospective pet parent takes care and attention. In part, a good match means being sure that adopters really understand what it takes to own a dog. Here are five things to think about before you adopt a dog.
1. Your lifestyle at home is about to change.
Bringing any new pet into your home entails a significant lifestyle change. This is particularly true for canines, since they demand a high level of care compared to certain other pets. Essentially, a dog believes that they are a full family member. They’re typically very focused on what’s going on in the home and what each individual within it is doing.
If you have children, you’re likely to find them engaging in whatever play is happening just like another one of the kids. In a home with adults, dogs may attach themselves to one person and follow them around or they might enjoy spending time in different ways with various household members. You may find them on the couch or wanting to join you in bed. All this adds up to a somewhat different lifestyle in the home.
2. Life outside your home will also be different.
No longer will you be able to simply lock the front door, get into your vehicle and drive off. Being responsible for a dog requires you to meet their physical and emotional needs. Your pooch needs regular time to eliminate itself outside, exercise, stimulate their senses with regular neighborhood walks and, of course, count on a scheduled mealtime and a full, clean water bowl.
Meeting these daily needs can keep you at home more than before your pupper came to live with you. You need to organize your day accordingly and ensure that you’re at home to take care of your dog’s needs, or you need to make other arrangements for those needs to be met. You may want to investigate pet sitting or dog walking services or take your pet to a doggie day care. If taking a vacation trip is on your agenda, you could need to board your pet.
3. Your time is no longer your own.
It is likely that part of the reason you are interested in having a dog in your life is because it will demand a lot of your time. You now have another being to consider—an attentive canine companion, quite eager to join you in almost any activity.
Sure, you can allow your pooch some supervised yard time and offer toys to help keep them occupied for a while. But you also need to spend a fair amount of time interacting with them. This is where the fun begins! Your dog will absolutely love hanging out with you. They may be the perfect partner for those hikes you’ve been wanting to take. Your doggo will get you out into the fresh air, playing catch in the park and interacting with other pet parents. You’ll find so many health benefits to spending time with your dog.
4. Not all pet insurance is created equal.
Pet insurance can be a good investment. Your canine friend will need a good veterinarian and these out-of-pocket costs can be difficult to predict. Aside from regular checkups and keeping vaccinations current, there will be other vet expenses that you cannot reliably predict.
While no one wants to think about their dog becoming ill or having an accident, these things happen. If your pet needs surgery, it can get really expensive quickly, particularly if there is a complication and your pet needs round-the-clock monitoring or specialist care. However, you need to understand what your pet insurance covers when you purchase it. Him and You can buy coverage for routine care alone, accident-only insurance that helps with accidental injuries or a more extensive policy that provides financial assistance with disease, illness, and accidents.
5. Your dog needs to be socialized.
Just like their owners, canines need to be well socialized. Chances are, there are other people residing in your home. You may have a spouse, children, roommates, or frequent visitors. Give your new pet an opportunity to get to know all members of the household by starting slowly with an introduction and some quiet time.
You may also have other pets in your house. If so, it’s critical that all the animals feel that they can get comfortable with one another at their own pace and have a private space that’s theirs alone. It could be a pet bed or a special place in the room where they can recharge. Socializing outside the home through obedience or agility classes as well as meeting other people and pets in the neighborhood will be positive experiences for your dog as well.
By being aware of what dog ownership entails beforehand, you can support your dog to adjust to and thrive in their new environment.