Before adopting a dog, you should be mentally prepared to take on the responsibility for at least 10 years. If you cherish the intelligent and caring nature of dogs, please make a thorough consideration before adopting.
What should you consider? You might want to take a look at the following ten self-assessment items. If any of them do not apply to you, please postpone your plan to get a dog. Be honest and introspective, and let’s hope you are not the next person to abandon a dog!
01. Is there time?
Cleaning up the dog’s excrement, bathing, brushing its fur, taking it to the vet for medical treatment, educating it on daily routines, etc. 。 These are things that need to be done for dogs, which will take up a lot of time for their owners. Are you sure you have this much time? Especially for those who insist on raising puppies, you must carefully consider your schedule to see if you can handle the puppy’s tendency to get sick, cry, bite, and not go to the bathroom at the designated place. These annoying traits require the dog’s owner to spend a lot of time and seek the right methods to train and improve them.
If your lifestyle involves getting up early and going to bed late, coming home so exhausted that you collapse on the bed, or frequently traveling away from home for days at a time, you simply do not have the time to do any of the above things, then please do not get a dog!
2. Are you chasing after trends?
If you value a dog’s appearance and perfection, and you want a breed that keeps up with current trends so you can show it off and look impressive when you take it out, then I would advise you not to get a dog. Dogs can be cute, but there will come a time when you grow tired of them. Even the most popular breeds can become unfashionable. The process of caring for a dog can be fun and interesting at first, but for someone with a short attention span, it can become a burden over time. And you may end up abandoning it. Dogs have a long lifespan, and there’s no guarantee that they won’t become ugly or disabled at some point. If you have a tendency to get bored with things quickly and judge dogs by their appearance, I would advise you not to get one, as you may end up neglecting or even abandoning it within a short period of time. Don’t do something cruel!
Look at the abandoned Cocker Spaniels in public shelters and orphanages nowadays, it’s the result of a fad-driven breeding boom followed by a decline in popularity. It’s a shame that innocent dogs have to bear the consequences, while irresponsible humans continue to breed and sell the latest trendy dog breeds!
03, Do you have a financial foundation?
Having money does not necessarily mean that one will take good care of a dog, but being poor will definitely lower the quality of dog care. Dog food, vaccinations, microchip implantation, and heartworm prevention medication are all basic expenses. This does not even include the grooming fees for long-haired dogs (if the owner cannot groom them themselves), treats, toys, and medical expenses for unexpected illnesses or accidents. Dogs get older and are more prone to illnesses, and without health insurance, veterinary fees are usually exorbitant. Without financial stability and a source of spare cash, how can one cope with such expenses?
Therefore, please evaluate your financial strength! If your income can only support your own living expenses, even if you are willing to cut back on your own expenses for your dog, it will be difficult for yourself, which is counterproductive. Why bother? Moreover, even if you have a solid financial foundation, you must be willing to spend money on your dog to give it a good quality of life. If you frown at the costs mentioned above, even if you have a substantial income, I would advise you not to get a dog!
4. Responsibility and patience
Can you remain steadfast in your commitment to prioritizing your dog’s well-being in all situations? By all situations, I mean: moving, getting married and having children, dealing with a dog that misbehaves, a dog with a chronic illness that is difficult to cure, a dog that is aging, etc. and finding ways to resolve these issues.
If you are both lazy and impatient, and you tend to avoid problems and give up easily on your own principles, please do not get a dog!
5. Did you obtain the consent of others?
Do you and your family members all enjoy dogs? Are you willing to tolerate the inconveniences that may come with having a dog in the household, such as puppy barking, not yet trained to use the bathroom in one place, household odors, chewing on furniture and other items, shedding during the shedding season (even short-haired dogs can shed!), allergies to respiratory system, and the belief that children and dogs cannot coexist in the same home? Especially the attitudes of elders in the family are crucial (single people should also consider the attitudes of their dating partners and future in-laws towards dogs), if the elders only grudgingly tolerate dogs, they may easily change their minds and force the dog to leave when they experience the inconveniences mentioned above, then what should the dog do?
If you are a student who rents an apartment and studies away from home, although you don’t have to worry about your family’s opinion in the short term, you still need to communicate with them about whether the dog can enter your home after graduation. When you have to serve in the military or study abroad, are your family willing to take care of and love the dog as much as you do? Therefore, if your family (parents) have no love for dogs at all, please don’t get a dog!
06, Is your living situation stable?
Are you a nomadic person who moves frequently without a permanent residence? Dogs often become anxious when they are in a new environment, and their behavior may become unpredictable. This could become a reason for abandoning them. Additionally, can you always rent a house or apartment that allows dogs every time you move? This life filled with variables is not stable for humans, let alone the ability to properly care for a dog. If your living situation is unstable, please do not get a dog!
07, Are they raised by children?
Modern parents are often in a difficult situation, as children often have various different requests for their parents to fulfill, including various new and innovative toys. In addition, many children will beg their parents to buy a cute dog after seeing someone else’s family with a dog. Some parents may give in to their children’s persistent begging and agree to buy a dog.
When a dog is first brought home, it is fresh and interesting, and children may be fascinated by it. However, after a while, they may find it boring and the responsibilities of caring for the dog, such as feeding and walking, can be overwhelming for busy children who are studying or doing homework. In this case, the burden of caring for the dog will fall on the parents, even if they have made all sorts of agreements with their children beforehand. Parents are already exhausted from work, taking care of their children, and household chores, and if they are not dog lovers themselves, they may not have the energy or interest to take care of the dog’s health and train it to behave properly. This can lead to the dog becoming sick or developing behavioral problems, causing more trouble in the household. In such cases, the dog may be transferred to someone else or abandoned on the street or in a shelter, ending its life for no reason. So, please parents, if you are not planning to keep a dog yourself, don’t get one just because your child wants one. Dogs are living beings, not toys!
8. Have you done your homework?
Before getting a dog, please do your research. There is plenty of information available online and in bookstores about dog care. Raising a dog is like raising a baby, from healthcare to behavioral training, there is a lot to learn. If you prefer purebred dogs, it is especially important to research the genetic diseases and personality traits of the breed to make sure they fit within your tolerance level. Do not bring a dog home on a whim without fully understanding the implications. You may end up regretting your decision, and the innocent dog will suffer.
9. Is accommodation allowed?
For dog lovers who live in high-rise buildings, you must first find out if the building management has a ban on keeping pets. Renters must obtain their landlord’s approval before starting to prepare to keep a dog. Don’t try to keep a dog secretly, as it will inevitably be discovered eventually, and you and your dog will be forced to separate, with the innocent dog being the unfortunate victim again! Therefore, don’t keep a dog without obtaining permission from the community or your landlord.