Being a responsible dog owner
Before deciding to buy a dog, you should really think about what it means to be a responsible dog owner. Owning a dog is a big commitment and should be thought of as such – which means seeing past the cute face of a puppy and carefully considering what you are taking on when you buy a dog.
The average dog could live between ten and fifteen years, so this is a big commitment in terms of changing your life for the foreseeable future. Your dog will need your time and lots of your attention, so it could mean a real lifestyle and routine change. Additionally, think about the costs involved in keeping a dog. You may have saved the money to buy the breed of puppy that you want but the cost commitment will extend into vet’s fees, food and insurance over the coming years.
This is why it can be a big mistake to buy a dog as a present, at a birthday or Christmas time for instance, as the excitement of the event and the dog as a present can soon wear off when the reality of caring for a pet sets in.
This is not to say that you should not consider a dog as a pet. Treated right, a dog will become a very loyal and loving companion for you and your family. However, just make sure that you have researched and considered all eventualities involved in owning a dog before making that final decision.
