Want To Get a Dog? 9 Signs You’re Ready for the Commitment

Pet ownership has surged in popularity in recent years, and tens of millions of Americans own at least one dog. In fact, in 2021, an estimated 62 million households across the USA owned a dog of some sort, and there is nothing to suggest that this figure has gone anywhere but up since then. With so many people enjoying the company of a furry best friend, you may think it’s time to introduce a pup to your own household, but how do you know when the right time is? In this article, we are going to run through a checklist to help you determine whether or not you’re ready to introduce a dog into your home!

You’re Looking to Improve Your Health & Wellbeing

Daily walks with a dog can offer a multitude of benefits. Not only will you have a new and extremely pure relationship in your life, but you’ll also feel the positive therapeutic effects of bonding with an animal, improvements in your overall fitness, and you’ll discover calming and therapeutic connections with the outdoor world. Your mental well-being will improve, your stress will begin to ebb away, and you’ll feel better than ever. There are strong links between nature and recovery, so physical activity can help you re-center and ground yourself after a tumultuous period. Not to mention the pure and joyous relationship that you can establish with your dog. 

If you’re asking yourself ‘Am I ready to get a dog?’ then you need to be physically capable of walking them every day as a minimum. Daily exercise is crucial not only for our pets' health but for our own longevity, so having a dog can push you to get out there and be active, but you must be ready and willing to do it.

Can You Dedicate Time to a Dog

Time is something we are all short of in this modern world; there are so many commitments that take up our days in the blink of an eye, which is no good if you have a dog that can’t come with you. Leaving your dog at home on its own is fine and can even be a good thing, but if you’re looking at more than 4-5 hours at a time regularly, it may be a sign that your schedule is not ready to accommodate a dog just now. Your dog will need affection, entertainment, and plenty of exercise each and every day, so leaving it alone for long periods on a regular basis can lead to bad behavior and psychological and physical damage; in short, it’s very unfair on our four-legged companions. 

Your Finances are Secure

Owning a dog comes with plenty of expenses; there’s the dog food, toys, poo bags, leashes, treats, grooming services, sitter services, and plenty of other equipment that you need to keep your pet healthy and happy. Then there are the costs of insurance, vet appointments, emergency care, and extra funds for things like pet care when you’re away. Basically, if you struggle to keep up with your own expenses, adding a dog into the mix will undoubtedly make things a lot more difficult. The cost of owning a dog can vary from state to state, but it is estimated that you’ll spend an average of just over $1,000 per month over the course of their life; that’s no small amount. 

You Live in the Right Place for a Dog

This section does not necessarily refer to the location in which you live, although living across the road from a park is a big plus. Instead, we are talking about the actual building itself. Some apartment blocks do not allow pets, and the repercussions can be anything from fines to evictions for those breaking the rules, so it’s worth finding out what your building’s rules are. Many rental properties will also not allow certain types of pets, so again, it’s important to brush up. 

Now that you’re sure you’re allowed a dog in your situation, you need to consider the space itself. Does it have access to the outdoors? If not, you’ll be making frequent trips to the nearest grass patch or putting up with the hassle of a pee pad. Is your apartment or house very small and cramped? If so, even a medium-sized dog could cause issues. The ideal setup is to have a garden and access to walks but also to have enough space inside so that your pet can have its own area and not constantly bump into things, trip you over, and generally cause trouble. It’s not right to keep any animal cooped up for too long, so try to look at your home through the eyes of your potential dog; would they be happy with what you see?

The Long-Term Commitment

Everyone remembers the classic saying ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’, a saying that exists for a very good reason; depending on the type of dog you get, you could be looking at a commitment of between 7 and 15 years on average. That’s a pretty long time, as we’re sure you’re aware, but it’s super important to remember that you’ll be committing to walking, feeding, loving, and maintaining your dog every day for that entire period. They don’t take holidays from being dogs. Your life may change drastically, but theirs won’t; they need you every single day, so be ready. If you can’t commit to this right now, then this is one of the strongest reasons not to get a dog, but commitments change, so be patient. 

You’ve Got What It Takes to Train and Socialize Your Pup

Ensuring you’ve got the endurance to train your dog properly is an important part of dog ownership. We’ve all been in a situation where a friend or family member has an unruly dog that barks, pulls on the lead, runs off, and generally ignores everything and everyone; it’s bad for all involved. It’s in everyone’s interest to properly train your dog, and it’s actually safer for your dog if they are under your control. It takes a lot of work to train a puppy or young dog, so make sure you’re ready for it. If you’ve been asking yourself, ‘Should I get a puppy?’ then this is a particularly important question for you to consider. 

You’re Prepared for Mess and Noise

Dogs are not very good at keeping things clean; we’re talking muddy paws on furniture, dog hair everywhere, excited wees, indoor poops, chewed furniture, and the occasional vomit. They will also bark when they’re excited, happy, mad, and nervous, and you’re going to need to be prepared for all of it. If mess and chaos stress you to no end, then maybe this is not the right choice for you. 

You’re Ready for the Emotional Commitment

The bond between humans and dogs dates back thousands of years and can be a deeply meaningful part of many people’s lives. There are amazing highs and moments you will remember for the rest of your life, the bond can be extremely strong and enriching, but you must also be prepared for the other moments too. There will be times when things are tense, and your dog needs to be reprimanded properly, but losing your head and lashing out can never be a choice. Owning a dog and treating them fairly requires no small amount of emotional control. 

There is always the inevitable part of dog ownership where, at the end of their lives, our beloved dogs leave us and this can be an extraordinarily difficult thing to come to terms with. Being ready for all the emotions associated with owning a dog will make you a better pet parent from the beginning to the end.

You Have Researched and Chosen the Right Breed for You

This is another thing people make the mistake of overlooking, but it can be a crucial element in owning a dog and getting the most out of the experience. Certain breeds offer different temperaments and attitudes towards food, people, other dogs, and exercise. You can find breeds that don’t trigger allergies, don't drop hair, and are very clean, while others will shed and need help looking after themselves. The size of your dog will have a huge impact on your home life, as we already discussed; having a large dog like a labrador in a tiny apartment can be very negative, but getting a tiny dog like a chihuahua and partaking in lots of outdoor activities and sports can be a negative thing too. Research different breeds and sizes and compare your findings to your home and lifestyle. 

Paws For Thought 

So there we have it, a list of things that you should have considered thoroughly before buying your very own pup. These points take into consideration the health and happiness of both dog and human, as it’s a two-way relationship; a successful relationship needs to work for both parties equally. Be sure you’ve given each point a good deal of thought. If you can confidently agree with each one, then it may well be time to experience the joy of bonding with your very own dog. If you can’t, then maybe the time is not right, and that’s fine, too. One day soon, things might change, and you might feel differently; remember, if you really want it to happen and you’re committed to being a good dog owner, you can make it work when the time is right for you.