| People get dogs for a variety of reasons: | | | | toys and accessories and veterinary care should |
| companionship, guarding purposes, hunting, service | | | | your dog get sick. Even if your dog never gets |
| purposes and all over the world people are | | | | sick in his life you will still need to take him for |
| becoming dog owners for the first time in their | | | | veterinary checkups and vaccinations and these |
| lives. Humane shelters and adoption agencies are | | | | things are not cheap. |
| overflowing with abandoned dogs and before you | | | | If you're a very busy person with barely any free |
| are tempted to take a dog home there are many | | | | time you should not get a dog. Dogs are social |
| things that you should consider. | | | | animals that need time and companionship; they |
| Few things can tug at our hearts as much as the | | | | don't do well if left alone for long periods of time. |
| soft eyes of an abandoned dog or puppy and the | | | | Dogs left to their own devices can and do |
| thought of all the unconditional love canine | | | | develop behavioral issues such as destructive |
| companions have to offer can often make us | | | | chewing and aggression. |
| make spontaneous decisions without allowing us | | | | Should I Get a Dog For the Children? |
| to think realistically. Many people who take dogs | | | | If you have a baby or a toddler in the house, you |
| home without thinking it through properly may | | | | should postpone getting a dog. Young children and |
| find themselves unable to care for the dog and | | | | babies are enough of a handful without adding a |
| abandoning it. | | | | dog into the mix. They may also be incapable of |
| Owning a dog is a life time commitment and along | | | | interacting with a dog properly which could result |
| with the unconditional love and companionship | | | | in problems. Not all dogs are good with children |
| come a wide range of responsibilities. As a dog | | | | and not all children k now how to behave around |
| owner you are ultimately responsible for providing | | | | dogs. |
| all your dog's needs such as food, water, | | | | If your child knows the meaning of responsibility |
| attention and medical care when he needs it. Even | | | | and is around 12 years old, this may be a good |
| the most house trained of dogs can have the | | | | environment to bring a dog into. Dogs are great |
| occasional accident at home and you will have to | | | | for children in the right circumstances and they |
| be prepared to clean up after your dog when he's | | | | can teach children a lot of things as well as |
| sick or when you take him out for a walk. | | | | providing them with companionship. Adolescents in |
| Be prepared to come home after a long day's | | | | particular can benefit from owning and caring for |
| work to find your favorite shoes have been | | | | a dog as they are at an age when showing |
| chewed to a pulp or to find the carpet in shreds. | | | | affection for their parents may be considered |
| If your dog is an obsessive barker you should be | | | | "uncool" in their age group so a dog can provide |
| prepared to spend a lot of time treating the issue | | | | an emotional outlet for the child. Teenagers are |
| or you will have a lot of unhappy neighbors on | | | | usually going through a turbulent time in their |
| your case. | | | | development so they may not be consistent |
| So before you draw up those adoption papers | | | | about caring for a dog. If you want to get a dog |
| take a close look at what it really means to own | | | | for your children make sure you are prepared to |
| a dog. Here are some things you should consider | | | | take on the responsibility of caring for it if or |
| when making that final decision: | | | | when your children lose interest. Children can be |
| Should I Get a Dog? | | | | fickle so make sure you're prepared for this. |
| If you are an athletic and energetic person or you | | | | Once you've decided you can offer a dog a good |
| have such a person in your household, then yes, | | | | home for the rest of its life it's time to visit local |
| you can consider getting a dog. If your family | | | | adoption centers to choose your new dog. Try to |
| consists of busy people who are constantly glued | | | | do as much research as you can about the place |
| to the television or computer then a dog may not | | | | and the dogs available. Talk to staff and other |
| be such a good idea. Dogs need regular daily | | | | dog owners and research any dog breeds you're |
| walks, for a minimum of thirty minutes. You will | | | | interested in to discover any personalities traits or |
| also have to pick up after your dog on your | | | | diseases they are predisposed to. When it comes |
| walks. Children and teenagers eager to get a dog | | | | to doing your homework before bringing a dog |
| will bombard you with promises about how they'll | | | | into your home there is no stupid question. Don't |
| do everything it takes to look after the dog | | | | be embarrassed to ask anything you like about |
| should be taken with a pinch of salt. What | | | | dog ownership. |
| generally tends to happen after the novelty of | | | | Even if you decide you like a particular breed's |
| owning a dog wanes away is that you will be left | | | | traits, you should keep in mind that dogs are |
| with the task of caring for the dog. | | | | individuals and just because a dog belongs to a |
| Dogs are not cheap to keep and only consider | | | | particular breed known for a particular trait, |
| getting one if you are financially able to do so. | | | | doesn't necessarily mean the dog will carry this |
| You will have to be able to feed your dog a good | | | | trait. The internet is full of invaluable information |
| quality diet and there are many other costs | | | | about the many aspects of dog ownership so |
| associated with owning a dog: flea and tick | | | | take advantage of it and read as much as you |
| treatments, kennel coasts if you go on vacation, | | | | can. |