You may want a dog, but think – would a dog want to be with you right at this moment in your life? Wanting a dog and getting one are two very different things. Whether you choose an adult dog or a puppy, you must take into account your personal circumstances at the relevant time. There are many things to consider before welcoming a dog into your home – having the time to learn how to train a puppy or dog being one of the most important.
Get the timing right
Are you ready to get a dog? The time may not be ideal to get one if you are:
- moving house or due to go on holiday.
- busy at work and socially.
- changing jobs or facing job loss.
- in the throes of an illness.
- separating from your partner or suffering bereavement.
- expecting a new baby.
- approaching a big family celebration that will disturb your routines and increase household activity or noise levels.
There are always exceptions, and many people find comfort in their pets at times when they are suffering stress. Such owners may feel that, although they are in turmoil, their pets are not suffering because they remain fed and cared for. However, pets do feel their owners’ anxieties and can worry These anxieties may manifest in behavior such as attention-seeking or soiling around the home.
It is important that you are in a position both materially and emotionally to offer a secure and harmonious home to a new dog.
Holidays
Wait until you have been away before getting a dog, because otherwise he will suffer upheaval twice in a very short space of time – initially when you remove him from his former home, and then when you disappear and leave him in a boarding kennels or with a carer. To remain mentally and physically well, a new pet needs a good deal of time to settle in and feel secure in his new home.
Dog availability
It is sometimes not as easy to get a dog as you may imagine for several reasons:
If you want a particular breed, color or sex of dog, it may not be available and you may have to register a specific requirement with a breeder so that when an animal is available you have first choice.
Puppy availability always depends on breeding seasons.
There may not immediately be the exact type of dog you want at rescue centers.
Puppies tend to be in high demand at rescue centers and you may have to wait.
Ensure it is the right time to get a dog for all the family.
Getting the timing right is crucial for bringing a new dog into your home. Once you’ve made that move, start with these free puppy training tips to help get your new dog house trained and on the road to learning all the skills he’ll need as a new member of your home. Learning how to house train a puppy is not that hard, but does take patience and consistency.
You must log in to post a comment.