Be Prepared For These Things Before You Become A Dog Owner

If you’re thinking of getting a dog, there are a few things you should be prepared for, first. Sure, you should be prepared or plenty of love and companionship, but if you’re not prepared for the following, then you probably shouldn't get a dog.

Accidents In The House

A puppy is always going to have a few accidents in the house, no matter how young you begin to potty train them. The fact is, they can't hold it for very long, so if you go out and leave them for more than an hour, don’t be surprised if you find mess somewhere in the house. You shouldn’t tell a puppy off for this. You wouldn’t tell a baby off! Make sure you use proper methods for toilet training a dog - don’t ever rub their nose in it. This isn’t a way to make them loyal and happy, it’s a way to make them fearful and anxious. A lot of the time, them having an accident will be down to you not paying attention or leaving the house for too long.

Having Things Eaten If You Leave Them Out

You should put everything that you don’t want chewed to bits away before you bring a puppy home. Even your shoes. They will likely chew everything they can get their teeth into at the beginning, so be prepared for this. Make sure you have something on hand that they are actually allowed to chew, like a toy. Bear in mind that some foods are highly toxic to them, including avocado, grapes, chocolate, garlic, and onions. Leaving fabric softener sheets, antifreeze, and mothballs out will also be very dangerous.

Spending A Fortune At The Vets

You haven’t just got to worry about the initial cost of a dog. You need to think about ongoing vet bills, vaccinations, emergency treatment, check ups, and more. A dog is a huge monetary commitment and you must be prepared for this.

Needy Dogs

Different dogs have different personalities. You can do as much research as you like on the breed of a dog, but the fact is, two dogs from the same breed can have totally different personalities. Some dogs may be needier than others, and get separation anxiety. If this is the case, you could consider looking at dog carriers so you can go on more adventures together. Some dogs may even prefer being left alone more of the time.

Training Your Dog As Early On As Possible

Training your dog early on is a must if you want to establish yourself as the ‘pack leader’. Your dog can’t be happy if they don’t know who the leader is, and if you don't make it clear, they might try to assume the position - this can lead to confusion and bad behavior which can be difficult to get out of.

Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

Senior dogs often have expensive, painful tooth and gum issues. Brushing your dog’s teeth as early on as you can might seem strange, but it’ll save you both money and pain in the long run. In some cases, gum disease in dogs can be fatal.