When Should I Get a Dog
A dog is a loyal, loving and playful companion. Dogs are known to have a positive impact on people’s moods, health and overall happiness. But before you get a dog, it is important to consider your lifestyle and the responsibilities that come with owning one.
The first question you need to ask yourself is whether or not you can commit to caring for a pet for the next 10 years or more? If you cannot, then it might be best to wait until you are in a more stable place in your life. If so, then there are many things that need to be considered when choosing the right type of dog for your family.
What is the best age for a person to get a dog?
According to her research, 5 years old is the magic number. The problem with that enticingly simple rule is that there are plenty of 5-year-olds who are nowhere near ready to share a household safely with a dog – and plenty of 2-year-olds who are.[1]
How do you decide when to get a dog?
Make sure everyone at home is on board. Calculate potential costs. Think about the dog’s age (puppy vs. Pick a pooch based on your way of life, not looks. Consider the lifetime commitment. Weigh the pros and cons of a purebred dog versus a mixed breed.[2]
What time is the best time to get a dog?
Autumn. If you’re busiest in the spring and summer or if you prefer to be outside during cooler months, fall might be the best time of year for you to adopt a dog. As the weather turns colder, there’s nothing better than walking through crunchy leaves while watching wild critters prepare to hunker down for the winter.[3]
Should you have a dog or baby first?
If you’re more than a few months pregnant or have a baby or a toddler, wait until your child is 3 or older before bringing a new dog or cat home. Adopting a pet is a big commitment of time and resources, and the added responsibility can be hard for new parents.[4]
Is getting a puppy like having a baby?
As challenging as a puppy can be, let’s face it; having a new pup is nothing like the life-altering event known as parenthood. Observe a snow globe at rest. That’s your life pre-baby.[5]
Is having a dog worth it?
Your canine companion can offer comfort and ease your worries. Multiple studies show that dogs and therapy dogs help alleviate stress and anxiety. Even just petting a familiar dog lowers blood pressure, heart rate, slows breathing, and relaxes muscle tension.[6]
What are the disadvantages of having a dog?
Financial burden. Before investing in a loving addition to your family, it is important to consider the cost of this investment. Loss of spontaneity. Perhaps you are used to living a life in which you are free to come and go as you please. Decreased cleanliness and order in your home.[7]
Can I keep a dog if I work full time?
Dogs shouldn’t really be kept inside for more than eight hours a day, and some can’t be in alone for that long. This is especially true if they are puppies who aren’t totally trained yet. You might need to hire a dog walker or someone who can come by and let them out and feed them.[8]
How long can you leave dogs alone for?
How long can you leave a dog alone? Each individual pup will vary, but the general rule is to only leave adult dogs alone for four consecutive hours. Dogs are social animals, often craving regular human attention and, without it, they become bored and lonely.[9]
Do I have enough time for a dog?
That said, for a general guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis, which can be broken up into chunks of time over the course of the day.[10]
Is it harder to have a dog or a baby?
Here’s the thing, though — when it comes to raising cute, helpless and needy creatures, raising a puppy is way harder than raising a baby.[11]
Does having a dog prepare you for kids?
A family dog can do more than prepare young couples for the responsibility of parenthood. According to a study conducted at the University at Buffalo, couples with pets tend to be happier with their relationship than those without companion animals such as dogs are.[12]
