The 4 reasons you should, and shouldn't buy a dog

Getting a new dog can be one of the most rewarding adventures you can have. But too often we see what should be a happy experience turn bad because people simply don't take the time to figure out what dog would be best for them and their situation.

Barkpedia was created to provide the info necessary for new and existing pet owners to share and learn what they need to know to have the best dog-owning experience and give the quality of life that every dog deserves.

There are over 5,500 dogs put down in shelter every day, and so many can be prevented if you simply take an inventory of your life and understand what breed of dog will fit well with your lifestyle before you buy or adopt a dog.

Let's look at the 4 reasons why you should and 4 reasons shouldn't bring a dog into your life.

4 Reason to not get a dog

• Life-changing event
• You can't afford it
• You are not home enough
• Allergies

4 Reason to get a dog

• Emotional Support
• Protection
• Improve your health
• Benefit your kids

4 Reason to not get a dog

Life-Changing Event

A few examples of a life-changing event are getting married, having a new baby, or moving to a new home. The truth is that dogs, especially new dogs are a lot of work and will require a lot of your time.

Major life changes almost always mean your new dog will be taking a backseat in your life and the dog will not be getting the training it needs to behave and be a responsible pet. To put that in perspective Zak George, renowned dog trainer says that 96% of dogs relinquished to shelters receive zero formal training.

Before getting a dog do any inventory of your life and decide you can give the time that a new dog will need to develop and learn properly from a committed owner.

You can't afford it

Dogs are expensive. We aren't just talking about being expensive to buy or adopt. There are many things you need to consider: Food, leash, collar, dog bowl, toys, bed, crate, insurance, and vet fees.

The initial costs of getting a dog can be upwards of $1700. Dogs can live anywhere between 8-16+ years and the average cost of a pet is $1100+ per year. That does not take into account emergency vet costs.

Dr. Louise Murray, vice-president of the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, in New York City, said that “owners will likely incur at least one $2,000 – $4,000 bill for emergency care at some point during their pet’s lifetime”. I hope you have that kind of cash on hand at any given point.

Taking all of this into account means that you could be spending over $21,000 over the life of your dog, are you ready for that?

You are not home enough

Dogs need attention and love, they also need mental and physical exercise. If you plan on leaving a dog at home alone for more than 8 hours a day while you go to work they aren't the pet for you, you might consider a fish.

There has been a large increase in the availability of dog walkers and dog boarding services, but if you plan on boarding your dog for 20+ days a month you are not a responsible dog owner.

Unless you have a partner at home to be with the dog on a day to day basis don't get one. Dogs are not a fashion accessory to use whenever it is convenient for you.

Allergies

Most people don't know they are allergic to dogs until it is too late, and it may not even be the dog that is causing the reactions. Dogs can be carriers for dust and pollen from outside and going places and walking through things their owners normally don't.

We recommend a trip to a doctor to be tested for allergies before committing to a new dog. There are breeds that can cause minimal allergic reactions and there are treatments that can minimize your reactions. Do your research and if you have any doubts about getting a dog, don't.

4 Reason to get a dog

Emotional Support

Dogs give unconditional love to their owners. They can be prescribed by doctors as a service animal to help with things like anxiety, depression, and anger. Dogs have been shown to make us laugh more, give us more purpose, boost our self-esteem, and make us feel happier all around.

Dog ownership can also give you a sense of responsibility. Having something that loves you as much as a dog does and knowing that it depends on you bring a great feeling of fulfillment.

If you are needing any improvement in your emotional well-being, getting a dog might be a great option.

Protection

Dogs are called "Man's Best Friend" because of their loyalty and willingness to protect their owners even at the cost of their own health and safety. A dog becomes part of your family, but you may not know that you have become part of their pack as well.

Robbers are less likely to enter a home with a dog due to the warnings from the barking and high likelihood of being attacked.

Dogs not only protect you from external harm they can protect you from things you may not be aware of. Dogs can be trained as early detection systems for people who suffer from seizures as well as harmful allergens in your home.

Improve your health

Dog owners are more physically active than people without dogs. Dogs require exercise just as much as we do and they will always be there to remind you that it is time to go outside. The American Heart Association says that spending 150 minutes of exercise per week lowers your risk of heart disease.

Dogs also help build a strong immune system. People who live around dogs are less prone to allergies and asthma. Dogs bring around different germs and bacteria that our bodies would not normally be exposed to and in turn give us a chance to build our immune systems.

Benefit your kids

Dogs are some of the best teachers and they never have to say a word or send a child to time out. Some of the things having a dog will teach your kids are:

• Selflessness - Having a dog teaches a child that things aren't all about them.
• Confidence - A playful dog will help a child break out of their shell.
• Social Skills - Dogs help kids make friends and become more extroverted.
• Speech Skills - Kids want to give basic commands and phrases.
• Decision Making - Caring for a dog means you have to make quick decisions on the fly every day.
• Responsibility - Kids learn quickly that another living thing is depending on them

We hope you will take the time to understand what bringing a dog into your home means and the commitment you will have to make. We hope you will also find that the pros of having a dog vastly out-weigh the cons.

Go to Barkpedia and learn more about the breed that will bring the most benefits into your life.