When you’ve made up your mind to find a new furry canine friend, there are many things that you should consider. I will be making a series of posts about aspects to consider when selecting a new buddy.

Your Household

Always make sure that everyone in the household is happy to be getting a pet. Everyone will need to take on some level of responsibility, even if it is as simple as following your training instructions or letting the dog out if it needs to do its important business.

Take into account the personal preferences of everyone in the household. Does anybody have allergies? Do younger members know how to respectfully handle an animal?

Also consider small children or seniors in the household; for safety reasons, a small dog might not be the best idea in a house with an elderly person, as they can get underfoot more easily. It will depend on the individual dog, as some can be quite respectful and even helpful. In this situation, an older or rescued dog may be a good choice, as all members of the household can meet the dog and see how they behave.

Likewise, a rambunctious large-breed puppy may not be the best choice in a home with a toddler; but some get on like a house on fire and roughhouse for hours. Just remember never to leave a child and a pet together unsupervised, for the safety of both kid and pup.

You should also consider any other pets in the household. For example, a flighty, prey-driven terrier may not do so well in a house with a timid housecat. There have also been far too many sad instances of pet bunnies and guinea pigs meeting their end through insecure housing and dogs following their instincts. Our recommendation is to prevent your dogs having any access to a small pet’s housing at all.

Some people try to figure out where to put their dog after they bring him home, which is a bit of a backwards approach! There are several things to consider, such as where the dog will sleep, where it will stay during the day, whether you have a fenced in garden, if you have stairs (difficult for tiny and giant breeds), and so on.

If you don’t have a securely fenced garden, remember that you’ll need to take your dog out at least three or four times daily to do his important business. There are carers who will visit your house and take your dog for a walk during the day if you’re gone for long periods, or perhaps consider doggy daycare if this is affordable for you. Alternatively, consider paying a teenager in the area to walk your dog. Many kids who can’t have pets of their own will be excited to do this, and for a reasonable price too.

Having your dog sleep inside can be a key element in keeping him content, even if you are away from home during the day. He’ll be glad for the companionship, and will enjoy spending time with his family. While he might be fine in the weather outside, most dogs will prefer to be with you.

Do consider an exercise pen or crate (lockable kennel) if you’re concerned about the dog getting into mischief; they can be a valuable training tool when you’re away from home and overnight. Most dogs will come to think of them like their den, and are glad to relax in their kennel when they need a break.

Also consider whether you are in a rental property or your own home. If in a rental, always ensure that you get your landlord’s permission before getting your heart set on a dog. There are far too many pets rehomed every week because their owners didn’t check with their landlords. Also consider the length of your lease; if you have to move, where will the dog go? Remember that you’re making a promise to this dog, to bring him into your family, and it would be heartless to leave him if you’re unable to find a new pet-friendly place.

When you’ve made up your mind to find a new furry canine friend, there are many things that you should consider. I will be making a series of posts about aspects to consider when selecting a new buddy.

Your Lifestyle

Your dog’s age isn’t just the only thing you should consider. You should think about your age too! I mean your life stage, more so than the number on your birth certificate. Are you a student, or perhaps a full-time worker? Do you plan to retire soon? Have you exhausted your travelling legs, or are you going to be a ‘grey nomad’?

A dog is a companion, not just a piece of property. They rely on you for their welfare and their happiness, and so you should consider how your chosen dog is going to fit into your life before making the leap of bringing him home.

If you’re a student, you might have heaps of time for your pet in between exams and parties! But you’ll (hopefully!) graduate in a few years, and so you should have a plan in place for your dog. It can be better to wait until you’re in a career, so that you know how many hours you’ll have to devote to a pet after work, and don’t get overwhelmed.

By the same token, if you’re a full-time worker, you’re probably in a pretty stable position. But will you want to pick up and take off overseas with your hard-earned cash? Are you planning to start a family or live alone for a while? These things don’t mean you shouldn’t have a pet, but the pet will have to form part of your planning.

Maybe you plan to retire soon, or be a stay-at-home parent, in which case, lucky you! You’ll have a lot of time to spend with your new pal.

The most important thing, in my opinion, is to make time to do something with your dog every day. If you have a young, energetic dog, this might mean an hour or two at the park every single day. As a busy business person, this might be impossible to work into your schedule. On the other hand, it may end up being a welcome relief at the end of the day, to relax and throw a ball around.

Young mums often become overwhelmed when trying to look after their new bundle of joy, as well as existing pets. Some relish the challenge of raising two babies at once, and take on a puppy too! Many older dogs could be happy with a short stroll with you and the pram, then spend the rest of the day keeping an eye on things from the couch.

In many cases, you should consider not “Should I get a dog?” but “What kind of dog should I get?” The beauty of the domestic dog is that there is practically a breed for every lifestyle. Do your research, and you have a great chance of finding a dog to fit your life like a glove.

When you’ve made up your mind to find a new furry canine friend, there are many things that you should consider. I will be making a series of posts about aspects to consider when selecting a new buddy.

The Dog’s Age

The age of your potential pet should be one of the most important factors in your decision. For many people, raising a puppy can be extremely time-consuming and expensive; you are raising a dog from scratch, and teaching it the skills it needs to survive in the human world! It needs vaccinations and desexing, plenty of toys, lots of training and as much socialisation as possible.

Because they are so small, they need to use the bathroom more often. A general rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold its bladder for 1 hour per month of age,to a maximum of around 8 hours. For this reason, being able to come home at lunchtime or having someone check in on the puppy is essential for full-time workers.

For folks who work from home, can bring the dog to work, or are homemakers, raising a puppy can fit in with your daily routine. Others may need to consider how to keep the puppy safe while they’re out, and set aside time each day for training and socialisation.

If you consider a slightly older dog, your best bet is a rescued one. Any reputable rescue will worm, vaccinate and desex so that all the work is done for you, and included in the adoption price of your new pooch. Many rescue dogs will have been fostered prior to being put up for adoption, and so the rescue will have an idea of their temperament and exercise requirements.

Alternatively, the dog may be coming from a pound environment; often, a standardised temperament test will be performed. This will assess how the dog performs in various situations. Any animal can behave unpredictably, but a temperament test gives a general idea of the dog’s personality.

A dog in the early stages of adulthood (1-2 years in most breeds) will still have the endless puppy playfulness that you can expect, but is probably going to be set in its personality, so you know what sort of dog you’ll end up with. It may already be housetrained, and could even have some basic obedience training. Even a dog of middling age (3-4 years and up) will be energetic and playful, and is certainly not on death’s door! They can be the best choice for families or first-time dog owners because you know the type of dog you’re getting.

For the special people who are after companionship more than anything, you may wish to consider bringing a senior dog into your life. Again, they will have a personality, and will probably still have that pep in their step for a walk or run! The advantage is that they will require less exercise than a younger dog. They are great for families with younger children who might be knocked over by a rambunctious puppy, people with disabilities, and also for mature folk who may not be able to keep up with a pup. Unfortunately, an older dog may be more likely to come with or develop some health problems, but this is something that varies on an individual basis.