Congratulations on deciding to bring a new family member into your family…. Choosing a pet is a big decision, and it’s important to make a choice that suits your family, your home, and your lifestyle and environment.

As well as being an exciting step, owning a pet is a big responsibility. You may be choosing a pet to introduce the idea of responsibility to your children, for companionship, or purely for the joy of having an animal to love and care for. The most important thing to think about when choosing a new pet is the level of care the animal will need, and the amount of time you have to take care of them.

“The most important thing to think about when choosing a new pet is the level of care they’ll need, and the amount of time you have to take care of them.”
To help you choose the right pet for you and your family, start by asking yourself:

• How much care and attention will my new pet need?
• How much exercise will it need?
• How much will my new pet cost to look after?
• Will it take up much space in my home?
• What is the expected lifespan of this animal?
• Does it need any special equipment?
• What’s involved in grooming, and how often does it need to be groomed?
• What sort of food will my new pet eat?
• Will it live inside my home or in the garden?
• Will you be able to live with pet hair all over, occasional wear and tear?
• Do you have someone who can be a secondary caregiver if you are away from home? If not, how will you provide care for your pet when you travel?

Choosing a new pet is a long-term commitment, so always do your research before welcoming a new addition to your family – and never impulse buy.

If you’ve decided on a dog, chances are you’ve already chosen the breed of dog you want. Different breeds of dogs have vastly different needs and personalities, so it’s important that you choose a dog that suits your lifestyle.

Read everything you can on your chosen breed’s temperament, expected lifespan, the amount of exercise they need, and any health issues the breed may be prone to, to be sure you’re making the right choice before you buy.

BRINGING UP PUPPIES. We all love and adore puppies ...cuddle them, hold them, hug and kiss them, play with them, but as sweet as they look they can make a lot of mess when they are young and grow up to be huge hungry hounds that need a lot of exercises, care, and attention.

So before bringing a pup into your family it’s important to educate the family and kids and think rationally. Questions like, can you really commit to caring for your pet for the next 14 or more years? Do you have ample space in your home? Are you ready for early morning and evening walks? Are you ready to clean up the poop? etc, answers that will go a long way to build up a strong and healthy relationship with your pet.

THE RIGHT BREED
It’s absolutely important to research; consult other pet owners, experts about the breed which would suit your family best. For eg, kid-friendly, family dogs like Labradors, golden retrievers, husky, beagles, Watchdogs like Rottweiler’s, Alsatians, Dobberman, Small breeds like dachshunds, pugs, poms, etc. The choice is varied hence all pros and cons should be considered. Sharing your life with an animal has great benefits and can bring great joy, and satisfaction.

Dogs are very social creatures; they aren’t happy left outside or chained up in the yard alone all the time. If you are thinking about getting a dog, make sure you’re going to be able to spend several hours a day with him or her.

Adopting a puppy is a huge commitment since you cannot leave a puppy home alone all day. Most puppies need to eliminate every two hours or so. Also, in order to co-exist happily with humans, puppies must be taught house-training skills and basic cues such as “sit,” “stay” and “come.” If puppies are not handled often and socialized when young, they will become shy and fearful.

All dogs should have at least one walk a day outside their home turf, but some dogs need much more. Keep in mind that not all small dogs are less active and not all large dogs need a great deal of exercise. You’ll want to learn more about the traits of the dog you’re thinking about getting, even if he or she is a mixed breed, to see if you are compatible.

Dogs need quite a bit of interaction with their humans in order to be happy. If you’re very busy and spend little time at home, a dog might not be a suitable pet for you, unless you can bring your dog along when you’re away from home. You’ll also need to spend some time training your dog to respond to basic cues.
Make sure you have enough money to have a dog. Costs associated with dog care include food, toys, leashes, a crate, training, grooming, spay/neuter surgery, routine vet care, and, sometimes, emergency vet care.

Whatever dog you choose, keep in mind that you are making a long-term commitment, since dogs live 10 years or more. Your dog will need attention, love, and respect from you: food and water are not enough. Dogs need to be part of the family. Lastly and most importantly remember a pet is a lifetime commitment and not a fancy, toy, or throwaway..they not only come into our lives and become a part of our family but they bring in joy, love, happiness, and a spring in our life.