How to Evaluate Your Reasons for Wanting a Dog
Consider if you want a dog for companionship., Determine if you want a working dog., Think about whether you want a dog to exercise with., Establish whether or not you want a dog for your children., Evaluate if a dog might be a good fit for other...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Consider if you want a dog for companionship.
Dogs can be great companions for adults, children, and other animals, but some dogs may not be as social as others.Think about how a dog might fit into your life and what type of companion you might want.
Dogs can be very cuddly, but keep in mind that not all dogs may love to snuggle.
If you are retired, work from home, or live by yourself, a dog can provide excitement and activity.
Remember that a dog needs companionship too.
If you work long hours, travel frequently, or are otherwise unable to care for the dog during the day, you may not want to adopt a dog. -
Step 2: Determine if you want a working dog.
Think about whether or not you need a dog to perform certain tasks or to assist around the home.
Dogs can provide therapeutic aid, round up livestock, or guard the home.
If you think that a dog can help you, you may want to consider whether or not adopting a work dog is right for you.
If you have livestock, you may want a guard dog to protect the animals from predators.
Some dogs, such as Australian Cattle Dogs or Border Collies, can be trained to herd animals as well.
Dogs can be used to guard your home.
Just having a dog in the house is enough to scare away potential intruders.If you are looking for a guide or therapy dog, you may be limited to certain breeds, such as a Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, or Golden Retriever.These dogs will require training to effectively work and care for you. , Dogs require plenty of exercise, and they can help keep you active.
You might want a dog to help keep you active or to join you during outdoor activities.Some great activities you can do with dogs include:
Running Hiking Swimming Playing games like tug-of-war or fetch , If you have children, you can use the dog to help teach them about responsibility.
Your children may learn about caring for an animal as they feed, wash, and train the dog.Do not adopt a dog thinking that it will stop fighting or resolve relationship problems in a tense situation.
A dog may only add stress to the situation. , If you have other pets already, a new dog in the house may be a good addition, giving them a lifelong companion that they can play with when the humans are away.
That said, some cats and dogs may not be comfortable with a new animal in the house.
Consider how your current pets might feel about having a new dog in the house.
Many people will adopt a dog to provide an older dog with companionship.
This is a good idea if you want to keep the older dog alert and active.If your current pet has demonstrated aggression towards dogs in the past, adopting a dog as a companion may not be a good idea.
If your current dog has a high prey drive, you may not want to adopt a smaller dog. , It is generally not a good idea to give a dog as a gift to someone unless you have discussed with them beforehand their willingness and ability to care for the dog.
While you might think it is a great gift, remember that dogs can be expensive and they require quite a bit of time and energy.
The recipient may not want a dog, and giving them an unwanted pet puts them in a difficult decision if they cannot appropriately care for one., Dogs are living creatures, and you should not buy a dog to impress or scare other people.
Furthermore, be cautious when adopting a purebred dog.
While some purebred dogs are often chosen for their physical appearance, these dogs may be severely inbred, leading to respiratory and hip problems.While some small dogs may be comfortable being carried in a purse, others might be anxious or scared by the experience.
Certain breeds such as pit bulls or rottweilers are often used to intimidate or scare people.
While these dogs are effective guard dogs, they should not be trained to be aggressive or to attack people. -
Step 3: Think about whether you want a dog to exercise with.
-
Step 4: Establish whether or not you want a dog for your children.
-
Step 5: Evaluate if a dog might be a good fit for other pets.
-
Step 6: Avoid giving dogs as gifts.
-
Step 7: Be wary of adopting a dog to make a statement.
Detailed Guide
Dogs can be great companions for adults, children, and other animals, but some dogs may not be as social as others.Think about how a dog might fit into your life and what type of companion you might want.
Dogs can be very cuddly, but keep in mind that not all dogs may love to snuggle.
If you are retired, work from home, or live by yourself, a dog can provide excitement and activity.
Remember that a dog needs companionship too.
If you work long hours, travel frequently, or are otherwise unable to care for the dog during the day, you may not want to adopt a dog.
Think about whether or not you need a dog to perform certain tasks or to assist around the home.
Dogs can provide therapeutic aid, round up livestock, or guard the home.
If you think that a dog can help you, you may want to consider whether or not adopting a work dog is right for you.
If you have livestock, you may want a guard dog to protect the animals from predators.
Some dogs, such as Australian Cattle Dogs or Border Collies, can be trained to herd animals as well.
Dogs can be used to guard your home.
Just having a dog in the house is enough to scare away potential intruders.If you are looking for a guide or therapy dog, you may be limited to certain breeds, such as a Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, or Golden Retriever.These dogs will require training to effectively work and care for you. , Dogs require plenty of exercise, and they can help keep you active.
You might want a dog to help keep you active or to join you during outdoor activities.Some great activities you can do with dogs include:
Running Hiking Swimming Playing games like tug-of-war or fetch , If you have children, you can use the dog to help teach them about responsibility.
Your children may learn about caring for an animal as they feed, wash, and train the dog.Do not adopt a dog thinking that it will stop fighting or resolve relationship problems in a tense situation.
A dog may only add stress to the situation. , If you have other pets already, a new dog in the house may be a good addition, giving them a lifelong companion that they can play with when the humans are away.
That said, some cats and dogs may not be comfortable with a new animal in the house.
Consider how your current pets might feel about having a new dog in the house.
Many people will adopt a dog to provide an older dog with companionship.
This is a good idea if you want to keep the older dog alert and active.If your current pet has demonstrated aggression towards dogs in the past, adopting a dog as a companion may not be a good idea.
If your current dog has a high prey drive, you may not want to adopt a smaller dog. , It is generally not a good idea to give a dog as a gift to someone unless you have discussed with them beforehand their willingness and ability to care for the dog.
While you might think it is a great gift, remember that dogs can be expensive and they require quite a bit of time and energy.
The recipient may not want a dog, and giving them an unwanted pet puts them in a difficult decision if they cannot appropriately care for one., Dogs are living creatures, and you should not buy a dog to impress or scare other people.
Furthermore, be cautious when adopting a purebred dog.
While some purebred dogs are often chosen for their physical appearance, these dogs may be severely inbred, leading to respiratory and hip problems.While some small dogs may be comfortable being carried in a purse, others might be anxious or scared by the experience.
Certain breeds such as pit bulls or rottweilers are often used to intimidate or scare people.
While these dogs are effective guard dogs, they should not be trained to be aggressive or to attack people.
About the Author
Barbara Hill
Enthusiastic about teaching organization techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: