Choosing to get a Dog is a decision that should be taken as seriously as the choice to have children. They are a living being that rely on you to take care of them, and if you’re not willing to do the task properly then that’s not fair on the dog. If you’re unsure on what having a dog entails and you’re thinking about getting one, take a read through this guide on what you will need to do to ensure that you have a happy and healthy dog.

Walkies!

No matter what size or breed, dogs need plenty of walking to keep their joints moving and strengthen their muscles. Very much alike humans, dogs need to keep their fitness levels up. The recommended amount is at least fifteen minutes, twice a day. Although, much larger dogs require more exercise, so it’s always best to do some research to see how much exercise your breed of dog should be having. Doing this allows them to run off their energy and take some much needed toilet breaks!

This also allows your dog to explore the world and find new smells. It’s also a great opportunity for them to meet other dogs. Again like humans, dogs need friends sometimes too.

If you’re unable to commit to taking your dog out for the minimum recommended time for their breed, consider hiring a dog walker otherwise your beloved pet will not only become lonely, but will likely gain weight and become unhealthy.

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Toilet time

Very much like babies, dogs require you to clean up their toilet break messes. Unfortunately, dogs will need this treatment for the entirety of their lives. If cleaning up after your dog isn’t something you can see yourself doing, then they’re not the pet for you.

If you’re caught leaving your dogs mess in public, you risk the chance of being fined along with the unpleasantness for someone else stepping in it.

In short, if you want a dog, be prepared to pick up it’s mess.

Veterinary care

Dogs become ill sometimes, just like we do. The downside of this is the costs that these illnesses sometimes entail. It’s likely that at some point in their lives you will have to take them to an animal health center to check out why your dog doesn’t seem like himself.

Another reason to be visiting the vets with your dog is for treatments like neutering. Although this may seem unfair for your dog, if you know that if your dog ended up getting pregnant that you couldn’t keep their puppies, then this is a wise decision for your dog’s benefit too. You may even choose to do this because even if you wanted to keep her pups, you couldn’t commit to them all.

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Behaviour

Dogs need rules and structures to ensure that they become a friendly dog. Too many dogs in the world aren’t given restrictions and end up becoming a mischievous dog. Be careful not to ‘over discipline’ your dog, because it may turn your dog into an unfriendly pet to be around. Hitting your dog is always a big no, to train your dog you must do this with treats and praise for when they do something good, and a stern voice for if not.

Dogs are not naturally a nasty creature, but sometimes we forget that they have descended from the wolf, so discipline is important. If you don’t have time to do this, consider taking your dog to puppy training.

Love

All dogs crave love and attention. They are among the most loyal creatures on earth, and all they want to do is spend time with you.

Even though we all have work to be doing and other errands in our daily lives, ensuring that you’re showing your dog as much love as possible is important. We wouldn’t have a child to leave them at home all day alone now, would we? Everything we would do for our children should be considered when thinking about getting a dog.

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Ultimately, having a dog is something that many people in this world take for granted. You should treat your dog (not just dogs, all pets too) as a member of the family. They deserve to eat healthily, stay clean and warm, and receive the attention and love that they deserve. If you can give all of this to a dog, then they’re a perfect choice of pet for you.