So you want to get a dog? Part One.

So you want to get a dog? Well, there are several things to consider before going and picking out your perfect little companion. First and foremost is your lifestyle. Do you have time for a dog? Do you travel or are you gone a lot? Next, there are 2 main factors you want to think about. These are what kind of lifestyle you have and personality type. Are you more of an active person or are you more low key? This will help you decide what type of breed will best suit you. It is extremely important that your dog fits your lifestyle otherwise neither one of you will be happy. There are some breeds that require an immense amount of activity such as running, hiking, swimming, etc. There are also some breeds that are just lazy and want to cuddle most of the time. And, there are some breeds that are kind of in between. Doing research in this area will help you narrow it down. When it comes to personality, you can also do a lot of research on breeds. You don’t need to buy all the self help books because that can get overwhelming. Sometimes just a simple Google search will do the trick. After you figure out what kind of breed/personality will suit you best, then you need to figure out where you will find your furry friend. Finances and beliefs play a huge role in this part. If you go through a breeder, you will obviously pay quite a bit more. Also, you will be getting a puppy that was deliberately bred into this world. A puppy requires more off the bat training and discipline. Puppies also require adult supervision because they are prone to getting into everything. The other option is a humane society/animal shelter. This will cost you significantly less money. A rescue dog is more than likely not going to be a puppy nor will it be a purebred. Picking out a rescue dog can be very difficult. Some studies have shown that rescue dogs do not show their true personality until at least a year of living with their new owner. They also may have triggers from their past that we are unaware of. It is important to take these things into account. When I first decided that I wanted a dog, I searched for 3 months for the right dog. I had one on one time with 2 different dogs during this time. This helped me determine that those dogs were not quite the right one for me. When I finally found Trooper and brought him home, he was extremely passive and throughout time he was showing different odd triggers. He didn’t like being in the kitchen and he did not like ambulance sirens. Eventually he was able to become comfortable and now he is not phased by either of those things. The next thing when getting a dog you need to think about is establishing house rules. Will they be allowed on the furniture? Only in certain areas of the house? Sleep in your bed? I had no rules when I got Trooper, and now I share my bed with three dogs. So you just have to figure out what works best for your situation. After you have decided where you are going to get your new furry friend from, there are a few steps to take when bringing your pup home. And just like on the season finale where they lead you up to the good part right when the show is about to end and you see those 3 dreadful words pop up on the screen. To. Be. Continued.

And for now,

Xoxo