What you Absolutely Need to Know Before Adopting a Dog
There's something about the little face of a puppy... irresistible. It's so cute that it awakens a completely spontaneous and emotional side in us. Even if it means completely putting reason aside.
But once the cute moment is over, bringing a pet home is a huge responsibility. And despite the fact that all the sources say so, few people fully realize it until it is “too” late. Here's what you need to understand most seriously before welcoming a new member of the four-legged family.
What You Need To Know Before Adopting a Dog
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Without entering into the debate on the superiority of one or the other (I have a copy of both specimens at home and I like them just as much), it is certain that the responsibility of one and the other is VERY different.
Cats are much more independent, potty trained almost instantly can be left alone for long periods of time, etc.
Dogs, especially if you adopt them at a young age, don't do any of that. They require a lot more time, patience, and energy, period.
So if what you're looking for most in an animal is “a minimum of trouble,” it's pretty clear which of the two you should choose!
Unlike cats who won't take too much offense to your long work hours or active social life, dogs are very dependent beings. It will be imperative to plan to be at home at regular times and to have time to devote to them. EACH DAY. GOOD WEATHER, BAD WEATHER.
Although many dogs do, no pooch really benefits from spending 45 or more hours a week alone! And this is especially when they are young and in training, when their bladder does not allow them to hold back for 8, 9, or 10 hours of time.
If you can't, say, come home during the day to go out or walk the dog, there are services that can do that for you. As well as dog daycares, for the most sociable/energetic doggies/who find it difficult to be alone! However, these services are not given and must be added to the overall canine budget (see the corresponding section below).
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Although this will vary depending on the age, size, breed, and temperament of the dog, it is to be expected that a dog will need approximately 1 HOUR of walking/running/playing outside per day. Even when it's pouring rain. Even when it's -26.
Once clean and adolescent, a dog will need to go out to relieve himself (even without necessarily taking a walk) a minimum of 4 to 6 times a day.
Some dogs of larger and quite energetic breeds can also become good companions for your physical activities, for example jogging or hiking in the mountains. On the other hand, this training cannot usually begin before 1 year and must be done gradually. It is therefore not a “magic formula” to exhaust an overly nervous puppy!
A dog becomes an adult between 12 and 18 months. Before that, he will require… up to 20 times more time, energy, and difficulty than his compatriot aged 2 and over. Not twice, 20 times! To get through this famous first year, you have to prepare and… expect the worst. For real.
Cleanliness alone will take between several weeks and several months, at the beginning. And those weeks of constantly picking up accidents everywhere, seem particularly long and debilitating.
Potty training also includes the night: unless you have pee pads, you will probably have to take your doggie out at least once … which seems like an eternity. Some puppies are still not potty trained at night at 6 months.
A large part of dog abandonment occurs during this first year of life, especially during the height of adolescence, that is to say between 5 and 9 months. Just like humans, the dog during this period may have completely disconcerting behaviors, which call into question what we thought we knew about him. For example, but not only:
- Having a regression in cleanliness
- Don't listen like before
- Unresponsive to basic commands
- Willfully challenging your authority
- Eating your needs (or those of the cat!)
- Running away when he's never shown that will before
- Begin to bark furiously at passers-by, neighbors, or other dogs
- Chew EVERYTHING in the house (shoes, cushions, cabinets, walls, stair railing, mosquito nets, furniture, carpets, sofas, etc.)
- Make insane impulsive gestures, for example throwing yourself in front of a bus!
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One hour of walking does not correspond to the total time of activity, interaction and stimulation that a dog needs. And then it's an average: while some (especially very small and very large) dogs need little activity, some other high-energy breeds need a lot more than that!
This is among others the case of the Huskies, whose breed was developed for the endurance of the specimens as well as their ability to pull heavy sleds at full speed for a whole day! The same goes for sheepdogs, like my border collie Bowie.
This breed has been used for hundreds of years to herd sheep in Scotland over very rough terrain and in extreme weather conditions. So don't expect these frighteningly intuitive and intelligent dogs (a little too much, sometimes) to be able to make an automatic transition like apartment dogs who sleep all day!
It is therefore essential to choose a dog for its level of activity and energy, AND NOT for its physique. This is probably the #1 mistake people make: falling in love with a dog because it physically matches their dream idea.
If you are quite sedentary and very busy, it is obvious that you enjoy the experience more with a dog that is lower in the scale of energy and attention! Again, these are often very small dogs whose breed was specifically developed to keep humans company rather than a "job" at hand, e.g. Chihuahuas, Pugs, Yorkies, etc. But also very large "gentle giant" dogs such as Great Danes, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, etc. fall into this category.
Once the puppy stage is over, many popular breeds like Labradors and Bernese Mountain Dogs also become much quieter and more accommodating!
A dog is like a child; it does not educate itself. He will need to learn – and much sooner than most people think – not only the basic commands but also discipline, how to act in different situations, and socialization (with humans and dogs).
Neglecting this demanding step often only invites problems for later, unfortunately. With rewards, most dogs train well, but it takes time and consistency, every day. Even when we are tired. Even when you have a ton of other things to do. Even when you don't want to.
Dogs are ready for their first "obedience" classes from 8 or 9 weeks, in any case ideally before 16 weeks, before taking "bad folds".
This is another thing that we do not realize right away, but adopting a dog immediately restricts freedom. Every time you leave, you have to make sure you get back in time to get it out. More than 5 to 7 improvised after the office, ever.
And a lot of stress if something doesn't go as planned (unusual traffic jam, breakdown in public transport, etc.)
Having a dog also means taking action every time you go away for a full day or more, even if it's only a day of skiing, for example. Since he cannot stay alone, you also have to find a pension or another place to take him when you go away on a weekend, on a business trip, during vacations, etc.
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Buying a dog is often expensive and sometimes even very expensive for some breeds! It can go for over $1,000. But that's nothing compared to the rest.
- Veterinary fees: vaccines (depending on the weight of the animal but can correspond to several hundred dollars per year), routine examinations (from $60), follow-up appointments, sterilization (can also correspond to several hundred $ depending on the size of the dog, more expensive for a female), flea and tick treatments ($100)
- Registration fees: $100 for a microchip, $30 for a medal depending on the municipality, etc.
- Food: variable according to the weight, age, and specific conditions of the animal but can range between $25 and more than $100 per month. Some large puppies eat up to 8 cups of dry food a day!
- Treats: Indispensable for training, they often cost more than you think! One can easily add $20 per month.
- Toys: Variable according to the type of dog and not always equal from month to month, but to be taken into account all the same.
- Bones and other things to chew: Also essential for many dogs who have an irrepressible need to chew – this can save many pieces of furniture and household items that you hold dear. Another $10-20 per month.
- Basic equipment: A cushion, a good cage, an enclosure, a box or a transport bag, etc. $200 and up.
- Specialized equipment: Depending on your needs… A harness or net for the car, a jogging leash, a backpack for hiking, etc.
- The bags for the needs (and the pee pads): Not to be neglected either.
- Leashes, harnesses, collars, and co: Because they grow, wear them out, break them or eat them: occasional but another expense.
- Grooming: Depending on the size of the dog, between $40 and $90.
- Obedience classes: Variable but at least $30 to $40 per session.
- Occasional help from professionals for specific behavioral problems: A good investment, even if it's around $90 an hour.
- A walk while you're at work: Between $10 and $20.
- One day of daycare: Between $20 and $40 per day.
- One-weekend boarding: Around $250.
- Replacing what the dog broke: A few pairs of shoes is one thing. But a rug, a pouf, and two sofas are very expensive!
And that's for a perfectly healthy dog! Except that most dogs end up developing medical problems during their lifetime.
And that of course means additional costs, whether in specialized food, medication, surgery, following an accident, etc. It is not uncommon for owners to have to spend several thousand dollars at the vet.
see also: The 15 most beautiful cats breed in the world
