Are You Ready to Own a Dog?

About six to eight million cats and dogs enter animal shelters each year, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Of these, about three to four million are euthanized.

Three of the top 10 reasons why people relinquish their dog to an animal shelter include not having enough time to care for a pet, high cost of caring for a dog and inadequate facilities, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy.

These factors are foreseeable. The following tips should give you insight as to whether you are ready to bring a dog into your home.

1. Puppies cost money long after you purchase them.
Some people pay thousands of dollars for a purebred puppy, either from a breeder or from a local pet shop. Others may pay less than $100 for a puppy from a breeder or from a local animal shelter. Either way, the costs do not stop at the final sale.

Depending on what age puppy you purchase or adopt, it will need a series of vaccinations, just like a human baby. Puppies typically receive vaccinations between six to nine weeks of age, followed by boosters every three weeks until 16 weeks. After the initial vaccines and boosters, dogs should be vaccinated yearly, according to Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs & Cats.

Puppy vaccinations can cost anywhere from $40 to $80 per set. Many veterinary clinics offer packages that include all puppy vaccinations. These typically cost $150 to $300.

You should also keep in mind that puppies may develop other illnesses, and additional trips to the vet can range anywhere from $50 to $150 or more. After a certain age, you will also want to provide flea and heartworm protection for your pet, which can cost roughly $70 or more, depending on the size of your dog.

It is important to remember that dogs also require food and supplies. Depending on the size and breed, dog food can cost as little as $10 per month or more than $40 per month. Other items, like dog crates for house-training, chew toys, leashes, collars, food bowls and more will cost money.

The following sites will give you an estimation of the average cost of owning a dog for the first year of its life, and the estimated yearly cost of owning an animal.

2. A dog requires time from its owner.
That puppy may be really cute in the pet store or at the local animal shelter, but keep in mind the time commitment required to take it home. Puppies must be housebroken, which takes a large effort on the part of its master. Ideally, you should get up every two to three hours during the night to take your puppy outside. It is better to take your puppy out too often than to risk it having an accident in the house.

Constant vigilance is required! If you lay down to take a nap or watch a movie, and your puppy has an accident in the house while you are not paying attention, you are only reinforcing the habit of peeing/pooping in the house.

Puppies should also be properly trained and socialized with other people and animals. A good idea is obedience school. Obedience school typically requires a commitment anywhere from two to eight weeks. The course I enrolled my dog in was one hour per week for eight weeks. These classes can cost several hundred dollars.

Dogs also need plenty of love and lots of walks. If you will be too tired to love on, play or walk your dog after a long day at work, then a dog is not for you!

3. A dog requires space.
Space is required for all dogs, but especially large breeds. Keep in mind that many apartments or condominiums have rules affecting the type, size and number of pets you may have. Do not purchase or adopt a dog before determining the rules of your residence.

A smaller dog may be comfortable in a tiny studio or one-bedroom apartment, but a bigger dog needs a yard and room to run. If you only have a studio apartment with no real yard, a larger breed dog is not for you.

Also remember that some dogs are excellent jumpers, and may require more than just a standard fence. Some breeders of particularly good jumping breeds will require that puppy buyers install a 6-foot fence to keep their dog enclosed and safe from harm.

Dogs are not for everyone.
A dog, like a child, is completely dependent on its master for food, shelter, medical care and love. The average lifespan of a dog can be anywhere from 10 to 12 years, but smaller breeds tend to live longer lives and larger breeds shorter lives.

The decision to buy or adopt a dog should not be taken lightly. You can speak to a local veterinarian, a representative of your local animal shelter or a friend who has already owned a dog to help you make your decision.

Dogs are living creatures, and if you make a poor decision to take one in when you are not prepared, the dog is the victim. No one wants to see animals euthanized at animal shelters, so take into account all these factors before buying or adopting a dog.

Sources:
Humane Society of the United States, HSUS Pet Overpopulation Estimates, Humane Society of the United States Web site
National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy, Top Ten Reasons for Pet Relinquishment to Shelters in the United States, PetPopulation.org
Bellwether (Newsmagazine of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine), Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center, Average Cost of Owning a Dog the First Year
British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, What's Having a Pet Going to Cost?