Buying or adopting a dog for the first time is one of the most exciting moments of anyone’s life, no matter what age you become a first-time dog owner. However, there are many things you have to consider before bringing your new best friend home and lots of things you’ll have to do to prepare as becoming a dog owner is a huge commitment. Before you become a dog owner it is vital you are sure that you can take care of the dog properly by meeting 5 basic needs. These are health, behavior, diet, companionship, and the environment. In addition to this, you’ll have to ensure you have enough time to care for your new pet as if you have a busy lifestyle then a dog may not be the right addition, also take into account all the costs associated with having a dog and ensure you can afford it.
Health
Dogs have many basic needs that you’ll need to be prepared to care properly for. It will be your responsibility to meet all of these needs and ensure proper care for your dog. Some dog owners see it as a chore but it should not be looked at this way, you’ve chosen to become a dog owner so looking after them should be fun. You should make sure to train them properly to prevent them from accidentally injuring themselves whilst you’re not around and protect them from any kind of suffering. If they do become ill or injured it is important you already know of a reputable veteran that you can take them to who will be able to help.
Behavior
It’s important as a first-time dog owner to be aware of what normal dog behavior is, this requires a lot of research. Dogs will all act very differently but will all be healthy so it’s important to get to know your own dog. Dogs act differently depending on their age, their breed and in adopted dogs, their past experiences can affect their behavior. If there are big changes in your dog’s behavior this could be a sign that something is wrong so it is important to be aware of and look out for. It is also vital that you provide them with a place to run, play, and dig so they have a chance to behave like a normal dog.
Diet
Just like with humans’ it is vital for a dog’s health and wellbeing that they have a healthy sustainable diet. Different dogs need different serving sizes of foods due to their difference in size causing them to use different amounts of energy. If you feed your dog too much then they can become obese which will have a very negative impact on their quality of life and underfeeding them will cause malnourishment which will have the same impact. Just as important as a healthy diet is as a first-time dog owner you must always remember to provide them with enough clean fresh water, when you leave them alone at home it’s important to always leave a bowl out for them, especially in the summer. On top of this, it’s important to be aware of what can dogs eat and not eat as some basic foods can be toxic for dogs such as chocolate, avocado, and grapes among a few. Always be aware of this to prevent accidentally making your dog sick.
Companionship
Companionship is necessary for dogs; you should always take adequate time for your new dog which could be hard to get used to as a first-time dog-owner but it’ll soon become part of your schedule. If you do spend lots of time out of the house then it’s a good idea to have another pet to keep them company.
Environment
As a first-time dog owner your home may not be kitted out correctly to bring your new friend home, just like with babies it’s important to make sure your house is a suitable environment for them. You’ll need to make space for them to sleep or rest and also find space for them to exercise to let off any extra energy and to explore.