How Do You Know You're Ready to Get a Dog?

by Jessica Bush

They say you're never really ready to have a baby, but the same isn't exactly true for becoming a pet parent. If you plan accordingly by asking yourself the right questions, you can be more than ready to adopt a dog.

The love a dog can give an owner is priceless.

Just remember that loving companions don't always come fully trained. There are many online resources and books with extensive adoption guidelines, but the process doesn't have to be rocket science.

The biggest considerations for dog adoption should be time, money, commitment and lifestyle. How much of the first three do you have to spend on a new dog? And most importantly, are you willing to carve out that extra time and money for the training period?

Still not sure?

My best recommendation is to simply volunteer at your local shelter. You can learn a great deal about dogs and the adoption process by playing an active role at the shelter on a regular basis. After all, this is a decision that will affect not only you and your family for many years, but also the entire lifespan of the dog too.

Jessica Bush writes daily for Dogingham.com, a blog about connecting community and nature simply by being a dog owner.

Available at Amazon.com:

Living with Kids and Dogs ... Without Losing Your Mind

Miss Fido Manners Complete Book Of Dog Etiquette

Visiting the Dog Park

The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog: A Physical Therapy Approach (Dogwise Manual)

Doggin' America: 100 Ideas For Great Outdoor Vacations To Take With Your Dog

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Pets | Dogs: How Do You Know You're Ready to Get a Dog?