by Dakota Storage Buildings, on April 24, 2019
Both the joy and responsibility that come with owning a dog are substantial. If you're thinking about buying a dog for the first time, read through these insights first.
If you already own a dog, the chances are good that you’re well acquainted with the responsibilities involved in pet ownership.
However, if you’re looking to buy a puppy and you've never owned one before, it’s important to avoid impulsive decisions. Remember, the commitment is for the lifetime of the pet not just while they’re cute, little, and healthy.
Even though you may want the first pup you see, be sure to select a pet that's suited to your home and lifestyle. It’s equally as important to understand the time and financial investment that will be required of you.
Beyond the pup’s purchase price, there are many significant, one-time items that will also need to be made. These include travel cages or carriers, harnesses and leashes, and more. Additionally, dogs need appropriate food, water, shelter, health care, and companionship.
Owning a dog isn’t easy — but there are countless benefits! Here are a few pieces of advice, some insider tips, and core responsibilities that will help to prepare you.
Owning a Dog—8 Tips and Pieces of Advice
- Dogs need appropriate exercise and mental stimulation. No matter the size, every dog needs a physical outlet to expend extra energy and maintain health and fitness. Regular exercise can improve your dog's mental health and reduce anxiety or boredom based behaviors.
- Be sure to socialize your dog properly. Socialized dogs tend to have better coping skills. A broad range of positive experiences will help your puppy grow up to be a well-rounded, stable dog. Lack of socialization can lead to a dog that is afraid of people, new experiences, and new places. Look for a dog park near you—it’s a great way to socialize your dog and meet other pet owners in the area.
- Consider dog training or canine obedience classes. Obedience schools teach basic commands which enable you to manage your dog more easily in public and around other people and animals. Some things as simple as your dog greeting someone politely, coming back when they are called, or walking safely and controllably on a leash are basic desirable behaviors that obedience classes teach.
- Make sure your dog receives preventive and ongoing health care. Pets should be seen by a veterinarian every year for stool samples, vaccinations, parasite control, etc., but some pets may need to come in more often if they already have health problems or issues that require more frequent checkups. Staying up-to-date on recommended visits and health regiments is an important responsibility of pet owners.
- Make sure your dog is appropriately identified and licensed. If you’ve ever lost a pet, you know about the importance of ID tags (microchips and tattoos are popular and effective, too). Having identification and contact information securely attached to your dog makes it much more likely that you'll get your furry family member back. Also, check with your state regarding annual licensing and legal requirements.
- Clean up after your dog. Cleaning up after your dog helps prevent the spread of parasites and disease, and helps to keep public areas clean and mess-free. There are risks to the health and wellbeing of your dog, other pets, and people when domestic animal waste accumulates in public places. Plus, cleaning up after Fido is just the right thing to do.
- Obey all local ordinances including leash requirements and noise control. This can be tricky, but do your best to be aware of these requirements in your neighborhood, in parks, and on private and public property.
- Spay or neuter your dog. If you don’t plan to breed, consider spaying (females) or neutering (males) your dog. Doing this helps prevent uterine infections and cancers in reproductive organs, and it helps control the pet homelessness crisis.
Owning a Dog Means Being Prepared—A Short Checklist
Here are just a few other things to think about.
- Be prepared for an emergency or disaster. Think about what you will do with your dog in the event of an accident or disaster such as fire, flood, or emergency. While it may not need to be done immediately, putting together an evacuation kit and setting aside money for potential emergencies is a great goal to meet.
- If unforeseen circumstances arise and you have no choice but to rehouse your dog, plan alternate arrangements that will be best for both you and your pet. Change is hard for everyone, but having a well thought through plan in place can help alleviate anxiety and concern.
- Whether you purchase a puppy or adopt from the ASPCA, get to know your dog's habits and behaviors so that you can be prepared to act if you recognize changes in these areas or if you sense that your dogs quality of life is declining. Always make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian.
Owning a Dog Means Providing Adequate Housing
If your dog will not be living inside your house with you, then it’s important to find the best outdoor housing options for your pup.
We recommend outdoor dog kennels with an insulated room, fenced-in outdoor space, and enough room for movement—being cooped up is no fun for anyone. Dogs require fresh air and room to stretch.
Having a sufficient kennel is important, but it’s equally crucial to have one that’s easy to maintain. No one wants a maintenance headache. Look for kennels that are made with high-quality, easy-to-clean materials that are chew and stain resistant.
Here are a few of the features that our outdoor dog kennels include.
To see a full list of features, be sure to download our Kennel Collections Catalog.
Just like your K9 is an investment, so is his home—so make sure your pup’s palace is the right size with all the proper features. If you're interested in an outdoor dog kennel, download and browse our Kennel Collections catalog. You will see several size options with varying indoor and outdoor square footage.
If you need assistance choosing a kennel that’s best for your dog, or if you’re ready to purchase, call our helpful sales team at 888.832.6889 or send an email to sales@dakotastorage.com.
It's never too early to start shopping for the right home for your dog!
Other dog owner resources:
Our mission is to help you organize your life and keep your valued possessions safe—and yes, that includes dogs. We know dogs are an investment, and we want to help you keep them secure and happy.
When you purchase with us, you can trust that you’re getting a premium kennel, a knowledgeable and experienced team of experts, above-and-beyond customer service, honest prices, and flexible delivery options.
