Bringing a puppy into your home is a major decision. It can be difficult to figure out whether now is the right time or not.
That’s why we’ve put together this article. It covers eight signs you can look for to figure out whether you’re ready to get a puppy. Keep reading to learn more.
You’ve Done Your Research
Have you been thinking about getting a puppy for a long time? Have you looked up different breed types and their personalities online and already figured out what it will take to care for a dog daily?
If you answer yes to those questions, you’re on the right track. But, it’s not enough to just look up puppies for sale and go from there. You need to really research what you will need to do with your dog every day if you want to go into this with your eyes wide open.
You Have Time
Another sign to look for is whether or not you have free time in your current schedule. For example, 35% of job holders can work from home full-time, according to McKinsey. If you’re one of them, then that could make it much easier to walk and play with your puppy when they need attention.
You may still have enough time even if you don’t work from home. As long as you can take your puppy on a few walks per day, play with them after work, and get them to the bathroom when they need to go, then you should be fine.
You Have Some Savings
It’s also important to be aware of how much it can cost to care for a puppy. You need to buy them food, and toys treat and pay for trips to the vet – which can sometimes be unexpected.
If you feel confident in your ability to do all of this without feeling like you may not have enough money, then that’s a good sign that now could be the right time to bring a puppy into your life.
Your Life Will Be Stable Enough for the Next 10+ Years
The average lifespan for most dog breeds is between 10 and 13 years. However, it can be difficult for many of us to predict exactly what our lives will look like a decade from now.
But you don’t necessarily need to know the exact path that your life will take before getting a puppy. You just need to know that it will be stable enough to care for the dog no matter what path you end up taking.
For example, if there’s a chance that you could move to another country or take a job that brings you away from home for weeks at a time, getting a dog may not be the right decision.
But if the biggest potential changes are that you may have been moving to another city or taking another job in the same industry, you can absolutely still get a puppy as long as you’re committed to caring for it no matter what happens.
The Other People in Your Home are On Board
If you have other people in your home, then make sure that you talk to them about getting a puppy before bringing one home with you. They may have concerns that you haven’t thought about.
If you get a dog and people in your house aren’t happy with it, then it could bring a lot of stress into your living situation. And you don’t want to be put into a position where you have to choose between keeping the dog and moving somewhere else.
You Have Outdoor Space Nearby
You don’t necessarily need to have a yard when you get a puppy. But you should have a nearby outdoor space that you can take them to so that they can get out for walks and go to the bathroom frequently. This can be as simple as dog-friendly streets to walk on if you’re living in a city.
Are your Okay with Your Home Not Being Perfect
It’s also important to know that puppies can be destructive. Your furniture, flooring, and possessions could be damaged from chewing and going to the bathroom indoors.
Make sure you’re okay with that – or that you’ve at least put away your most precious items – before bringing home your dog.
You Love Dogs
Really, the most important thing that you can give to a new puppy is your love. If you love dogs and have been wanting one for a very long time, then that’s a sign in and of itself that you’re ready. Everything else can fall into place as long as you have this.
