Why Is A Dog More Than Just A Pet? What You Need To Know Before Adopting A Shelter Dog

Dogs are more than just pets – they become part of the family and can enrich our lives in unimaginable ways. But owning a dog can involve a greater level of care and more of financial commitment than many realise. Considering adopting a shelter dog?  Here are a few hidden facets of dog ownership that you should prepare for before you finalise your decision.

Behavioural Issues Associated with Shelter Dogs

Just like people, dogs have their own distinct personalities. While there are certain behaviours often characteristic of certain breeds, every dog is an individual with its own quirks. This is why you shouldn’t compare a new dog with a previous pet. They might look the same and have similar traits, but your new dog has his own story and background. This is especially true of long-term shelter dogs. Your dog might have suffered trauma or he may have been unloved and abandoned.

It’s wise to consider training, even if your dog seems well behaved. Not only could he have picked up bad habits while waiting to be adopted, but he might also be prone to undesirable behaviours due to living in a shelter. These could be stress-related from being abandoned or he could have missed out on basic toilet training if the shelter life is all he’s known. Either way, behaviour problems can usually be corrected with proper training classes.

Reference: {https://canna-pet.com/common-anxieties-rescue-dogs/}

The Costs of Owning a Dog

You need to factor that there will be ongoing costs with owning a dog. These include things such as food, poop bags, replacement toys, and more. Perhaps the biggest shock for owners when it comes to costs is the price of vet fees. Vet bills can be costly and you don’t want to get a nasty surprise, so it’s better to be prepared with adequate insurance cover. Many insurers won’t cover older pets, which is a problem for owners adopting shelter dogs as they tend to be older. Certain providers such as Petsure offer dog insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions and doesn’t have an upper age limit.

Amongst some of the most forgotten costs of owning a dog are grooming, plane boarding costs and unexpected medical costs. Create a budget planner beforehand to ensure you can cover any unexpected costs that you may have initially overlooked.

Dogs Require Regular Exercise

Don’t forget that dogs need plenty of regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy. How much exercise the dog needs really depends on the breed and the individual, but it’s highly likely that your dog will need to be walked at least once or twice a day.

According to the Kennel Club, dogs such as Labrador Retrievers, English Springer Spaniel’s and Border Collie’s need more than two hours of exercise a day, whereas smaller dogs such as Bichons and Maltese may be satisfied with shorter walks.

Therefore, before you adopt a dog, you should ensure that you are willing and able to give it the exercise it needs. Are you fit and mobile enough to take the dog on daily walks? Do you have the time in your day to take the dog out at regular intervals? It’s really important that you establish this before adopting a dog.