©Scott Sheaffer, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, USA Dog Behavior, LLC

“Getting a dog is not for everyone…”

“Should I get a dog?” is a question that all prospective first-time dog owners ask themselves as well as those dog owners who are thinking of adding a dog.

I’ve worked with thousands of dog owners in my behavior consulting career and have put together my list of things to consider before getting a first dog or adding another dog to your family. Getting a dog is not for everyone; choosing not to own a dog can be the right decision for many. I respect those who understand that dog ownership might not be a positive experience for them or the dog, given their current circumstances.

Those Who Might Want to Wait to Get a Dog

Not everyone is ready to get their first dog or add another dog. Below I’ve listed some things that I’ve found frequently don’t predict a good dog ownership experience for owners or their dogs. This list may offend some, but I promise I’m simply reporting on what I’ve observed. This doesn’t mean the people who are identified in this list should never get a dog; it just means they might want to wait.

No easily accessible yard for the dog to use the bathroom or to romp around from time to time.
Limited time and financial resources to properly care for the dog (dogs can be expensive sometimes).
Full-time college students.
The dog will be isolated and alone for extended periods almost every day.
Unable to provide proper exercise and positive training on a daily basis.
The dog will spend almost all of his or her time outside (dogs are social animals and need to be inside with their owners the majority of the time). For more information, please see Why Do Humans and Dogs Get Along So Well?
First time dog owners who select breeds that require substantial physical and mental activity (e.g., Border Collies, Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, etc.).

Best Breed of Dog for the First Time Dog Owner

Breed selection for first time dog owners is critical. Breed doesn’t 100% predict a dog’s personality as every dog has his or her own individual personality that can trump breed tendencies. However, careful and thoughtful breed selection can help make the transition into dog ownership much easier.

For more information, please see 5 Easy to Own Dog Breeds for First-Time Dog Owners.

What First Time Dog Owners Need to Be Prepared For

People who love swimming understand they’re going to have to get wet in order to enjoy their sport. Dog ownership is no different. There are some things that come with dog ownership that first time dog owners need to be comfortable with before diving in:

Picking up poop in the yard at least two or more times a week.
Properly dealing with and cleaning up house-training issues (this is an issue almost all new owners must initially deal with whether getting a new puppy or rescuing an older dog).
Dog saliva and dog fur everywhere (including on the owner).
Behavior issues common to dogs such as jumping up, barking, chewing, etc. (these behavior issues could include more serious problems such as aggression, separation anxiety, resource guarding, etc.).
Properly acclimating the dog to a crate (this can take several weeks sometimes).
Feeding and watering every day.
Regular veterinarian visits that include vaccinations, heartworm preventive, flea and tick preventive and teeth cleaning.
Proper grooming, depending on breed needs.
Private dog training by a qualified dog trainer or small group classes at a good training school (both need to use positive non-punishment based training methods).

Most People Take Great Pleasure in Dog Ownership

None of us is ever going to be perfectly prepared for our first dog - or even to add a second or third dog to our existing dog family. While dog ownership does have its challenges as noted above, the net positive benefit of dog ownership is undeniable for those who love these wonderful animals. Many people agree with me when I say that I always want to have dogs in my life. You just might find that you feel the same way once you’re ready to take the plunge.