| Choosing to have a dog for a pet is a very important | | | | household. |
| decision. Here are some of the pros and cons to look | | | | A dog doesn't automatically know what is acceptable |
| at carefully before making that decision. | | | | and what isn't. Just like a child growing up, a dog |
| A dog can be a wonderful addition to your family and | | | | needs to be taught. So, training will be an important |
| will become a loyal, affectionate, and faithful | | | | part of your interaction with your pet because having |
| companion. That's why it's important to choose your | | | | a badly-behaved dog can be a nightmare. Be |
| new pet carefully. And you must also make the | | | | prepared to invest both time and money in dog |
| commitment to conscientiously take care of him, to | | | | training. |
| train him patiently and consistently, and to generally | | | | Another consideration in choosing a dog is to decide |
| treating him as a cherished member of the family. If | | | | why you are getting a dog. Is it primarily to have a |
| you do these things,a dog can bring fun and joy, as | | | | pet, a watch-dog, a guard- dog, or a hunting-dog? If |
| well as providing a feeling of security for you and | | | | your reason is one of the last three, you will |
| your family. | | | | undoubtedly choose a larger breed dog. But if you |
| A dog will make changes in your family life and most | | | | are simply looking for a pet, you have a much wider |
| likely will, at times, create problems - what family | | | | choice. |
| member doesn't? Be ready to accept the | | | | Dogs range in size from tiny, like a Chihuahua, to |
| responsibility of caring for him, each and every day, | | | | huge like a Mastiff. Take into consideration, factors |
| for many years to come. Dogs love attention and | | | | like, will your pet be mainly an inside or an outside |
| need regular exercise, so be prepared to spend a | | | | dog? Do you want a calmer, rather than a very |
| good amount of time with them each day. They also | | | | active dog? What size is your house and your yard? |
| cost money, whether it be for food, vet bills, or | | | | How old are your children? |
| other expenses. Sometimes the expenses can be | | | | Lastly, do you want a pure-breed or a mixed-breed |
| significant. | | | | dog? There are advantages and disadvantages to |
| If you have children they will no doubt pester you to | | | | each type. |
| get a dog. They will promise to help take care of him | | | | Whether in the end you choose to have a dog for a |
| and maybe this is a good way to teach them | | | | pet or not, taking the time to carefully think it |
| responsibility. But ultimately the care of your pet is | | | | through will lead you and your family to the best |
| going to rest on the shoulders of the adults in the | | | | decision for you. |