If you have been thinking of adopting a furry friend, you are not alone. According to Jillian, an adoption counselor, City Dogs Rescue adopts an average of twenty dogs every month. Some rescues have been experiencing a spike in the number of foster applications.
According to Homeward Trails, foster applications have increased by almost fifty percent. Adopting a dog makes sense especially now that social distancing guidelines have been adopted everywhere. Before rushing to bring home a furry friend, there are a few things that you should consider.
1. Don’t adopt because you’re bored
Since the coronavirus disease started spreading and affecting our societies, we’ve been forced to stay and work from home for several months now. Without a vaccine, things aren’t going to change. The pandemic has completely changed our lifestyle. While you might be feeling bored and lonely staying indoors most of the time, this should not be the main reason driving you to get a furry friend. Keep in mind that the pandemic will end soon. Before getting a dog, you need to think through some serious questions such as:
- Will you have enough time to care for your dog now and after the pandemic?
- Do you have enough money to adopt a dog right now? Do you have enough savings or a secure job to cover for unforeseen expenses relating to your pet?
- Do you have enough space for a dog? Does your neighborhood and house setting allow pets?
- Are you willing to spend time and energy training your dog?
- Do you want a dog that suits your lifestyle, for instance, exercising?
You need to visualize how your life is going to be after the pandemic. Ensure that you adopt a dog that matches the lifestyle you had before the pandemic. Keep in mind that everything will get back to normal. Will you be comfortable with your furry friend at home then?
2. Adopting a dog right now has pros and cons
If you were planning to get a dog before the pandemic, now is a great time to turn your dream into reality. By spending more time at home, you’ll have the opportunity to bond with your dog before things return to normal. You’ll also have more than enough time to train your furry friend. This is especially important if you’ve adopted a puppy or your dog needs to be crate trained.
You can easily train your dog by using the SMART method which is all about positive reinforcement. If you adopt an anxious or fearful dog, now is the best time to work on his issues. You can take him for a brisk walk and encourage him to associate with other dogs and strangers.
While doing this, you should remember to adhere to the health regulations of your local area. Socializing is critical for fearful dogs and pups. However, this will be extremely difficult due to social distancing guidelines.
You shouldn’t delay training your dog just because you can’t get out of your house. A lot of dog trainers are offering online classes on popular platforms like YouTube. Your dog can learn simple commands such as stay, sit, or come using this resource.
You may end up having limited access to essential supplies. You need to anticipate all the essential things you’ll need to care for your dog. You’ll need to minimize trips to the stores and vet and place orders online. Deliveries can also be delayed. You should also remember to invest in cleaning materials. You should also figure out how you’ll be transporting your furry friend to the vet if you don’t have a car.
Being prepared for any kind of emergency before it takes place will save you a lot of time and energy in the long run.
3. Transitioning to the normal lifestyle
If you are staying and working from home, you may have more than enough time with your dog. When you get back to the office in a few months to come, this might negatively affect your dog. Creating a schedule and sticking to it will help your dog transition to your normal lifestyle easily.
If you’ll be spending a couple of hours away from home, start allocating some time away from your furry friend to help him adjust. You can start by leaving him alone for a few minutes and increasing the time gradually to hours.
4. Budget for your pet
The costs of adopting a furry friend are high. You’ll need to buy enough food, leash, toys, crate, bed, medicine, and prepare for vet visits. After all these, you should budget at least $100 per month for dog-related expenses. If you are thinking of hiring a dog walker after the pandemic, the costs might go up. If you are ready to adopt a dog, good for you.
Conclusion
As you have seen, there are a lot of things that you should consider before adopting a dog especially now that we are in the middle of a pandemic. Don’t adopt a dog just because you’re feeling lonely or bored. You have to figure out if you have the time and resources to care for your furry friend.
Author Bio:
Tiffany Harper is an experienced freelance writer, who sometimes works as the consultant expert with at best essay writing service and do my assignment service. Tiffany likes to help local shelters, walking with dogs and playing with cats. Please do not hesitate to contact her on twitter.