by (( Nikki ))

Created on: November 22, 2009   Last Updated: November 23, 2009

It's tempting, isn't it? Those cute little puppies in the pet store, the friends who have puppies to sell or give away, free puppies in the paper. Puppies are easy to come by, and no one tells you that you need a manual to get one. While some people plan to get a dog, many more are tempted by spur of the moment purchases.

Before you give in to impulse and decide to get a dog, there are a lot of things to consider, including the type of dog, care and feeding, training, and budget concerns. Dogs are not cheap or easy pets to care for. They should never be an impulse buy or a present for someone else.

== Should you even consider a dog? ==

If you're thinking of getting a puppy, be prepared for a ton of time spent training it. Puppies don't come to you understanding that rugs aren't for peeing on and couches aren't for chewing. Depending on where you get an adult dog, it may not understand those things either, but there are plenty of adult dogs available for adoption from foster homes that are already mostly trained. That said, no dog is perfect. Can you tolerate mistakes that involve needing to purchase a new sofa?

This is less about training than about tolerance of animal behaviors. Dogs chew. They bark. Sometimes they bite. They get excited and jump on people. They often do these things at the most inconvenient times. Are you willing to learn how to train the dog you choose? Are you willing to put up with problems and work to solve them? If your solution is to dump it at a shelter or shove it outside, then a dog is not the right pet for you. Since dogs are different, just because you had a perfect dog when you were a kid doesn't mean your next dog will be perfect, nor will it even necessarily respond to training the same. Are you prepared to learn different training techniques to suit your dog?

Dogs are not toys. They are not disposable, to be shoved into a shelter as soon as they become inconvenient or are no longer cute. They are not there to teach your child how to be responsible. They are not decorations, to be put away into a box for 20 hours a day. They are living beings with needs and desires. If you cannot accept this, a dog is not the right pet for you.

== What kind of dog is right for you? ==

Still with me? If I haven't convinced you that you'd be better off with a goldfish, it's time to think about all your options on dog breeds, genders, and ages. Before you fall for a cute dog with no regard as to how it will fit into your lifestyle, sit down and

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