You’ve finally decided to get a dog and can’t wait to pick one out. Adding a furry friend to your family is always exciting.

After all, what’s not to love about getting a puppy? They’re cute, cuddly, and make everyone smile. While all of that is true, getting a puppy also comes with plenty of new responsibility, including financially. If you’ve been considering getting a dog, you need to be prepared. Here are things you need to do before you bring a new pet home.

Prepare Financially

Buying a puppy is one thing but paying for its expenses is another. Even if you adopt from a shelter, you still need to plan for the future. Like children, pets need regular checkups at the vet, shots, and even an emergency fund in case they get sick or injured. In addition, you need to make sure you have the right supplies before the big day. If you’re already on a tight budget, you might want to free up some money first. Aside from scaling back on eating out or buying expensive brands, you also need to look at your finances. If you have student loans that eat up a large percentage of your monthly income, you could consider refinancing. If you look to refinance student loans, once approved you can pay less interest and have a lower rate overall. This can help you save up for all the necessities for your new pet.

Breed Type and Restrictions

You also need to consider the breed. If you’re an active person, then a Labrador would be a good choice. On the other hand, if you’re more laid back and like to take it easy, you might prefer a more relaxed breed like a Bernese Mountain. Furthermore, you also need to consider any breed restrictions. If you live in apartment, you might not be allowed to have the breed you want. If this is the case, there are still plenty of options out there, so don’t let that dissuade you.

Temperament

Your pet’s temperament is a key factor. If you have children, you need to choose a breed that is docile and good with kids. Dalmatians are cute, but they’re also prone to nipping. Pit bulls, on the other hand, tend to have a bad reputation. but are known to make great family pets when trained properly.

Grooming

Keep your pup’s hair silky smooth requires maintenance. That either requires a trip to the groomers every month or you learning how to do it yourself. Either way, it’s a commitment you need to be willing to make. Unless you find a pup that sheds very little, you need to be prepared.

Time

Even if you think you know everything there is about having a dog, one of the many things to know before getting your first dog is that you still need to consider the time commitment and how getting one can affect your lifestyle. Without pets, you can come and go as you please. However, once you become a pet owner, you can’t do the same. You need someone to watch your furry friend when you go on vacation, be able to come home in time to let it out and also be ready to wake up early in the morning for a walk before work.

Published by HOLR Magazine.