¶Time and interest
We think everyone who has the time and interest should have a dog at some point in their life. Partly because it’s incredibly rewarding, but also because it lets you experience a bond as strong as the one you can have with your own dog.
But before you decide to buy a puppy, you need to ask yourself whether you can actually make time for it right now. A dog demands a lot of time – especially when it’s a puppy. Different breeds need different amounts of time for exercise and other activities as adults. So make sure you find out what your particular dog is likely to need.
¶What does your life look like?
What are your plans for the future? A dog lives a long time and should be your best friend for 10–20 years of your life! Am I going to change jobs? Can I bring the dog to work? Can I go home at lunch to take it out? Do I have access to a dog sitter? Try to have answers to these questions in advance so you don’t run into problems once you’ve gotten a dog.
¶Plenty of free time during the puppy stage
Those first months together are what lay the foundation for your future relationship. The first four months are critical. That’s why you should spend as much time as possible with your puppy during that period.
