7 Reasons Why Not To Get a Dog

Dog Behavior, Dog Safety, Dogs — By Signe & Mario Monk on August 13, 2010 10:36 pm

St Bernard Dog When movie Beethoven hit the big screen back in 1992 it was a massive buzz about previously “undiscovered” dog breed. Every kid begged their parents to get a cute “little” St. Bernard and most of them did get a puppy on birthday. By surprise it grew up and became a dog that needs special care for its coat, a training because of its massive size and loads of food because of its massive size again.

If you want to protect you from getting in similar situation maybe you could start with a question to yourself: “Why do I need a dog?”. Answering it you might come to realization that in reality you don’t need one. Thus, saving yourself and a dog a lot of trouble.

Why Do You Need a Dog?

If your answer to the above question is one of the following maybe it is a good time to clear your head and think it through:

I saw him on a TV – Beethoven was not the only dog that touched everyone’s heart after appearing on screen. Many breeders of Dalmatians were angry (even their income hit the ceiling) after movie starring Glenn Close came out. Most people getting a Dalmatian were not aware of care this dog needs. List with popular dogs on TV might go on. But does it have to?
All my friends has one – this is a fashion. Very popular for small dogs like Chihuahuas and Toy-terriers. And it is OK to have some interests in your life and to fill your days with a little companion. It is nice and cute, but I don’t want to see another dog being held in a bag for whole day and I don’t want to know what happens to them after fashion starts to change.
My kids want it sooo bad. Are they telling you they will be going on walks with it and will be cleaning, feeding and doing all the other stuff? Don’t be naive – you will have to clean, you will have to feed and you will have to pay a vet’s bill.
My pet passed away and I need a new one. We all feel depressed after our pets go to Rainbow Bridge, and most of us feel that emptiness in our heart has to be filled as soon as possible. Getting a dog too soon (it depends on every one of us how soon is too soon) might result you wanting that dog to be a copy of your previous dog. But in reality – it never happens. Another thing is – if your dog died from infectious disease bacillus might stay alive for quite long period of time and getting a new puppy too soon might result in… you know…
I need someone to play with my current dog. Yes we are busy. We don’t have time to our pets – we have jobs, we have kids. I spend much less time with my dog after my daughter was born eight months ago. But do I need to get another dog because of that? Where would I find a time to care for two dogs if I barely can find it for just one dog? I agree that in some aspects two dogs are easier than one (I had two boxer dogs some time ago). But in most cases it’s just a double trouble.
I need someone to cheer me up. Dogs do cheer up a lot. When I’m exhausted of grooming, walking, feeding and cleaning after my dog – I am very pleased that I have someone to cheer me up.
I want to start a breeding business. Good for you! But does it has to be the only reason to get a dog. No matter how carefully you pick a puppy – there is no guarantee that it will be suited for breeding. And what then? It will be just a pet and no business for you. Do you want a business tool or a pet?

When I wanted to get a new puppy some time ago I asked myself a question “why do I need a dog?”. I came up with five of above-mentioned answers and it was okay. Why? Because there were lot more reasons for me to get a dog. It is okay to want a dog to cheer you up, to start a breeding business and even to get a dog because of fashion. Every answer is good. Every if it’s not your only answer. There always has to be more than one reason to get a dog.

Photos by audrey_sel, tunaboat