Big brown eyes peering at you from a cage may capture your heart, but is the pup attached to those eyes a good choice? Kittens are cute, but will Grandma really want all that energy bouncing around her house?
It’s imperative you choose a pet that suits your lifestyle. It not only makes life a lot easier for you but could prevent the animal from ending up back in the shelter.
The Lifestyle Mismatch
“One of the most common reasons pets are surrendered to shelters or brought to trainers isn’t a lack of training; it’s a mismatch,” Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert with Rover, told The Epoch Times.
Ellis said she often sees an energetic young herding breed, such as a border collie, adopted by a retired couple who actually want a calm lap dog. A rescue dog who is nervous or shy may be placed in an active household with young children and constant visitors. Other owners adopt an animal because they have a sentimental or romantic view of its breed, only to discover that what makes up a breed is more than skin-deep.
These families haven’t taken the dogs’ natural instincts or needs into account. This means a clash between the pet and the family in daily life.
And when an animal needs exercise, mental stimulation, or social interaction and those needs aren’t met, behavioral problems will develop. “Many training problems are really mismatches between a pet’s natural needs and the human’s lifestyle,” Ellis said.
Time Investment
Be honest with yourself and think about how much free time you have to spend with a pet. You’ll need to devote daily time to exercise and enrichment. Ellis said that many high-energy breeds, such as border collies, Belgian Malinois, and golden retrievers, require a lot amount of exercise.
“If you want a more laid-back companion, look for breeds or mixes with moderate energy levels or perhaps adopt a middle-aged pet,” Ellis said.
If you decide to adopt a puppy, they need early training and socialization. It’s a lot of work. If you adopt an animal that requires more of a time investment than you are willing or able to give, your new pet will develop behavioral problems.
Count the Cost
Pets come with a high price tag. If you adopt, you’ll have the adoption fee, and if you buy, there’s that price. But beyond acquiring the pet, there are other costs. Excluding one-time expenses such as neutering and spaying, the basic annual costs of shots, food, and equipment add up to hundreds of dollars.
According to MarketWatch’s survey of dog owners, the annual cost of dog ownership ranges between $480 and $3,470 per year. Do the math—if you adopt a puppy and it lives 15 more years, it could cost anywhere between $7,200 and $52,050 in total. And depending on the dog, you may have the additional costs of grooming, unforeseen medical treatment, or boarding.
Family and Living Space
Cats are generally easy to accommodate in terms of living space, but depending on the type of dog, you may need to make special arrangements. Do you live in an apartment without a yard? An active dog may tear it apart.
Ellis said: “Some dogs adapt well to urban living; others need room to run. And this isn’t as simple as sizing; for example, Great Danes are great apartment dogs.”
Look at your family. Will a hyperactive dog do well in a busy household? If you have children or other pets, you’ll need to consider whether your chosen pet will fit into the mix.
How to Choose the Right Pet
It’s important to do the research. This could involve talking to reputable dog breeders or rescue groups. If you see an animal in the shelter that you like, discuss its personality with the shelter staff to learn more about its temperament.
Ellis suggests that you ask about fostering pets. “Many rescues offer foster-to-adopt programs so you can see if it’s a good fit before committing,” she said.
Meet multiple dogs or cats. You don’t need to rush. Spend some time at the shelter to observe the animal’s energy levels and reactions to you and the environment.
Training Isn’t a Fix-All
Although training may help if a pet’s needs and a human’s life don’t align, you can’t change genetics.
“I love helping dogs and families succeed, but no amount of training will turn a herding dog into a couch potato. On the flip side, a couch potato might struggle on adventures with a marathon runner,” Ellis said.
Prevent Problems Before You Adopt
Never adopt or buy a pet on impulse. You want to ensure that the pet’s energy level, temperament, and care requirements fit into your lifestyle. This will set you and your pet up for success.
If you take the time to research and match your pet to your lifestyle, Ellis said, “you’ll avoid ending up in a trainer’s office for problems that could have been prevented.”
The last thing you want to do is surrender a pet back to the shelter.
