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There are many questions that influence not only if you should have a dog or a puppy, but also what type of dog to have and if you decide to go to a rescue center or a breeder. However, the main thing among all this is that you wonder if your current lifestyle is compatible with a dog and, in case you need to make any changes, if you are prepared to do so. Also read: best protection for dogs.

Questions to consider before having a dog:

• Have children? If so, how old are they? You may have to take the time to educate your young children about how they should behave with a dog. You may also need to consider where the dog will spend time if you are not around all the time, since young children should not be left alone with a dog.
• Do you have other pets? If so, how could they react to a new addition? Introducing a dog to current pets is something that should be done gradually.
• Do you have a garden? If so, is it safe? Do you need to check for holes in the fence or poisonous plants and other hazards? If you don't have a garden, how can the dog access the outside when he needs it?
• Do you work full time? If so, will you be out all day? Can someone else take care of the dog during the day, to help train him when he is young or to walk him and make sure he has water?
• How much do you travel? If you go on vacation a lot, will your dog go with you? What is your plan if it cannot accompany you?
• Can you finance your dog's needs, including pet insurance, food, vet bills and grooming?

Do you have the necessary time for a puppy?

One of the most important questions you should ask yourself is if you have time to care for and train a puppy. Puppies require a lot of care and attention to ensure they don't get hurt, train them and help them become well-adapted dogs.

For example:

• Puppies need a lot of support to train them and help them adapt to their new homes. As they grow, they will continue to need a lot of exercise regularly. If you are away from home all day, a puppy may not be right for you.
• The training and behavior program should begin as soon as possible, when your puppy naturally has an excellent learning ability. This can be a rewarding process, but it takes a lot of time and constant reinforcement.
• When you have just arrived at your home, you will have to be present during regular feeding hours and monitor your dog's training and conduct behaviors at home.
• Because it is full of energy and everything catches your eye, your puppy needs to play a little and often, which requires care, attention and planning. For example, you should share part of your playing time with other dogs, so that you learn to socialize.

Is your home environment safe for a dog?

There is no single type of environment suitable for a dog. You might have children and other pets, which you should consider. You may live in a city, in the countryside, in an apartment or in a house. Whatever the environment, the important thing is that it is safe for your pet.

Puppies, in particular, are very receptive to their surroundings and the effect of negative experiences endures for a long time. Today's habitat is usually urban and life in the city is accompanied by numerous frequent and often intense visual and auditory stimuli. It is extremely important that your puppy does not associate the environment where he lives with some fear or some unpleasant sensation.

Life in the city can be very stimulating for a puppy, but, at the same time, very overwhelming. You should take the time to gradually familiarize him with his surroundings, as well as with the various situations he will face: cars, escalators, elevators, trains, trams or buses, to name just a few.

The puppy should also learn to be home alone sometimes, for longer and longer periods, without getting scared or becoming destructive or loud.

What should be considered:

• Exposed electrical cables
• Any place where a puppy could get stuck or fall, such as windows, balconies or stairs
• Access to toxic substances, including cleaning products, electronic cigarette refills, medications, chemical fertilizers, sharp tools, herbicides and insecticides
• Holes and holes in the garden where a puppy could escape, and poisonous plants
• Poisonous plants, such as ficus, cyclamen, holly, mistletoe, philodendron, aloe, daffodil, hyacinth, iris, azalea, rhododendron, oleander and peas.

Getting a dog can lead to a rewarding and long-term relationship. If you make sure that your home and your lifestyle can meet the health and safety needs of your new dog, you can greatly guarantee a healthy and happy life together.