The Benefits and Drawbacks of Having a Dog

The Pros and Cons of Owning Dogs

It's now been three and a half years, and I’m a happy paw parent. My Labrador came to me when she was 35 days old and has grown up to be well-behaved, socialized, and very enthusiastic. She is very active, as she was when she was one year old. She has brought me nothing but happiness and helped me through the most difficult times.

It is important that you understand that raising and training well-mannered dogs is a difficult task before you even consider getting one. On the other hand, a lot of young adults overlook the duties and obligations associated with dog ownership. When they are young, they lack the maturity to distinguish between right and wrong, much like small children.

It is our duty to instruct them, and you must possess the patience to do so. Furthermore, you must accept that a dog will be yours for the next ten to twenty years if you truly want one.

Pros:

Author: WellPet

• Dogs are fun and loyal: They would never turn on you. They enjoy playing with you and running alongside you. They will not ask for much in return and will follow you around, protecting you at all times. 

• Assist you in working out: Daily exercise is an essential part of a dog’s well-being and absolutely cannot be neglected. Increasing your daily activity level is inherent in bringing a dog. A minimum of three times outdoors each day, of one hour of physical activity per day at a minimum. This also makes your four-legged roommate as your workout pal. The increase in physical activity reaps many benefits for the pet parent, as blood pressure and stress are reduced. The added exercise, along with the pet, might be what the doctor ordered and good for all members of the family. However, this requirement becomes mutually beneficial because it also ensures that you’re getting outside daily, taking in sunlight, and getting your own exercise.

• A dog is not only a companion; it is also your best friend and also protects you: According to research, dog owners had better outcomes with regard to stress, activity, self-esteem, disease, loneliness, depression, and a meaningful life. Even though your dog is not particularly dangerous, he can deter potential burglars from entering your home just by barking. Embrace happiness in your life. There is no substitute for the warmth and happiness that pets bring into the home. Joy fills a home with their wild energy and quirky personalities. Your pet will be the happiest person when you return from outside. All through life, your dog will be there for you and will never leave your side. Human oxytocin secretion is positively correlated with the quality of the bonds formed between owners and pets.

• Dogs make wonderful family members: They benefit the entire family in the ways that were already mentioned. Having pets as children fosters a profound empathy for other species. Paw parents will form a network and gather at parties to share their favorite paw stories. The development of both the children's and the dogs' personalities depends on the socialization of dogs with children. Together, the dog and kids can experience new things as they get older. In the long term, this additional support from a dog will help kids develop social confidence and human-to-human connections.

• Instill patience in you: It does seem like your patience is put to the test quite frequently when you first acquire a pet. But you will discover that your animal buddy is teaching you more than you might have imagined. You discover, after weeks of potty or leash training, that you have more patience now than you did before becoming a pet parent. You will quickly forgive them for their inadvertent mishaps and pet accidents when you realize they were not meant to be. 

• They can lead to decreased stress: They may result in less stress. Dogs have a remarkable way of calming you down and relieving tension. According to a study, people's blood pressure and stress-reactivity significantly decreased after just three months of dog care. After a long day, there is no greater feeling than arriving home to your furry best friend, who is overjoyed to see you. Dogs can be fantastic companions for students. It can be isolating to live alone. When needed, your pet can be a reliable guard dog in addition to being a companion to keep you busy.

Cons:

• Time devoted: Time and attention must be dedicated to dogs. The hardest thing for many working professionals and families to get used to is the time commitment. For this reason, owning a dog in the city is more difficult, particularly if it is a large one. Dogs must be allowed to run, enjoy their independence, and sniff around in their natural habitat. Walking and feeding dogs multiple times a day takes time. You invest a great deal of time in learning about your pet's upkeep in the early stages of pet ownership. If your dog becomes ill, you may have to worry constantly or spend a lot of late nights at Urgent Care. Having a pet means having to make the commitment to clean up spills during inconvenient hours. Additionally, you will need to schedule playtime, regular walks, and veterinarian visits. Therefore, you might want to think twice before getting a dog if you do not live close to a park, forest, or other green space.

• High Maintenance: In addition to paying for boarding while you are away, you also need to buy dog food and take your dog to the vet on a yearly basis if it is in good health. In order to maintain their health, dogs may need to be fed expensive food, given treats, and closely monitored Kennel costs for dogs are high. A major contributing factor to the high number of pets that end up in shelters is their expense.  Pet parents may have to pay a large emergency care bill in the event of an accident or unexpected health issue. It is crucial to evaluate your financial status in advance and decide if getting a dog is the right decision for you at this time.

• When you are gone, a dog sitter will be required: Be advised that you will require someone to watch your dog whenever you go on a trip, even if it is only for a few days. Someone who knows a little bit about dogs and how to care for them is required, whether it is a dog kennel, a close friend, or another person.

• Training requires dedication: When a dog is trained to sit, it is always helpful, but some people do not like it when dogs jump on them, especially when their paws are wet or dirty. Dogs should learn boundaries, such as what belongs to them and what is ours, as well as which places are off-limits. Most importantly, they should be trained to relieve themselves outside.

• They might interfere with your social life: Whether you like it or not, hanging out with your friends will be less frequent if you own a dog. When your pet is waiting for you at home, it is no longer possible to spend the weekends out until four in the morning or to be away from your home for twelve hours at a time. You may occasionally have to miss out on social events in order to accommodate your dog's needs.

• They must consider their board when taking a vacation: It is not as simple as packing up your pet and heading out on vacation. While making reservations for yourself, you also need to make arrangements for your furry friend. In the event that the pet is traveling with you, the rental property must allow pets and provide comfortable transportation for the pet. Your pet needs a watchful sitter or boarding home if they are not traveling with you.

• Destroys the home if left untrained: An unruly dog may unintentionally run amok. Nothing on the floor or in the furniture is off limits to your dog's chewing. Your dog may urinate and defecate on the carpet and floors if they are not housebroken. Young pets that are boisterous and full of energy frequently find themselves in inappropriate places. You run the risk of damaging valuables when you search the counter for food and treats. 

All families have unique benefits and drawbacks when it comes to owning a pet. The advantages of owning a pet exceed all the disadvantages, despite the fact that many homes have a lengthy list of disadvantages. Pets fill the void left by their absence from homes by providing loyalty and company.