4 Things No One Tells You About Owning a Dog

Owning a dog could perhaps be one of the most joyous occasions in your life, but there’s no doubt that there could be pitfalls along the way that could trip you up and cause you to regret ever taking on the responsibility. So to help you out, here are a couple of things that people will rarely (if ever) tell you about owning a dog.

1. Your dog takes you for walks, not the other way around

People often think that you have to take your dog for a walk, but the reality is that they’re the ones taking you for a walk. Whether it’s at 1 AM in the morning as you’re drifting to sleep or immediately after dinner, your dog will go if they have to go and the last thing you want is your dog’s stomach contents pouring over your floor.

2. Your dog will become a part of your schedule

Sounds obvious, but if you’re not ready to plan around your dog then you’re going to have a very tough time as a new dog owner.

3. Your dog becomes a part of the family

Far too many people just think of dogs as pets and nothing else. However, the reality is that they’re going to become an integral part of the family that everyone loves and cares for. This demands time, love, compassion and a lot of patience, so if you and your family can’t offer this, then you may want to reconsider.

4. Dogs grow really fast

Don’t believe it? It only takes a year before a dog grows from just a little puppy to their full-grown size. Just take a look at the infographic below to learn more about the various stages of dog growth and how they’re affected.