What I Wish I Had Known Before Getting a Dog

As a child growing up, I always wanted a puppy for Christmas (maybe even as an adult...), but my parents always told me that I didn't understand the responsibility that came with pet ownership. Well, mom and dad - you were right! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being a dog mom x2 and couldn't imagine my life without Milo & Arya in it. But did I truly know what I was getting myself into? Definitely not. Here are a few things I wish I had known before adopting my first (and my second) dog:

1. Your entire routine will change. My daily routine now revolves around feeding the pups, letting them out, walking them, playing with them, and ensuring all of their needs are met. This means I can't leave the house for more than 8 hours at a time usually, and I often have to get up earlier than I would like to make sure their routine is maintained. It may not sound like a lot, but there are days where this adds a significant amount of time to my morning routine or where I have to run home during the work day to let them out.

2. Your sleep schedule will change, at least for a period of time. This is especially true when adopting a puppy. I had to set alarms every few hours throughout the night to let Milo out until he was 5-6 months old, otherwise there was a chance he would have an accident. Sometimes this also meant standing outside in the freezing cold at 3 AM for 20 minutes waiting for him to go to the bathroom. Even with an adult dog, there are probably going to be changes to your sleep schedule as they adjust to your home and their new routine.

3. It's impossible to completely plan financially for a new pet. No matter how much planning I did, I couldn't prepare myself for every possible situation that could arise. For example, Milo developed a sensitivity to his food so I had to spend weeks trying different foods to see what worked best for him - this gets pricey! There is no way to predict every possible medical emergency that could arise, either. Toys, treats, food, medical services, grooming, dog sitters...the cost of each of these may vary from month to month, and it's important to be ready for the unexpected.

4. It can be challenging to find reliable people to dog sit. Think about any trips you've taken in the last few years. For each of those trips, you would either have to take your dog with you or find someone you trust to watch them while you are gone. Even when seeking out a dog sitter, there are a lot of things to consider - do you want them to stay at your house or at the sitter's house? Will your dogs be comfortable? Will they get along with any other pets in the home or pets being boarded? Is this person available on all of the days I am planning on being away each year? Of course, there is also the option of boarding facilities, but even that is complicated! Do I want them to have cameras so I can see my dog while I'm away? Do they have staff there 24/7? Does it feel safe and clean? How expensive will it be and what room type would I like them to have? The list goes on and on.

Despite all of the challenges of dog ownership, one thing is true across the board - IT IS SO WORTH IT.

There's a reason why people adopt dogs, right? The companionship, love, and adventure that comes with having a dog makes all of the challenging times worth it. It is important to make informed decisions, especially about adding a family member for the duration of their life, and I wish my decision (though I wouldn't change it) could have been more informed.

What do you wish you had known before you brought your dog(s) home? Let me know in the comments below!