It's safe to say that a lot of people love dogs, and a good percentage of those people want to have their own. The problem that arises from this is that people are so excited about the cute little play thing they are about to get that they forget that it will sometimes take real work and money.

1. Dogs cost money, even "free" ones

No one has gone without seeing the "ISO: free puppy cannot pay" posts on facebook and other social media or trade/sell websites. But if you think about it, the person that doesn't have the $20 for the re-homing fee probably doesn't have the money for the $100 shots or the food.

2. Don't be the person who adopts a dog and then sends it back

If you already have a dog and are unsure about how it will act with another animal, borrow a friend's dog, take your dog to a place where he/she will have to interact with other animals, make sure you know. Waiting until a dog is older and trying to re-home it is a good way to make it even harder for the dog to find a good home.

3. Puppies and dogs will get into things

Every dog or puppy will get into something they aren't supposed to when you bring them into a new home, you can't get mad and throw them out when they get into the trash the first time they were left alone. sometimes it just takes time, you may have to put up a fence or start to kennel train.

4. You have to spend time with them

When you bring a new pet into your home or yard, you are saying that you will do what it takes to make sure they are well adjusted. This means if you're going to school full time and working 40 hours a week its probably best to save the puppy for graduation. You can't really get mad at a dog for doing something when you haven't taken the time to show them that they aren't supposed to.

I believe that everyone should get the chance to have a pet, but there are times that getting something as high maintenance as a dog would be unfair. Take into consideration all of the aspects of dog ownership before getting one for yourself or as a gift.