I’m not sure if it is just an Iowa thing, but recently it seems like getting a dog is the newest trend. Every week there seems to be someone with a new puppy. Unfortunately, I don’t think many of these new dog owners really thought through the decision, but rather acted upon impulse. Many people will buy a dog, only to realize that they don’t want to care for it, and then will try and sell it only days later. As someone who bought a dog in college, and has now had it for 6 months, here is what you need to know about owning a dog before you go out and buy one.

First and foremost, puppies, believe it or not, are not born trained. They are going to pee and poop whenever and wherever. If you do want to house train your dog, and I’m not sure who doesn’t want that, it is going to take more time than you think. To train your dog as quickly as possible, you, and anyone else who the dog will be living with need to be as consistent as possible in your training. So, if you plan on getting a dog, make sure that your roommates are okay with it, and that there will be people home to watch your new dog and help with training.

Second, the dog will make noise. Assuming you’re going to crate train the dog, and you should, it will take some time for your dog to get used to being locked in its' crate. The first night will be the worst, as the dog will whine and bark for what seems to be forever. You just have to wait it out though, because if you cave in and let the dog out, that is just teaching the dog that barking will get him out of his cage. After a few nights your dog will become used to this process, and will no longer bark throughout the night. Another way to get your dog used to his or her cage is to put his food and water bowl in the cage while you feed it. As dogs often do, it is safe to assume that your dog will bark. Just take into consideration that your dog will bark and make other dog noises.

Third, a dog is not something you can just buy and forget about. You will have to spend a lot of time caring for your dog. When it is a puppy, it is unable to hold its bladder for long periods of time, and thus will need to use the bathroom often. This means letting it out every few hours, often including the middle of the night. You need to feed it multiple times a day, and make sure there is water for him. Training your dog will help with obedience, but this also takes much time.

Lastly, do your homework before buying a dog. Research the different breads to see what would best suit your lifestyle. Big dogs need a lot of exercise every day, which means more time taking walks, playing in parks, etc. If you live in an apartment, or think you may in the near future, a smaller breed of dog may be better suited for you. It is important to also understand why your breed of dog was created, as that will dictate how it behaves. Before you actually buy your dog, make sure you have all the supplies that you will need, from food, bowls, toys, a collar, a leash, a crate, treats, and spray to clean up after their accidents. So, if you have really thought through all of this, and still think you are up for having a dog, you definitely should get one. Although you have to put in a fair amount of time and work, the benefits of having a dog certainly outweigh the few detractors.