Unexpected Benefits Of Having A Dog | Purina

How getting a dog changes your life - top 9 ways to expect

Nothing compares with the joy of taking a dog into your life – but unless you are prepared for all the changes that are ahead of you, you may well feel as if your life has been turned completely upside down! (Which it kind of has!

So, how does having a dog change your life? Here are top 9 lifestyle changes to expect when your pooch waltzes into your home:

1. Expect to have early mornings – every day!

While some dogs can grow up to be couch-potatoes who enjoy an occasional long lie-in, most will be up at the crack of dawn raring to start the day. Puppies especially will need to go out very early in the morning so your days of lounging around in bed till midday on a lazy Sunday are well and truly at an end!

2. Daily walks are a must

No matter what the weather might be, dogs need daily exercise. Even those breeds who have fairly low demands when it comes to the great outdoors, need the change of scenery, enrichment, and the break from what can otherwise be a pretty boring day of just hanging around the house. And of course, some of our most popular breeds were created to work all day every day – and so for them, getting out and about for a long, daily walk (or two) is a complete necessity. Without this, all kinds of dog behaviour problems can arise – and you will have an unhappy, bored, frustrated canine on your hands.

3. You’ll need to invest in waterproofs and wellies

This, of course, means you need a whole new wardrobe! Winter dog walks can be a chilly, wet affair if you are not properly dressed for the climate. Your hitherto stylish wardrobe will change – and your priority will be staying dry and warm as you explore the countryside or local area with your new best friend!

4. Dog hair…there’s a lot of it

Speaking about your wardrobe… most of your clothes will now come with the added addition of dog hair! As will your carpets, soft furnishings and car. Some breeds shed more than others ( often it is the smooth or short coated dogs who shed the most) and so an investment in a good pet vacuum cleaner (and matching your clothes to your dog’s colour!) is going to be a key part of your new life as a dog owner.

5. Poo bags in every pocket are a must

This one goes without saying. It is vital (and in most places, a legal requirement) that you pick up after your dog – and you only have to get caught out once and have to try and ‘improvise’, to realise that everywhere you go, you need to have a good supply of poo bags. And always have at least three times more than you need. You can never predict when it could end up being a ‘multi-poo walk’

6. Nights out will need to be planned ahead for the foreseeable future

Your care-free days of impromptu nights out with your friends are at an end. Just like when you have children, you always need to take your dog into account when you go out. In time, your puppy may be able to be left alone for a few hours – or you might have friends or family who can puppy-sit – but part of your new life will be making sure your dog is looked after and happy when you are not there.

7. Holiday planning will need to include your pooch’s needs

How getting a dog changes your life includes your holidays. Just like nights out, holidays have to be planned ahead. No more heading off for a spontaneous weekend away or a fortnight in the sun without thinking about your dog. Thankfully there are plenty of places you can go for an idyllic break where your dog can come too – but of course, this will depend on your dog being well-behaved and social (and that takes time and input from you).

If you want to have a dog-free holiday however, you need to think about who will look after your dog when you are away. Family? Friends? A local boarding kennel? And if it is the latter, the good ones need finding well in advance and booking up early – and giving your dog a couple of trial overnight stays to make sure they are happy and comfortable long before you board a plane!

8. An empty bank account is likely for dog owners

Dogs are expensive. Sometimes eye-wateringly expensive. One animal welfare charity in the UK forecast that the potential lifetime cost of a large dog could be over £30,000 and at least £5,700 (although that was before the recent cost of living rises!). Food, vet bills, dog insurance, puppy equipment and accessories… they all cost money and are often unpredictable.

9. You will have a full heart

While your bank account might be empty and your clothes covered in dog hair, your home – and your heart – will be full of love. Your dog will always be happy to see you (even if you’d only been gone for five minutes!), will always want to be by your side, and will give you the unconditional love and devotion that you can only ever dream of.