The Internet Praises This Genius Mom For Testing Her Husband And Kids To See If They Can Handle A Dog
Owning a dog is a joy, a privilege, and a huge responsibility; in order to enjoy the animal’s company, you need to take care of it. Every. Single. Day.
So when Reddit user SeaworthinessOwn9590‘s husband and kids started considering bringing a pup into their home, she made them prove that they were ready for the commitment.
The family had problems with it pretty much straight from the get-go, but instead of reevaluating their desires, they started blaming the woman.
This man really wanted to get a dog with his kids
Image credits: Lifeonwhite (not the actual photo)
But his wife asked them to show that they were ready for the responsibility that comes with it
Image credits: YuriArcursPeopleimages (not the actual photo)
Eventually, the grandparents also got involved
Image credits: IrynaKhabliuk (not the actual photo)
Image credits: SeaworthinessOwn9590
The goals that the woman had set out for her family sound achievable
Image credits: Andrew Schultz (not the actual photo)
According to experts at Dogtopia, the leading provider of dog daycare in North America, there are five signs that now is the right time for you to get a puppy:
- You have time to train your puppy and shower them with attention. Bringing home a puppy requires plenty of time and patience. When welcoming the new addition into your family, be prepared to invest a lot of hours into things like potty training, safe socialization with humans and other pets, helping them distinguish between toys and off-limit items, and so on. Teaching your pup how to interact with the world right off the bat will help them grow into a well-behaved and obedient dog, however, it will remain an ongoing process. Training is something that should be consistent throughout your pet’s lifetime. Your new pup will demand a lot of your attention and if neglected, they can get very bored, which may lead to destructive behavior.
- You lead an active lifestyle. Aside from doggie training, puppies also need a lot of activity, even on those days when the weather is bad and you’re tired. Playing with your new pup helps them burn energy, keeps them healthy, and taking your pup out with you gives him or her tons of exposure to other people, pets, smells, sights, and noises. Although some dog breeds have higher energy levels than others, every dog needs a sufficient amount of exercise.
- You are financially prepared. Make sure you are ready to tackle all the bills that come along with your new furry friend. Food, toys, vaccines, cleaning supplies spaying or neutering, vet trips, and potential professional training, dogs incur expenses from puppyhood throughout their lives. Keep in mind that unexpected stuff can happen at any time, which means more veterinarian costs that can seriously drain your pockets.
- Everyone in your family is on board. Whether you’re married with children like the people in the Reddit post, living with a significant other, or have roommates, you need to ensure everyone in your home is on the same page and is ready to accept a puppy into their lives. Discuss it together and create a plan where you outline each person’s responsibilities, as well as the puppy’s rules to ensure that things remain consistent. Not only should you get every person in your household on board, but your other pets as well!
- You’ve done your research. Arguably the most important thing you should do before bringing a puppy home is research. Different dog breeds suit different lifestyles, so take the time to analyze your living habits to find what is the best fit for your family. Look into dog food, toys, cleaning supplies, nearby vets, and daycare/boarding facilities to prep for your new furry family member and ensure you know exactly what you’re getting into.
People give up far too many dogs as it is
Image credits: Margarita Kosior (not the actual photo)
It’s hard to blame the woman for what she did. There are already too many examples of owners giving up their pups. The ASPCA estimates that roughly 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, around 710,000 are returned to their owners but 390,000 are euthanized.
According to the ASPCA’s National Rehoming Survey, “pet problems” are the most common reason that forces owners give up their pet, accounting for 47% of rehomed dogs. (Pet problems were defined as problematic behaviors, aggressive behaviors, growing larger than expected, or health problems the owner couldn’t handle.
It’s better that a person puts more effort into determining if they’re ready to own a pet before getting one than contributing to the heartbreaking statistics.
As the story went viral, the woman provided more info in the comments
People supported her and congratulated her on a difficult situation well-handled
Some shared that they used a similar test before getting a pet
This was wonderful. She made sure they wouldn't neglect a pet! And if they were getting a non shedding dog, I cringed a little - it was probably going to be a poodle or poodle mix. Poodles are not for first timers or peoole that think dogs are "simple". They're too intelligent and need a lot of training and mental stimulation.
There are about 30 breeds that are considered non-shedding. My dachshund doesn't shed ever. She's a chill cuddle-bug who doesn't need long walks either. About 15 minutes running to fetch the toys I throw down the hall is enough for her!
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As a dog person (owner, sitter, trainer), good job. I have a dog. I love dogs. The more, the merrier. However, my 7yo wants a dog of her own. It's a hard no. Offered to teach her how to train her dog herself. She still hasn't reported for lessons. I'm not chasing her, because I'm not chasing her for the other stuff later. So it remains a no.
I was bullied into having two large dogs by my ex-ex, despite being allergic. She did not look after them. She thought they were cute. Till they peed in the house, pooped in the house, needed training and walking. Guess whose job that was? Yep, mine. Once they were big and dragged me down the street I said I am not walking them, because (a) they're too strong for me, and (b) you wanted them and (c) I am tired of getting hives and epipens. They became destructive and shredded the garden due to boredom. No, no money for dog walking service. Result: gave them away to a family that had the time and macho husband who was keen on it. This c**p went on for three years before I gave up. Never again, ever. Nothing against dogs, just that they are ACTUALLY a huge responsibility. Very similar to kids, minus the school fees.
Yes, in fact I'd say that most pets, if you are commited to giving them a good life, are way more responsibility than most people think. I cringe thinking back to my childhood hamsters. They had a horrible life and for what?
Load More Replies... This was wonderful. She made sure they wouldn't neglect a pet! And if they were getting a non shedding dog, I cringed a little - it was probably going to be a poodle or poodle mix. Poodles are not for first timers or peoole that think dogs are "simple". They're too intelligent and need a lot of training and mental stimulation.
There are about 30 breeds that are considered non-shedding. My dachshund doesn't shed ever. She's a chill cuddle-bug who doesn't need long walks either. About 15 minutes running to fetch the toys I throw down the hall is enough for her!
Load More Replies... As a dog person (owner, sitter, trainer), good job. I have a dog. I love dogs. The more, the merrier. However, my 7yo wants a dog of her own. It's a hard no. Offered to teach her how to train her dog herself. She still hasn't reported for lessons. I'm not chasing her, because I'm not chasing her for the other stuff later. So it remains a no.
I was bullied into having two large dogs by my ex-ex, despite being allergic. She did not look after them. She thought they were cute. Till they peed in the house, pooped in the house, needed training and walking. Guess whose job that was? Yep, mine. Once they were big and dragged me down the street I said I am not walking them, because (a) they're too strong for me, and (b) you wanted them and (c) I am tired of getting hives and epipens. They became destructive and shredded the garden due to boredom. No, no money for dog walking service. Result: gave them away to a family that had the time and macho husband who was keen on it. This c**p went on for three years before I gave up. Never again, ever. Nothing against dogs, just that they are ACTUALLY a huge responsibility. Very similar to kids, minus the school fees.
Yes, in fact I'd say that most pets, if you are commited to giving them a good life, are way more responsibility than most people think. I cringe thinking back to my childhood hamsters. They had a horrible life and for what?
Load More Replies...
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