Things to consider when considering a dog?

[Anonymous]

Dogs are so much work. They need so much attention. You have to work so hard to find a safe place for them when you go away. So needy.

Get a cat.

[Anonymous]

The relationship our dog and teen have makes the hard work worth it. The affection and fun, it’s great to see.

[Anonymous]

Whatever level of work/effort you believe owning a dog will take, double it - and decide if you are really ok with that.

Consider the cost, which can be extensive (and bigger dogs = more food, more expensive grooming bills, sometimes more expensive to board...). Don't get a breed prone to health issues if you can't afford to manage those issues financially.

[Anonymous]

I went a similar period of time between dogs and honestly I regret getting the dog. The first dog had very few behavior issues and was extremely easy. The second dog is the same breed but has anxiety and often will not do basic things like go out or go for walks. The second dog is overall a great dog, but the anxiety and related behaviors are frustrating.

The other issue is the complete loss of freedom. After 15+ years it's hard to go back to planning daily and special occasion activities around the dog's needs. For example, with no dog I could be gone from early morning to late at night or take a spontaneous weekend getaway. That's possible with a dog, but it's not as easy and could incur extra expense if using a dog sitter or kennel.

OP might not have a similar experience at all and seems to be in a good life situation to get a dog.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the person who said to research the breed and get the right dog for you. The two dogs we have now, who came from the pound, were the most difficult to train of all the dogs we've had, although they're perfect now.

Until my pony became geriatric, the dogs were more expensive than the equines.

Leaving town isn't really a problem for us. Our neighbor can usually dog sit, and if she can't, Trusted Housesitters is a good option. There are others, too that specialize in animal care.

[Anonymous]

It takes a lot of time, expense and planning, but obviously it’s worth it for many families. We lived abroad in 3 countries with our last dog and I would estimate that we spent about 50k in boarding fees and travel fees over 10 years and I might be underestimating. We are planning to get a puppy in 6 months and I am mentally preparing to set aside a LOT of time, patience, and money. Vet bills, puppy class, toys, training treats, food, dog walkers, boarding, etc. We are going with a local breeder so that we can board him there if need be. It probably won’t be cheaper, but it will be a familiar and safe environment.