Being a Dog Owner Isn't Easy By: Sam Di Santi

 Being a Dog Owner Isn't Easy By: Sam Di Santi 

Introduction: 

    Almost everyone loves dogs, they are so cute and are somehow always happy. A majority of people have some sort of pet in their home, whether it be a dog, cat, reptile, hamster, fish, or other creature. What people don't realize is the amount of work that goes into raising a dog specifically. As my mom would say, they sure are cute but they're a lot of work. The thing about having a dog is they depend on you for everything. They can't speak for themselves, they can't feed themselves, they can't fight for themselves, you have to do all of that for them. When you get a dog, it's almost like bringing a newborn baby home, just furrier of course. I want to shed some light on what to think about before getting a dog because every dog deserves an owner that truly loves it. The best advice I could ever give is, please, don't get a dog if you're not ready. Dogs are basically people, they need to be treated with love and respect, and if you can't provide that you shouldn't have a dog. Getting a dog is a big deal, and all of the details should be considered before deciding to add another member to your family. 

My Credibility: 

    As most of you know by now, I have had 4 dogs in my life. There has been a dog in my house since I was in the womb, so I have experience with raising dogs and also them basically being  my siblings in a way. Duncan, Lily, Gus, and Rosie have all taught me different lessons in my life and I have no regrets about any one of them. However, I know the mistakes I've made and would like to shed some light on them, so you don't mess up in the same ways I did. This blog will mostly be focused on getting a puppy, and all the experiences that come with that, as well as the rest of a dog's life.

The Basic Necessities: 

    All dogs need basic necessities, below, I've attached the lists I made for Gus and Rosie before we took them home. In general, you'll need a dog crate for crate training, food and water bowls, collar, harness, leash, and treats. High quality leashes and harnesses are especially important for safety. No one wants a run away dog. You'll also need a good brand of dog food, toys, odor eliminator spray, puppy wipes, and a way to contain your puppy. We've always used a dog pen for the first weeks when they're too little to be alone unattended and phased it out as they got older to the point where they could be trusted. I have always been an advocate for crate training. Crate training is a method of dog training, it's when you use a crate to contain a dog. From the first day you bring your dog home, they will sleep in a crate or be in there when you can't watch them. Some people find crate training cruel, but I don't at all. Gus is 2.5 years old and he doesn't  need a crate anymore, he can be trusted around the house and doesn't cause much trouble. However, he still goes in his crate at times because it's like his den. It's his little home he can go in when he wants to rest or feel safe. Rosie is only 8 months old, so the crate is still a necessity for her, but she does the same thing. Rosie and Gus are out for the entire day, but they often go in their crates to settle down at night which is great for them. Crate training was probably the best decision I made in terms of my dogs, I know there's always a safe place I can put them when I'm not around. 

This was our shopping list for Gus.

This was our shopping list for Rosie, the bottom links are just various toy packs. 

The Drive Home with Your Dog: 

    Getting a new puppy can often be overwhelming. You leave the house with one or two dogs and come back with one more. It's tough, but there are things you can do beforehand to make this transition just a bit easier. Come to the breeder or shelter with supplies if it's going to be a long trip. We had to take a four-hour drive to and from Pennsylvania to pick up both Gus and Rosie, so we brought the basic necessities to tide them over. We brought their collar with the identification tag, leash, some toys for them to play with, water with a travel bowl, and a towel to wrap them in. I wouldn't recommend crating your dog on the way home from the breeder/shelter. They already are being taken away from an environment they've known their whole lives, so them being alone in the back of a car will make it a more uncomfortable experience for them. I attached the list of what I brought when we took Rosie home. 

The First Night: 

    The first night home with a puppy is often a bad experience for most people, but there are precautions you can take so it goes as smoothly as possible. With Rosie, I used calm puppy music to help her fall asleep. I put her away in her crate at around 10 PM after a long day of playing, I made sure to cut off the water at around 7 or 8 PM and no naps later in the day. I took her out one last time and then I put her in the crate, the room was pitch black and I put Gus in his crate right next to her so she didn't feel alone. I slept in the family room with Gus and Rosie, expecting her to wake up through the night. All puppies will likely wake up in the middle of the night to go out, Rosie was a big puppy, she tipped the scale at 13.5 lbs. When we first brought Gus home he was  around 10 lbs, the smaller the puppy, the smaller the bladder. Rosie was easier to deal with through the night because of this, she didn't need to get up as often.  I set alarms on my phone for every 2 hours, if I woke up and Rosie was fast asleep I just went back to sleep, and if she was already awake I'd take her out. This helped to prevent accidents overnight and her first night, overall, ran very smoothly. 

Lily & I when she first came home.

House Breaking a Dog:

    As far as during the day goes, with my adult dogs, my general rule is to take them out every 2 hours and cap water at around 9 PM. I take them out for the last time anywhere between 10 PM-12 AM depending on the time I plan to get up the next day. As far as potty training goes with a dog, I just made sure to take them out after they played a lot, after a nap, after they recently drank a lot of water, or if I forgot the last time I took them out. That rule of thumb often works for me, if you can't remember the last time you took out your dog, you should probably take them out. I would reward them every time they went to the bathroom and gave them a stern "no" when they had an accident. It worked well for both Gus and Rosie.  Often, dogs have accidents inside the house due to human error, not because it's their fault. 

Lily chilling under our freezer.

A Lifelong Commitment: 

    I'd say the hardest phases of life with dogs are when their puppies and when they get very old or sick. Taking care of a dog, even when they're older and more self-sufficient, is hard work. On school days, I get up between 5:45 AM-6:20 AM, I take out Rosie, feed her, and then take Gus out. I feed him and then I move Rosie's crate into the kitchen. She goes back to sleep and I play with her during breaks and when the school day ends. Gus stays with me in the family room most days and he alternates between sleeping and playing. Even when my dogs got older and more relaxed, my world still revolves around them. I wake up earlier because of them, I do the math to figure out the last time I took them out and when I should again, I manage how much food they get and if it should be more or less. I call the vet to make appointments to get their preventative medicine (Heartworm and Bravecto). This actually just came up in a conversation I had with my mom. We're going to my sister's apartment for New Year's Eve in a few days and I'm going to have to make sure they're fed and taken out before we leave. Any time I leave the house I have to factor them into that equation, any time I'm worried they could be sick I have to change up their diet or make a vet appointment. They are a lot of work and a big investment, but they are so worth it. 

Gus and Rosie sleeping while I do school

Duncan & Lily

Duncan resting

Dogs Get Sick and Old, and It's Awful: 

    Honestly, the puppy phase comes and goes, Rosie is 8 months old and that's so insane to me. She was a baby just yesterday and now she's a "real" dog. What's really hardest with a dog is when they get old and sick. Lily had issues, we still don't  know what killed her. What I do know is that for 3 months we were keeping her alive, and it was the hardest thing I've ever done. She was on 8 medications which I still have memorized, she got them at different times which I had memorized as well, she had special food whenever her stomach was upset or she couldn't handle the kibble, and we almost lost her many times. For a few weeks, she lived in our basement, where I slept on the pull-out couch and stayed with her. She'd wake up in the middle of the night crying and in pain and I'd be there to help her or give her pain medication. Thankfully, she got better and we were able to manage her illness for 3 months before she passed away. I am very thankful for those 3 months I got with her, she was sick, but she was happy and she got to do all of what she loved again. This is what I mean by advocating for your dog, I knew Lily wanted to live and the vet was recommending that we put her down. I was never selfish with Lily, if she was really done I would have let her go, and I eventually had to. However, I knew it wasn't her time yet and I fought for her, I kept her alive and it was hard, but seeing her play again, smile again, and do everything she loved made it worth it. This is what being a pet owner is, Lily relied on us, without us she would have died, without someone pulling for her she would have been helpless. If there's anything you get out of this blog, know this, when you get a dog you are committing from birth to death. You can't back out when it gets hard, you can't only take care of them when it's convenient for you. You are there for the long haul, and if you give up on them you are doing them a disservice. It doesn't just have to be when your dog is dying, Gus got neutered back in May and Rosie is getting spayed soon. Gus needed me, so I stayed with him and gave him his pain medication at the same time I was managing Lily's illness. I couldn't choose one over the other, I had to be there for both of them, and that's another aspect of pet ownership that isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Dogs get sick, dogs die, and it sucks, but I am thankful for the privilege of being able to take care of them and do right by them. This story wasn't meant to make you sad, it was just meant to point out that when you get a puppy you have to understand that your time with them is limited. When they inevitably get sick, you have to be there for them and do what's in their best interests, not your own. 

Lily and Rosie chilling on a sunny day. 

Gus & Lily sharing their bed. 

Lily & Rosie celebrating the 4th. 

Where my love for pets started.

My first best friend. 

Conclusion: 

    After reading this, I'm sure you can conclude that owning a pet isn't easy. From the puppy stage to old age, each period comes with its own set of unique challenges. I love these dogs with all my heart, and wouldn't change any of it for the world, but they are a big responsibility. Just getting the supplies for a dog can be stressful, let alone actually taking care of them. All of the decisions that have to be made when it comes to pet ownership are tough, but trust that you are doing what's best for your dog. The most important thing to remember is that you are your dog's provider. A domesticated dog cannot survive on its own, it needs you to keep them alive and love them. Caring for a dog is tough, but every minute has been worth it and has helped me to grow as a person. Getting a pet is a serious business, it's nothing to mess around with, so when you consider getting a dog think about all of it. Don't just think about the potty training and the sleepless nights, think about what happens when they get older or sick, think about all those years in between. Think about if you're ready for this, if you can really do right by your pet who loves you with all your heart. From their food to their health there is a lot to think about, take your time before you make your final decision. If you truly are ready, get ready for the journey of a lifetime. It comes with its highs and lows, but it has been the best experience of my life. My dogs are the best things that have ever happened to me, but the hardest thing I've ever worked for. However, I'm glad I thought it through before I made my final decision. Dogs deserve the best, and if you can't give that to them, then you don't deserve a dog. 

Rosie and I celebrating my birthday.

Gus and I celebrating my birthday.

Note: This blog was written in December and updated in February, when I mention New Year's Eve it's because this was written a few months ago. Thank you! :)