Impulse Pet Purchases

Unlike a new flat screen TV or a maybe even a new car; a new pet should NOT be an impulse purchase. It amazes me how many people buy a pet simply because it’s the thing to do or because junior wants one. This is the best opportunity for parents to set an example for children, but far too few take the opportunity. Make your child research his or her pet choice and research it yourself. Make sure the pet has traits that are most likely to work for your family. In addition, let enough time pass to ensure this isn’t just a purchase of the moment selection and that your child or you truly have an interest in a particular animal.

Not that I agree with a lack of research on a small animal or a reptile, on the contrary, I think it’s extremely important. However, dealing with a bad decision on a smaller pet is much easier to deal with. Granted, you’ll still have to clean its cage regularly and give it food and water, but chances are you’ll be able to manage in even the worse case scenario. Meaning, I don’t see a gecko chewing apart your house or waking you up to go outside. That is NOT going to be the case with a dog. Dogs require an hour a day or more of play time and a half dozen or so trips outside per day. In addition, the monthly cost associated with a dog purchase is going to be far greater. There is food, heartworm pills, flea and tick control, and annual shots. That is of course if you are lucky to have a healthy dog. One major surgery and you could be out thousands of dollars. Moreover, you are bound to have a few mishaps or mistakes that could result in damaged furniture, carpet, or other household items. Still, people see a dog at a pet store and buy on impulse. This is just one of the reasons I don’t support pet stores selling dogs.

It’s shocking how uneducated some potential pet owners truly are. Picking a dog simply because “It’s cute” could become a true nightmare if you aren’t familiar with the breed. This holds most true for labs and Golden Retrievers. The Golden is a sporting breed that needs plenty of exercise. Moreover, Golden Retrievers are people dogs. They like to be around people and will consider most people an instant friend. In addition, they will want to be on your lap or by your side at all times. You’ll quickly realize that you have a second shadow. Someone really has to love dogs to own a Golden Retriever, because there will be no escaping the fact that you own one. This isn’t a breed that’s just going to lie down in the corner and sleep all day while you go about doing what you consider more important.

For a fan of the breed, the traits of a Golden Retriever are what lure many of us to the breed. However, if someone lacks patients or doesn’t understand the work involved in owning a Golden, they will quickly become frustrated. This is why nearly every county in every state has a Golden Retriever rescue. Far too many owners get in over their heads.

In summary, whether you are buying a gecko, a hamster, or even a rat be sure you research your pet prior to purchase. Even owning a fish tank requires some basic knowledge or you’ll find yourself with hefty losses and a forgettable experience. Every pet requires certain conditions that should be met. Skipping any part of their needs could result in problems. There are plenty free resources online. If you are thinking about a dog, or more specifically a Golden Retriever, then research is only part of the equation. Questions you may ask yourself:

• Do I have the room?
• Can I afford the food?
• Can I afford the vet bills?
• Do I have time to walk and play with him or her?
• Can I sacrifice a perfectly clean home?
• How active is the dog?
• How big does it get?
• Are there any good local breeders?
• Can I find my breed at a shelter or rescue?
• Will I be home or have someone available to let my dog out?
• I travel a lot, so is there any good local kennels and can I afford to keep my dog there?
• If something happens to me, who will take care of my dog?
• How will it be around children?
• Are there any local dog parks?

That was just a sample of the number of questions a potential dog owner should ask themselves. For Jenny and me, we wouldn’t trade our two boys for the world. There are many days when seeing our two Golden Retrievers is the highlight of our day. That said, owning these two dogs has been a life changer. Vacations become complicated, cleaning the house becomes an ongoing battle, and company has to be fair warned about the onslaught of attention they’ll get. Moreover, I’ve spent more time in the snow over the last six years than in my previous thirty. Rain, sleet, or snow these dogs still need to run. Again, I love every minute of it. My only true complaint about my two Goldens is that they don’t live longer. From my personal experience or from working in the pet industry, I like to share my knowledge and help someone get the best experience possible when considering a particular pet. Buying or adopting a pet should NEVER be an impulse decision. In addition, if you can’t tell your kids no, then there are larger issues at hand. Surely owning a pet will only complicate matters more. Educate yourself and your children before making that final decision. If you decide on a particular pet, then enjoy every minute of it, because their life with us is often far shorter than we wish it could be.