Boxer dog destroys leather chair. Photo: delectus (Getty).
It can be so tempting to want to get a dog when you see a cute ad for them or you walk through a shelter and make eye contact with what you think is the puppy of your dreams. While I fully support adopting from your local shelter, there are a lot of things you should take into account before falling in love with one and bringing it into your home. Sure, you’ll be able to get some new followers and likes on Instagram, but is that really worth having to completely change virtually every single aspect of your life? Seriously, it’s going to affect your work, your personal life, your relationships, and your leisure activities. It’s like having a baby, except you won’t go to jail if it happens to slip out of your arms while you’re carrying it around your living room.
So, is a dog right for you? Before you decide for certain, take a look at these 10 reasons why you shouldn’t buy a dog. From there, you can come to a clearheaded conclusion on the matter.
10 Reasons Buying A Dog Is A Bad Idea
Also: Mom Puts Up Camera To Spy On Hers Dogs, Instantly Regrets Her Decision After Discovering They’re Horny As Hell
Reasons Why You Shouldn't Buy A Dog
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It's Expensive
Sure, you get something that's going to love and cuddle you, but you also have to buy it food, treats, supplies, and vet visits. You'll end up with more vet bills for your dog than you have medical bills for yourself and, worst of all, there's no Obamacare for dogs.
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They Die
No matter how much you take care of your special little pal, he's going to die and he's going to do it relatively soon. At least with kids, there's a good chance they'll outlive you, but with a dog, you could experience that heartbreak MULTIPLE times throughout your life.
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No More Sleeping In
It doesn't matter what time you got in last night, because your dog is going to have to pee at 6am and you're either going to have to get up and take him out or clean up a puddle in the middle of your living room.
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Your Rent Goes Up
Not only does your shopping list go up when you get a dog, but even your rent will increase. If you don't own your home, you're going to be putting down a bigger deposit and paying more per month. From a rent perspective, it's actually cheaper to have a baby than a dog.
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Traveling Is Tough
You can't just book a last minute trip, decide to stay over at someone's house, or even work late because your poor dog has been sitting in front of the door banging an empty food bowl against the wall waiting for you to get home. Your life literally revolves around them.
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The Barking
There is a chance that your dog will alert you of an intruder, but 99 percent of the time, they'll just start barking in the most loud, insane way possible because a leaf fell on the window or a child whispered two miles away. That's always a treat at 3 AM.
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Sexually Distracting
It's difficult enough to get the mood set properly for love making, but now factor in a barking dog that's scratching at the side of the bed because he wants to see what you guys are doing. Doesn't that sound romantic and fulfilling?
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You Have Carpet
If there's a single room in your house that has carpet, at some point your dog is going to walk into that room and poop or pee on the floor. Now you have a permanent urine-stained reminder of that moment that vastly improves the resale value of your home. Congratulations!
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They Could Bite
Even the most relaxed, well-mannered dog can have one of those moments where he decides he's had enough of someone and snaps at them. After all, it is an animal, and if he hurts someone, you're going to be on the hook for it.
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The Walks
At first you'll love taking your dog out for a stroll. And then it'll start to get old. And then you'll have to do it in the rain, at night, when it's snowing, when you're tired, when you're in the middle of a movie, and so on. That's when you realize you've made a terrible, awful mistake getting a dog.
