Ready Or Not: Is your family ready?

Are you planning to have a baby within your dog's lifetime? Yes
No

If you have children, how old are they? I have children younger than 8.
All my children are 8 and older.
There are no children living in my home.

dogs versus kids

Babies and toddlers can't be trained as easily as dogs, which is why many experts recommend waiting until children are 8 and older before bringing a canine into the mix. If you're set on getting a dog and have small children in the house, consider adopting an easygoing adult dog who'll need less attention than a growing puppy.

Who'll be your dog's primary caretaker? Me
My partner
My children

don't blame the kids

Unless you answer "me" or "my partner," think twice about getting a dog. Many of the dogs surrendered to shelters are there because the children were supposed to take care of them but the lines of responsibility, like whose turn it was to feed and walk him, were murky.

Does everyone in your family want a dog? Yes
No

unanimous decision

Make sure you're together on this one. Dogs shed, bark, and can be messy, and unless you're all fond of your dog, it's easy for resentment to build. It also makes it hard to set, and enforce, house rules you can all agree on, like whether the dog can join you on the couch.

Is anyone in your family allergic to animals? Yes
No
I don't know

dogs are animals too

The best way to predict whether you'll be allergic to a dog is to know whether you're prone to airborne allergies -- that's a sign you're likely to be susceptible to dog allergies as well. But the only true test is to spend time with the dog and see how you react.

Is it time to get a dog? Find out!

Is your family ready?