Thinking About Getting a Dog? Your Prep Work Today Shapes Your Relationship Tomorrow*
- Sep 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 24
Big idea: The choices you make before you bring a dog home can predict how happy you’ll both be later, and whether behavior issues pop up.
What the researchers did
A team in the Netherlands followed 193 future dog guardians over time. People filled out a survey before they got a dog (how confident they felt about training/care, what friends/family thought, what prep they were doing), and then again 6 months and 18 months after bringing a dog home. The goal: see which early mindset and prep habits were linked to later dog behavior, owner satisfaction, and perceived effort/cost.
The standout finding: confidence matters
People who started out feeling confident in their ability to train and care for a dog (psychologists call this self-efficacy) later reported:
Fewer behavior problems
Higher satisfaction with their dog
Lower perceived costs/effort of ownership
In short, believing you can do it often means you’ll put in the work and stick with it—leading to a better human–dog partnership.
Planning vs. impulse buying
How people prepared also mattered:
Helpful prep behaviors
Reading books about dogs and dog ownership
Talking with others (guardians, trainers, vets) about the realities and investments of dog life These folks were more likely to follow their original plan (e.g., breed/age/source) and felt lower costs at 6 months.
Risky prep behavior
Frequently browsing websites that sell or “offer” dogs This was linked to more plan changes (think: impulse buying), higher perceived costs at 18 months, and lower satisfaction with the dog.
Frequent doubt before getting a dog was tied to more inconsistency between the plan and the eventual purchase—another sign of impulse or last-minute decisions.
Social pressure cuts both ways
People who felt strong social norms (“my friends/family think I should get a dog”) were more likely to stick to their original plan, but high expectations of “all the advantages” sometimes did the opposite. Translation: encouragement helps—as long as you stay grounded and realistic.
A few extra patterns
Older owners and those with higher education levels tended to be more satisfied with their decision later.
Most participants initially planned a puppy from a breeder—and many followed through—but plans about the dog’s source (shelter vs. elsewhere) changed the most.
How to use this if you’re a future dog guardian
Build your confidence the right way (self-efficacy):
Take a foundations class or puppy prep workshop before adoption.
Shadow a positive, science-based trainer (ask to observe a lesson).
Practice core skills without a dog: reward timing, reading body language, setting household routines.
Slow down impulse buying:
Avoid late-night scrolls on “dogs for sale” sites. If you browse, set a waiting period (e.g., 72 hours) before contacting anyone.
Write your non-negotiables (age range, activity needs, size, health/temperament priorities) and stick to them.
Do the boring-but-essential prep:
Read one good book on dog behavior/training and one on breed traits or shelter selection.
Talk to two current dog guardians and one professional (trainer or vet) about costs, time, and lifestyle fit.
Make a pros/cons and budget list (training, food, insurance, vet care, grooming, daycare/boarding).
Check your expectations:
Ask: “What does a good day with a dog look like for me—and for the dog?” If the answers align, you’re on the right track.
The Human Dog Harmony takeaway
A healthy, happy relationship isn’t luck—it’s preparation + realistic expectations + skills you can learn. If you invest in your knowledge before you bring a dog home, you’re far more likely to enjoy a smoother transition, fewer behavior issues, and a stronger bond.
Additional resources
Creating harmony through science-based training and care.
*Source: Bouma, E. M. C., Vink, L. M., & Dijkstra, A. (2020). Social-cognitive processes before dog acquisition associated with future relationship satisfaction of dog owners and canine behavior problems. Anthrozoös, 33(5), 635–652. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2020.1795614
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