Thinking About Getting a Dog? The Work You Do Before Bringing One Home Matters
Updated: Sep 15
Bringing a dog into your life is exciting. It can also be surprisingly easy to get swept up in the moment, a photo of an adorable puppy, a shelter dog whose story pulls at your heart, or a dog who suddenly becomes available and seems too perfect to pass up.
But some of the most important decisions you'll make about your future relationship with your dog happen before your dog ever walks through your front door.
A growing body of research suggests that what prospective dog guardians know, expect, and do before acquiring a dog may influence what happens afterward. Preparation has been associated with greater knowledge about canine welfare, more realistic expectations about the costs of dog ownership, knowing where to seek appropriate behavioral help, and greater satisfaction with the human-dog relationship.
In other words, preparing for a dog isn't just about buying a crate, choosing a veterinarian, and stocking up on food. It is also about preparing yourself.
What Research Tells Us About Preparing for a Dog
One of the earlier studies examining this question followed 193 prospective dog guardians in the Netherlands. In the 2020 study published in Anthrozoös, Bouma, Vink, and Dijkstra surveyed people before they acquired a dog and again approximately six and 18 months afterward.
Before bringing their dogs home, participants were asked about their expectations, preparation, confidence in their ability to care for and train a dog, social influences, and how they were going about finding their future dog.
Researchers then examined how those factors were associated with later outcomes, including satisfaction with the human-dog relationship, reported behavior problems, and the perceived costs and effort associated with dog ownership.
One factor that stood out was self-efficacy, essentially, a person's belief in their ability to successfully care for and work with a dog.
People who reported greater self-efficacy before acquiring their dogs later tended to report fewer behavior problems, greater satisfaction with their dogs, and lower perceived costs associated with dog ownership.
Importantly, this research shows associations, not proof that confidence itself causes better outcomes. And simply telling yourself, “I've got this,” isn't the same thing as being prepared.
Healthy confidence is different from overconfidence.
Useful self-efficacy comes from knowledge, practical skills, realistic expectations, and knowing where to turn when you need help. Someone who understands canine body language, reinforcement, enrichment, management, and normal dog behavior may be better equipped to respond when their new dog inevitably does something unexpected.
And almost every dog eventually will.
Newer Research Strengthens the Case for Doing Your Homework
Research published since the original 2020 study adds another important piece to the picture: the amount and quality of research people do before getting a dog matters.
A 2024 study by Holland and colleagues analyzed data from 1,814 UK dog guardians and examined relationships between pre-purchase research, guardian knowledge and understanding, ownership practices, and dog welfare.
People who reported doing more research before getting their dogs were more likely to feel informed about dogs' five welfare needs, have a realistic understanding of the lifetime financial cost of dog ownership, and know where to seek appropriate help for behavioral problems.
That last point is especially important.
Only about 31% of respondents accurately estimated the lifetime cost of dog ownership, and among respondents asked about behavioral advice, only 37% identified an appropriate initial source such as a veterinarian or behaviorist. The researchers were careful to note that they did not find strong connections among all of the variables they examined, so preparation should not be treated as a guarantee of good welfare outcomes. But the associations between doing more research and having better knowledge are meaningful.
Another 2024 study by Mead and colleagues provides insight into what prospective guardians actually research.
Using survey data from thousands of current and prospective UK dog guardians, along with interviews, researchers found that people looked for information about breeds and types of dogs, the requirements of dog ownership, whether a particular dog would suit their circumstances, and how and where to acquire a dog.
Among current guardians who had sought information or advice before acquisition, 76% used websites, 70% consulted family or friends, and 51% used online forums. Most reported finding the information they wanted, but some encountered conflicting information and weren't sure which sources they could trust.
That introduces an important distinction:
Doing research matters, but so does the quality of the information you're using.
Preparation Is More Than Shopping for Dog Supplies
The earlier Bouma study found similar patterns. People who read books about dogs and talked with other people about dog ownership were more likely to follow through with their original plans regarding the type of dog they wanted. They also reported lower perceived costs during the early months of dog ownership.
Talking to experienced dog guardians, qualified trainers and behavior professionals, veterinarians, responsible breeders, foster families, or knowledgeable shelter professionals can help replace an idealized picture of dog ownership with a more realistic one.
You begin asking better questions.
How much exercise will this dog actually need? How much training can I realistically provide? What are the dog's needs for mental enrichment and social interaction? Can I afford routine and emergency veterinary care? What happens when I travel? Am I comfortable living with shedding, barking, mud, adolescence, house-training accidents, or a dog who requires significantly more behavioral support than I anticipated?
Those questions aren't meant to discourage someone from getting a dog.
They're meant to help you choose a dog whose needs fit the life you can actually provide.
Research Breed—but Don't Stop at Breed
Breed research can be valuable. Humans have selectively bred dogs for generations for physical and behavioral characteristics, and understanding a breed's history and typical characteristics can help prospective guardians ask better questions.
But breed should be one part of your decision, not the entire decision.
The 2024 research from Mead and colleagues highlights an important problem with relying too heavily on breed labels when assessing suitability. Their interviews found examples of prospective guardians using generalized breed characteristics, such as assumptions about whether a breed was suitable for children, to help make acquisition decisions. The researchers cautioned that such generalizations can be problematic because behavioral characteristics vary among individual dogs.
That means choosing a dog shouldn't be reduced to finding a list titled “10 Best Dog Breeds for Families” or “Best Dogs for Active People.”
Two dogs of the same breed can differ considerably in confidence, sociability, arousal, fearfulness, motivation, activity level and behavior. Genetics matter, but so do early development, learning, socialization, health, environment and individual experience.
A more useful question is not simply:
“What breed is right for me?”
It is:
“What characteristics do I need in an individual dog for us to thrive together?”
Then breed, genetics, developmental history, temperament and the individual dog can all become pieces of that larger decision.
[Learn more: How to Choose a Dog Based on Your Lifestyle and Temperament →]
The Risk of Falling in Love With a Photo
The original Bouma study also produced an especially interesting finding about frequently browsing websites offering dogs.
People who did so were more likely to change their original acquisition plans. This behavior was also associated with greater perceived costs later and lower satisfaction with the dog at 18 months.
That doesn't mean searching for dogs online is inherently problematic. Today, shelters, responsible breeders, and rescue organizations all use the internet to connect dogs with prospective homes.
The important distinction is between researching deliberately and shopping emotionally.
A photograph can make you fall in love with a dog in seconds. It can not tell you whether that dog's temperament, genetics, developmental history, exercise requirements, health risks, grooming needs, or behavior are compatible with your life.
That's why deciding what you need in a dog before you start looking at individual dogs can be so valuable.
Know Your Non-Negotiables Before You Start Looking
Before contacting a shelter, rescue group, or breeder, write down what you realistically want, and what you can realistically manage.
Consider age, expected adult size, activity level, arousal, sociability, grooming requirements, potential health concerns, prey or chase tendencies, training needs, and compatibility with children, dogs, cats, or other animals already living in your home.
Then consider yourself just as carefully.
How many hours will the dog routinely spend alone? Do you genuinely enjoy long walks and training, or would you prefer a dog who is happy with a quieter lifestyle? Are you interested in dog sports, hiking, therapy work, or primarily companionship? Can you manage a puppy who needs frequent bathroom breaks, supervision, socialization, and months of foundational training? Would an adolescent, adult, or senior dog actually fit your life better?
There is no universally “best” dog.
There is a dog who is a better or worse match for a particular person, household and lifestyle.
Be Willing to Walk Away
This may be one of the hardest parts of responsibly choosing a dog.
Sometimes you find a dog you desperately want, but the information you gather tells you the match isn't right.
Walking away in that situation isn't a failure. It may be one of the most responsible decisions you can make for yourself and for the dog.
Give yourself time between discovering a dog and committing whenever circumstances allow. Go back to the criteria you established before emotion entered the equation.
Ask yourself:
“If I hadn't seen this dog's photograph or heard this dog's story, would I still believe these characteristics were a good fit for my household?”
That question can be remarkably clarifying.
Prepare for the Dog You Might Actually Bring Home
Before your dog arrives, learn some basic training and behavior skills yourself.
You don't have to become a dog trainer. But understanding reinforcement, management, canine body language, enrichment, decompression, and realistic learning expectations can make those first weeks much easier for both of you.
The 2024 research makes knowing where to get help part of this preparation, too. The internet gives prospective guardians access to an enormous amount of information, but that information varies considerably in quality. Mead and colleagues specifically identified conflicting advice and uncertainty about trustworthy sources as challenges prospective dog guardians encountered during their research.
Identify a qualified, science-based trainer or behavior professional before you need one. Learn what credentials actually mean, what training methods a professional uses, and when a behavior concern should involve your veterinarian or a veterinary behavior specialist.
[Learn more: How to Find a Qualified Dog Trainer—and Red Flags to Avoid →]
Have Honest Conversations About Money and Time
The purchase or adoption fee is only the beginning of the financial commitment.
Before getting a dog, consider routine veterinary care, emergency veterinary expenses, food, preventive medications, training, grooming, equipment, pet insurance, boarding, daycare, dog walkers, and any specialized care your dog may eventually require.
This is an area where prospective guardians can easily underestimate reality.
The 2024 study of 1,814 UK guardians found that fewer than one-third of respondents gave a realistic estimate of the lifetime cost of dog ownership. Those who had conducted more research before acquiring their dogs, however, were more likely to have realistic expectations about those costs.
Time deserves the same consideration.
Dogs don't simply occupy space in our homes. They require interaction, exercise, enrichment, training, veterinary care, and companionship. Puppies and newly adopted dogs can require considerably more time during their first weeks and months.
A realistic dog-ownership budget should therefore include both money and time.
Choose the Source as Carefully as You Choose the Dog
Once you've determined what type of dog may fit your life, consider where that dog will come from just as carefully.
If you're purchasing a puppy, research the breeder, not simply the breed. Responsible breeding involves much more than producing registered puppies. Health testing, temperament, early development, transparency, appropriate placement, and a breeder's willingness to remain responsible for the dogs they produce all matter.
If you're considering adoption, investigate the rescue organization or shelter. Ask how dogs are evaluated, what medical and behavioral information is provided to adopters, how potential matches are made, and what happens if the placement doesn't work.
A responsible breeder, shelter, or rescue organization should want the placement to succeed. Sometimes that means telling a prospective guardian that a particular dog isn't the right match.
That can be disappointing.
It can also prevent years of stress for both a person and a dog.
The Human Dog Harmony Takeaway
A strong human-dog relationship doesn't begin on adoption day or the day you bring your puppy home.
It begins while you're deciding whether to get a dog at all.
The 2020 Bouma study suggested that self-efficacy and thoughtful preparation before acquiring a dog were associated with later aspects of the human-dog relationship. More recent research adds to that picture by showing associations between greater pre-acquisition research and better understanding of canine welfare needs, ownership costs, and where to seek behavioral help. Research also shows that prospective guardians actively seek information about breeds, suitability, ownership requirements and sourcing—but can struggle to determine which information is trustworthy.
The science doesn't tell us that preparation guarantees the perfect dog or a problem-free relationship.
No amount of research can completely predict another living being.
Dogs are individuals. Genetics, breed-related tendencies, early development, health, learning, environment and life experiences can all influence who that dog becomes.
But preparation allows you to make a decision based on more than a photograph, an emotional story, a breed stereotype, or an impulse.
So before choosing your future companion, invest some time in becoming the person that dog will need.
Learn. Ask questions. Examine your lifestyle honestly. Establish your non-negotiables. Research the individual dog and where that dog comes from. Understand the financial and time commitment. Identify qualified professionals you can turn to for help.
You're not simply choosing a dog.
You're choosing a relationship that may last well over a decade.
Giving that decision the thought it deserves is one of the first things you can do for the dog you haven't even met yet.
And that's where human-dog harmony really begins.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a Dog
What should I do before getting a dog?
Before getting a dog, research the time, financial, training, exercise, grooming, and veterinary-care commitments involved. Think carefully about your lifestyle and identify the characteristics you need in a dog, including age, size, activity level, temperament, sociability, and training needs. You should also research where your dog will come from and identify a qualified veterinarian and science-based trainer or behavior professional before you need them.
How do I know what type of dog is right for me?
Start with your actual lifestyle rather than appearance or a favorite breed. Consider how much time you have for exercise, training, enrichment, grooming, and companionship. Think about your household, other pets, children, work schedule, activity level, experience with dogs, and what you hope to do with your dog.
Breed-related tendencies can provide useful information but breed alone does not determine an individual dog's behavior. Temperament, genetics, early development, health, learning, and life experiences all matter.
How important is research before getting a dog?
Research before acquiring a dog can be very valuable. A 2024 study of 1,814 UK dog guardians found that people who reported doing more pre-acquisition research were more likely to understand dogs' welfare needs, have realistic expectations about the lifetime costs of dog ownership, and know where to seek appropriate help for behavioral problems.
Research can not guarantee a successful match, but it can help you make a more informed decision and prepare for the realities of living with a dog.
Should I choose a dog based on breed or temperament?
Consider both, but don't assume that breed alone will tell you how an individual dog will behave. Breed history and genetics can provide useful information about tendencies that have been selected over generations, but there can also be substantial variation among individual dogs.
Look at the individual dog's temperament, developmental and behavioral history when available, age, health, energy and arousal levels, sociability, and other characteristics alongside what is known about the dog's breed or ancestry.
Is getting a puppy better than adopting an adult dog?
Neither is inherently better. The best choice depends on your lifestyle, experience, expectations, and the individual dog.
Puppies require significant supervision, socialization, house training, management, and foundational training. An adult dog may have a more established temperament and behavior pattern, which can sometimes make assessing compatibility easier, although adult dogs can also require training and adjustment when entering a new home.
Instead of asking whether a puppy or adult dog is universally better, ask which developmental stage you are realistically prepared to live with and support.
Should I adopt from a shelter or rescue or buy from a breeder?
A responsible breeder, ethical rescue organization, and well-managed animal shelter can all be potential sources of dogs. The important question is whether the organization or breeder prioritizes the health, welfare, temperament, and appropriate placement of its dogs.
If you're considering adoption, read our guide to choosing an ethical shelter or rescue organization.
If you're considering a breeder, investigate health testing, temperament, breeding practices, puppy development and socialization, living conditions, contracts, placement practices, and what responsibility the breeder takes for dogs throughout their lives.
What are the biggest mistakes people make before getting a dog?
Common mistakes include choosing primarily on appearance, making an impulsive decision after seeing a particular dog, underestimating costs and time commitments, relying too heavily on breed stereotypes, failing to research the source of the dog, and assuming behavior problems will simply work themselves out.
Another mistake is waiting until a serious behavior problem develops before looking for professional help. Knowing where to find qualified training and behavioral support before your dog arrives can make it easier to intervene early when concerns arise.
How much does it really cost to own a dog?
The cost extends far beyond the initial adoption or purchase fee. Dog guardians should plan for food, routine veterinary care, preventive medications, equipment, training, grooming when needed, licensing, boarding or pet care, and unexpected veterinary expenses.
Costs vary considerably depending on the dog's size, age, health, location, and individual needs. Rather than relying on one universal dollar figure, create a realistic annual budget and include an emergency-care plan.
Should I find a dog trainer before bringing my dog home?
It can be very helpful. A qualified, science-based trainer can help you prepare your home, establish realistic expectations, develop routines, and understand basic learning and canine body language before problems develop.
This can be especially valuable for first-time dog guardians, people bringing home a puppy, or anyone adopting a dog whose history or behavioral needs may require additional support.
Not everyone who calls themselves a dog trainer has the same education, qualifications, or methods, so it's important to evaluate trainers carefully.
What questions should I ask before choosing a specific dog?
Ask about the dog's health, temperament, behavioral and developmental history, activity level, sociability, previous living environment, comfort around people and other animals, and any known training or behavior concerns.
Then ask yourself an equally important question:
Can I realistically meet this particular dog's needs—not just today, but for the rest of their life?
Can preparation prevent behavior problems?
Preparation can not guarantee that a dog will never develop a behavior problem. Behavior is influenced by genetics, early development, health, environment, learning, experiences, and the interaction between the dog and their environment.
Preparation can, however, give guardians better tools for recognizing behavior, managing the environment, teaching appropriate skills, setting realistic expectations, and seeking qualified help when necessary.
How far in advance should I prepare before getting a dog?
There is no single required timeline, but preparation should begin before you start seriously considering individual dogs. Research your lifestyle needs, financial commitment, dog behavior and training, potential breeds or types of dogs, and ethical sources first.
Creating your criteria before you fall in love with a particular dog can help you make a more deliberate decision rather than changing your requirements to fit the dog you've already decided you want.
References
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
Holland, K. E., Mead, R., Casey, R. A., Upjohn, M. M., & Christley, R. M. (2024). What do we know about dog owners? Exploring associations between pre-purchase behaviours, knowledge and understanding, ownership practices, and dog welfare. Animals, 14(3), 396. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14030396
Mead, R., Holland, K. E., Casey, R. A., Upjohn, M. M., & Christley, R. M. (2024). UK dog owners' pre-acquisition information- and advice-seeking: A mixed methods study. Animals, 14(7), 1033. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071033
Creating harmony through science-based training and care.
About the Author
Erin McGlynn is the founder of Human Dog Harmony, where she blends evidence-based behavior science with emotionally connected training to help dogs and humans build calm, resilient partnerships; especially through grief, illness, and life transitions.
Read Erin’s full story → About Erin
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