Shall we get a Puppy?
Prepare yourself

First of all, do some soul searching and ask yourself the following questions:
Do I have enough time to raise and train a puppy?
The little wee on the doormat may be funny when he is still a puppy but it is absolutely not amusing if he still does this as an adult dog. Training your puppy at an early age will be beneficiary to you and your dog. Most behaviour problems can be solved later in life, with some hard work and dedication, but it’s far better, easier, and cheaper just to get it right in the first place.
Can I afford to keep a dog?
Although this may seem a minor issue, having a pet is/can be costly.
First of all there are the feeding costs. The bigger the dog, the more food he needs, the higher the feeding costs will be. It all depends on the breed you choose.
Secondly, there are veterinary costs. Your dog needs to have a regular check up and vaccinations once a year, it needs micro-chipping (mandatory in the UAE) and should advisably be spayed/neutered. It also needs to be de-wormed 4 times a year and treated for ticks and fleas at least twice a year (depending on the product of your choice). So far we have only discussed maintenance costs. What if your dog gets ill or injured? Will you be able to afford this?
Thirdly, most dogs need to be groomed on a regular basis, depending on the breed this needs a professional touch and with this, another cost is created.
Then there are the costs for a pet sitter of boarding facility. Unless you have somebody at home who can take care of your dog while you are away, you need to take the costs for boarding/pet sitting into consideration. This easily adds up and can weigh heavily on your holiday budget.
Don’t forget the costs for the so called equipment like a bench or crate, dog bed, collar, leash, toys, feeding bowls, etc. Most pet shops have fantastic materials, building on your imagination and before you know it you walk out with a full bag and an empty wallet, ready for FUN! 
As mentioned earlier, a good and professional dog trainer is of utmost importance and this adds to your start up costs.
And last but not least, the initial costs for buying the puppy. Prices vary, depending on where you buy your puppy. A pet store is much more expensive than a local breeder or a charity organization. Do not forget to visit your veterinarian before buying a puppy. Vets are knowledgeable on the local pet market and know which shops work with the puppy’s future at heart respecting the very important fact that they work with living creatures!
Stay away from the local animal souq’s and avoid buying via the Internet! Whilst this might work for buying a car it is a disaster for the pets!
My family situation
It’s extremely important for you to consider every family member before you buy a dog or a puppy, so the dog can fit into the family's lifestyle and environment successfully. Some dog breeds are better with children, while some aren't as playful and tolerant as a child would need. Furthermore, if your family situation is going to change in the near future (a new baby for instance), bringing a dog into your family may not be the right time.
My living situation
All puppies grow up into adult dogs. Ask yourself if there is enough living space for your family and your dog once he has fully grown and what are the chances of you leaving the UAE in the near future? Can your dog come with you? Have you thought about these costs?
My daily routine/schedule
Will having a puppy fit into my daily schedule? Having a puppy/dog is hard work! Besides training your puppy, you will have to fit exercise/walking, feeding, grooming and playing into your daily routine. Does your schedule allow you to do this? You may be able to schedule everything in the early morning and late evening but keep in mind that a dog is a social animal, who does not want to be left alone all day/every day. If you have a full time job
and nobody is at home while you are at work, having a puppy is not a good idea!
The holidays
Do you have somebody looking after your pet when you are on holidays/away?
You can of course use the local boarding facilities or pet sitters but these services need to be booked well in advance. If you need to go away unexpectedly, is there a friend or family member lined up who welcomes the responsibility of looking after your dog?
We are by no means trying to talk you out of having a puppy however it is better to make these considerations before you get a puppy into your household than regret ever having one, later!
Remember, a dog can easily live up to 12-15 years and will always depend on you!
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