As a general rule, an adult dog will require less time than a puppy, and the time requirements will lessen slightly as you and the dog establish a routine. Different breeds and personalities require varying amounts of time–some dogs require more grooming than others, and some are just more emotionally needy.

If you work outside the home and you get a puppy, will you be able to come home at lunch to take her out and feed her...or do you know someone who can? (If you adopt an adult dog, this may or may not be an issue.)

Doing your dog chores will take 15 minutes to half an hour in the morning, and that's assuming you don't have a mess to clean up from the night before!

When you get home in the afternoon, you'll want to spend at least half an hour or so with the dog. In her mind, you have been gone forever, and she needs some attention.

Plan on at least another hour every day, perhaps spread out over the evening. She'll need to be fed and taken out regularly and even if you don't plan to formally train, you'll definitely have to spend some time teaching her house manners.

Are you prepared to give up some of your social life at night and on weekends to spend time with your dog? Leaving her alone frequently for extended periods of time may lead to serious behavior problems. Dogs are social creatures and don't do well when forced into solitude.

If your dog is ill or has an accident, will you be able to take off time from work to get her to the vet or care for her at home?

Do you have the extra time it takes to clean nose prints off windows and tables, and vacuum more often? Scoop poop in the back yard and fill in the holes he digs?

Having a dog can add anywhere from an hour to several hours a week to your housecleaning time. Petdogs-L members estimate the time they spend with their dogs to be anywhere from 15-35 hours a week. Realistically, some of this time you can be doing other things also--watch TV while you brush the dog, do some training while you prepare dinner, walk the dog on the way out to get the mail.

The shelter worker hears over and over, "We just don't have time for him any more." Be sure before you take your dog home that you are able and willing to make time for him. Not just now, but for as long as he lives!
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