At some point, just about everyone in the household will have a turn at caring for the dog, and any resentment or reluctance can be a big problem for both you and the dog. And one thing breeders and rescuers all agree on: If there is a woman in the household, she must be on board with the decision!

Never get a dog hoping your wife (or husband) will warm up once she meets him. Chances are, a dog is going to be more trouble than you anticipate and she may well hate dog ownership even more than she expected! Instead, spend some time with other people's dogs, go to dog shows, performance events, dog parks...anywhere you can both learn more about them and decide whether you want to share your life with one. Trying to "sell" a spouse on dog ownership is okay; forcing it on anybody will almost surely backfire.

If you're getting a dog for your child, please consider that no child should ever be held entirely responsible for an animal's life. No matter how mature your child is and regardless of the promises you've received, the welfare of the dog will be ultimately your own responsibility. If you don't want a dog as much as the child does, please don't get one. Kids outgrow their interests, become absorbed in school (or the opposite sex!) and the dog your ten year old just had to have may well be forgotten along with the dolls or teddy bears by age 13.

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