Just like having children, there is never a "good time" to get a dog — and I use that same saying for several reasons.

Below are three easy ways to decide whether you are ready for a dog. They aren't the only things that matter, but they're the ones that catch most people out.

A dog isn't a decision for a week — it's a decision for the next decade or more.

1. Time

Have you done your research? What breed? What would suit your family, and is your house big enough? What type of dog are you realistically able to take care of?

Having a dog will take up extra time out of every single day. Ask yourself honestly:

• Do you have time to exercise your dog — an average of two walks a day?
• Do you have time for training and socialising?
• If you work full time, have you thought about your dog being home alone all day?
• Will you ask a neighbour or friend to help, or pay for a dog sitter or day care?

Two walks a day, every day — in every kind of weather.

2. Finances

The running costs of a dog add up quickly, and they don't stop:

• Veterinary care — yearly vaccinations plus flea and worm treatment every three months
• Insurance — a must. If your dog needs medical assistance, whether from an accident or a lifelong condition such as allergies or skin issues, insurance is what stands between you and a very difficult decision
• Food — there are endless options, and I can guarantee the food you would prefer to buy doesn't come into it. Every dog is different and every dog's needs are different, and your wallet can be hit hard
• Old age — as dogs get older they often cost more at the vet, with issues such as heart conditions or eye problems

3. Patience

Settled and content — but it takes time to get here.

Whether you adopt or buy, and whether you get a puppy or an older dog, it makes no difference: you have to be patient. No dog is fully trained.

Your new dog needs time to get used to its new environment and its new family, which means you need patience for the mishaps along the way — house training accidents, destructive behaviour and barking among them.

The Bottom Line

A lot more goes into deciding whether you are ready for a dog. But if these first three are a struggle for you, then I wouldn't recommend getting one just yet.