The Second Key: You and Your Family
Knowing yourself and your household is essential to choosing the right pet.
The Second Key asks prospective pet owners to look honestly at themselves — their interests, their activity level, their personality, and their lifestyle — before deciding what kind of pet belongs in their home. But it doesn't stop there. Anyone who lives in the household on a regular basis is part of this equation too.
A pet that is a perfect fit for one person may be a poor fit for a household with young children, elderly family members, roommates, or other animals. Understanding the full picture of who lives in the home — and what each person is comfortable with — is one of the most important steps toward a successful, lasting relationship with a pet.
Open and honest conversation between all household members before a pet comes home can prevent a great deal of conflict later. When everyone understands the choice being made and agrees on expectations and responsibilities, the pet is far more likely to thrive — and so is the household.
The benefits of getting this right
Pets can bring tremendous value to a home — emotional support, companionship, and opportunities for shared activities like training, competition, 4-H or FFA programs, and more. But those benefits are most fully realized when the pet is genuinely a good match for the people it lives with. A mismatched pet creates stress for everyone, including the animal.
Choosing a pet that fits naturally into your home and lifestyle isn't just good for the pet — it's good for your own well-being too.
Questions to ask yourself and your household
Work through these honestly — and include everyone in the household in the conversation.
- What are your interests, hobbies, and activity level — and what kind of pet would complement that lifestyle?
- What types of animals are you genuinely comfortable living with — and which ones are you not?
- Does everyone in the household agree on the decision to bring a pet home?
- Do all household members agree on the type of pet, the rules, and the boundaries that will be set?
- Are there young children in the home, and have you considered how they will interact with the pet — and vice versa?
- Are there elderly family members or anyone with physical or cognitive challenges living in the home?
- Are there other pets already in the household, and how might they respond to a new animal?
- Who will be primarily responsible for the pet's daily care — and does that person fully understand and accept that responsibility?
- What do you hope this pet will add to your life and home — and are those expectations realistic?
Why this key matters
One of the most common reasons pets are relinquished to shelters is that they weren't the right fit for the household — not because anyone stopped caring, but because the match was never right to begin with. A high-energy dog in a quiet, low-activity home. A pet that triggers allergies no one knew about. An animal that doesn't do well with young children in a house full of them. These situations are painful for everyone, including the pet.
Taking the time to honestly assess your household before bringing a pet home — rather than after — is one of the most effective things a prospective owner can do to set that relationship up for success from the very beginning.
This resource is part of It's DogGone Awesome's Six Keys to a Successful Pet Relationship — a program designed to help people make thoughtful, informed decisions before bringing a pet home.