Every dog starts as somebody’s new addition.
Bringing a dog into your life is exciting. There’s so much to look forward to, from getting to know their personality to all the little routines and moments that eventually become part of everyday family life.
But there’s a lot to think about, too.
Which dog is right for you? What do you actually need before they arrive? How do you know whose advice to trust? And what happens when things don’t quite go according to plan?
It’s easy to find information about dogs. Finding information that answers your questions clearly, without leaving you with another twenty things to worry about, can be a different matter.
Meet the dogs behind The Doggie Addition
You might have noticed a few familiar furry faces appearing throughout the website. They’re not just photographs we’ve picked to illustrate our pages. They’re real dogs who belong to me and my family.
There’s Dottie, my own little companion, and Bailey, who sadly is no longer with us but will always be part of our family. Then there’s Maple and Willow, who belong to one of my sisters, and Bowly, who belongs to another.
They’re all part of the story behind The Doggie Addition, and I thought it would be nice to introduce you to the dogs whose faces you’ll see as you explore the website.
Why I created The Doggie Addition
Before Bailey and Dottie came into my life, I’d always had cats. I wasn’t an experienced dog owner, and I certainly didn’t know everything there was to know about bringing a dog into the family.
I had questions. Lots of them.
Some were about the big decisions, like choosing the right dog and understanding the commitment involved. Others were about ordinary everyday things that might seem obvious to someone who’s had dogs for years.
And, of course, having a dog doesn’t mean the questions suddenly stop.
As you get to know each other, new situations come along. You learn what works, what doesn’t, and sometimes discover that the advice you’ve been given doesn’t quite fit the dog sitting in front of you.
Dottie is seven now, and even after all these years of having dogs in my life, I’m still learning. In fact, while researching and putting this website together, I’ve discovered quite a few things I didn’t know myself. Some genuinely surprised me, particularly when it came to everyday foods that can be harmful to dogs. Things I would never have thought twice about before.
It’s made me realise that however long you’ve had a dog, there’s always something new to learn. And if I’ve discovered things I didn’t know after all these years, I’m sure there are plenty of other dog owners who might find that information useful too.
Sadly, Bailey is no longer with us, and losing him was incredibly difficult. We discovered that he had diabetes, something we hadn’t been aware of, and looking back, I sometimes wonder whether more regular health checks might have helped us recognise that something wasn’t right sooner.
It’s one of those experiences that stays with you. It’s also made me much more aware of the importance of preventative care. Dottie now has regular veterinary checkups as part of her healthcare plan, and I feel reassured knowing we’re keeping a closer eye on her health as she gets older.
Losing a dog is something none of us ever wants to think about, but sadly, it’s part of sharing our lives with them. They give us so much happiness, and saying goodbye is one of the hardest things we face as owners.
I wanted to create the sort of website I would have found useful myself. Somewhere you could explore a subject properly, understand the things worth considering and come away feeling a little more confident about your next decision.
Not a website that assumes you already know everything. And not one that makes you feel you should.
How we approach our advice
Good advice should help you make a decision, not make the decision for you.
That’s an important part of what The Doggie Addition is about.
We’re not here to pretend to be vets, dog trainers or behaviourists. Those professionals have knowledge and experience that a website cannot replace, and there are times when speaking to one of them is exactly the right thing to do.
Our role is different.
We look at the questions people actually ask, research the subjects carefully and aim to explain what we’ve found in a way that’s practical and easy to understand.
That means looking beyond the obvious answers, acknowledging when circumstances differ and being clear about when professional guidance matters.
It also means recognising that there isn’t always one perfect answer for every dog or every household.
What suits one family may not suit another. A product that makes life easier for one dog might be completely unnecessary for yours.
Useful information. Clear choices. Your decision.
More than just getting a dog
The Doggie Addition begins with those early questions about whether a dog is right for you, but it doesn’t stop there.
You’ll find guidance on choosing responsibly, preparing your home, settling in together, training, behaviour, everyday care and wellbeing.
There are also practical checklists, resources and interactive tools designed to help you think things through and keep useful information to hand.
Our Product Guides follow the same approach. The aim is to help you understand what something does, whether you actually need it and what to look for before spending your money.
Some recommendations may include affiliate links, which can help support the website. But a commission should never be the reason for recommending something unsuitable or unnecessary.
The dog’s wellbeing and the usefulness of the information come first.
From new addition to part of the family
Of course, living with a dog is about much more than researching food, choosing equipment or learning training techniques.
It’s muddy walks and favourite sleeping spots. Little successes that make you ridiculously pleased. Things that go wrong, things you laugh about afterwards and the occasional unexpected bill you’d rather not have had.
It’s discovering your dog’s habits, learning to understand each other and gradually building a life together.
And somewhere along the way, the dog you once spent so much time preparing for becomes such a familiar part of your days that you can hardly imagine home without them.
That’s the journey The Doggie Addition is here to support.
From new addition to part of the family.