Your ordinary Tuesday is the starting point.

Describe the routine before the wish list

Separate what is fixed from what could change. An unchangeable work shift belongs in a different column from a possible dog-walker arrangement. Describe stairs, shared entrances, visitors, other animals and quiet space without assuming that a small dog will need little exercise or that a large dog cannot live in a smaller home. Ask about the particular dog.

Dogs Trust: Which dog is right for me?

Make the backup plan concrete

Replace "we will manage" with a named arrangement in your own notes. Who can help if your usual plan fails? What happens during travel or illness? This is an original planning prompt, not a source-derived minimum care schedule. Do not enter names or contact details here. Use roles such as household member or local sitter.

Turn a limit into a question

Fictional example: a household has a shared hallway and a resident cat. That does not establish that a breed is suitable or unsuitable. It creates questions: what is known about this dog near unfamiliar dogs, in narrow spaces, and around cats? What was directly observed? What remains unknown? Discuss introduction and management plans with the rescue and a qualified professional where needed.

Dogs Trust: Questions to ask when adopting

Keep the result provisional

The brief is a conversation aid. It does not establish that an animal can be safely left alone, live with children or share a home with other pets. A complete worksheet is not clearance. New information can change a decision. Nothing is saved or sent, and this page does not arrange adoption, contact a rescue or book a service.