Nifty·Posted on Aug 4, 201419 Ways Having A Dog Will Prepare You For KidsFur babies can change your life.by Mike SpohrBuzzFeed StaffLinkFacebookPinterestTwitterMail 1. Dogs awaken your maternal/paternal instincts. View this photo on Instagram 2. They teach you responsibility, too. View this photo on Instagram 3. You have to pick up their poop. View this photo on Instagram 4. They make messes. View this photo on Instagram 5. You have to feed them. View this photo on Instagram 6. You don't sleep as well as you used to. View this photo on Instagram 7. Dogs demand your attention whether you want to give it or not. View this photo on Instagram 8. It's your job to recognize their birthday. View this photo on Instagram 9. You pick out all of their outfits. View this photo on Instagram 10. You pick out their Halloween costumes, too. View this photo on Instagram 11. You worry about their well being. View this photo on Instagram 12. You have to buy a lot of stuff to take care of them. View this photo on Instagram 13. Dogs ain't cheap. View this photo on Instagram 14. You can judge how a potential partner might be as a parent based on how they treat your dog. View this photo on Instagram 15. There's no leaving town without finding a dog sitter. View this photo on Instagram 16. You have to potty train them. View this photo on Instagram 17. You experience anxiety over whether your dog will be accepted by the other dogs. View this photo on Instagram 18. You have to discipline them. View this photo on Instagram 19. Finally, you get the priceless experience of having a living creature rely on you to take care of them. View this photo on Instagram Are you a parent or parent-to-be looking for a little help figuring things out? Sign up for the BuzzFeed Parents newsletter!