RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice

RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (Full Version)

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KyttynTheMynx -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/5/2008 11:27:25 PM)
Not every breed is ok with being left alone for long periods of time, but my moms Jack Russel, and my Shitzu-chow-crittermajig are pretty cool about it provided they have water, chompy toys, a snack, and something to snuggle. I think its all in the breed, and how well adjusted to alone time it is. Good luck and like its been said, Rescue a Furbaby! Great karma, and they give back to you in the oodles of love they give! Oh, by the way, puppy piddle pads are a great thing to invest in if ya dont have a yard to let the furbaby roam around in during the day.

FangsNfeet -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/5/2008 11:27:59 PM)
I have three dogs and they are all trained to use a doggy door and do there business outside. Leaving them home alone for 12 hours a day is not a problem for us. My advice is to try and adopt dogs who are atleast two years old. They'll be easier to potty train in most cases and are usually out of a chew up everything phase. When you are not at home, puppies love to tear up many things including carpet. Also, be sure to have your dog or dogs fixed ASAP. It helps. When worried about having just on dog all by itself, just get another dog of similar age. That way, they'll have each other. They'll both miss and crave human affection while you're gone but they'll be okay. 8 to 10 hrs away from your dog is not cruel. They have food, water, shelter, and things to bark at. Being semi noctournal, the day time is when dogs get most of there sleep anyways.. So get yoruself a dog and enjoy.

YourhandMyAss -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/5/2008 11:32:45 PM)
A lot of shelters will not adopt to someone who's gone all day and will leave the dog alone most of it's day. I know that at the animal control I volunteered at that was the case, that and the dog had to be mainly an indoor dog, they frowned on people who said it was going to be outside and never inside. quote:* ORIGINAL: angelikaJ If you go through a no kill shelter or a rescue, they will have an sense of the Kind of Dog you seek.

Owner59 -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/5/2008 11:32:53 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: BlackKnight rescue a mut from the shelter, their usually the smarter, and save a life! pedagrees have a genetic degradation flaw, inbreeding, Purebreeds are fine, but a wast of money if your not gunna show. friends spent 500+ on dogs and never got them to show, or breed, a waste. Go save a mutt. he'll be different and kewl! and a suprise as to what's he like when he grows up. What he said....

kimba1 -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/6/2008 2:28:02 AM)
I totally agree with BlackKnight and others on here. I have been lucky to have dog's in my life for over 20 years (now my eldest died last April, and it has been hell -- due to circumstances can't get one again, but my Master says we will!!). Anyway, rescue dogs also have the advantage that you actually will know quite a bit about their personalities before, and fostering beforehand is an excellent idea. If you are set on a purebred, well, many in shelters are and their are rescue groups for just about every breed. But the main thing is be SURE that you get the dog to match your lifestyle. I am not very active, and was away at work all day, so I needed dogs that did not have high levels of energy—couch potatoes were more my style, smiles... While in SF i had a doggie door that they used so they could go outside in the completely fenced back yard when i wasn't home, but later i didn't. I also found that when there was more than one, they did not miss me. They had a blast in the house when i was gone, and would then snooze. And they could go 8 hours without having a wee, just as we do at night (and they would too). I did have wee-wee pads just in case though, and i ALWAYS had back up plans were something to happen to me and i would be late. My first rescue turned out to be a pure-bred Shar-Pei from a pound. I had no idea what he was as he had been used as pit-bull bait and was all torn up. He became my Guardian, my best friend, and so incredibly special. I do not recommend the breed for novices, however. To keep him company, i brought home a semi-wild Basenji-mix who had been rescued from a lady who had 75 dogs & 35 cats. Poor sweet girl (the dog) had been kept in a cage and forced to breed for the 1st 2 years of her life. Watching her gain confidence, and slowly come back to not being constantly afraid was the most gratifying process in my life. To keep her company, (since it turns out the Shar-Pei wasn't into playing) i brought home a little Pugahuahua (Pug/Chihuahua) who had been found with distemper. He survived and was such an incredible clown. There were dark times in my life when the only reason i came home was to take care of my dogs, and seeing the unconditional love and indeed admiration in their eyes when they saw me made life worth living. As much as i gave them in their lives, they enriched mine a thousandfold, and taught me more lessons than any school. Remember, dogs really are for life. I waited until i thought i was ready to have an um, and got a dog instead. It is a huge responsibility, and unlike ums, there are many places you cannot go with them. Living in the UK is much better for that as they are allowed on public transportation. But for all that, if i could adopt another now, i would in a heartbeat. There is nothing like the love a dog gives, and the joy in having one (or more!) in your life.

rosanegra -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/6/2008 2:39:45 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou I don't have a dog, and it's for the very reason you mentioned. Dogs are a lot of responsibility. If you don't have the time to be there with the dog, then you shouldn't have one. I have a cat, and cats are just a better choice for someone in my position. She pretty much takes care of herself. I just have to empty her litter box every few days and keep her food dish filled. I would say I have to keep her water dish filled, but she refuses to drink out of a bowl. I have to go into the kitchen and let the faucet stream a tiny trickle of water for her. She lets me know when she needs a drink by coming in and loudly meowing. I think that's the biggest pain with her. But, I don't have to worry when I leave her alone. I would worry with a dog. If you don't have the time for a dog, don't get one. Was your cat your first clue that you might be submissive? weg Just kidding... but wow .... Cats can be high maintenance, and demanding on their pet humans... but I've never really heard of a cat that was this bad. Is it that she has an issue with the film that develops on sitting water that animals drink from? If so, they make these cool little fountains that keep the water moving for picky cats, and they even have ones that you can put a jug of water on in order to keep it filled for a longer period of time. I knew someone whose cat had to have one of those. Anyway, as for the OP... We wish we could have a dog too, but our reason for not getting one is our landlord... even once I am working, I am not too concerned with the idea of leaving a dog in the house all day. Just try to keep them in an area without much to damage, or things to tear up until you know how they will react. Get them lots of toys to play with. If it is a problem, but the dog is otherwise well behaved, you might think about getting it a companion... Also, if you're contemplating getting one from the pound or an animal shelter, depending on what the turnaround rate for the shelter you go to is, the staff that works with the animals might have an idea of which dog has an ideal temperment to be left alone for an extended period of time. Sorry if I repeated anything else said by anyone else, but I guess if I did it is just confirmation of what they said.

subrob1967 -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/6/2008 6:22:12 AM)
We currently have 5 dogs:) 1 13yr old F German Shepard, rescued 1 3yr old intact M Pit Bull 1 3.5yr old intact M Shih-Tzu 1 1.5yr old intact F Shih-Tzu 1 8mo old intact F Boxer All of our dogs are crate trained, even the Shepard, who lived outside for 10 years, and on rare occasions are left alone, crated for 7+ hours at a time. So far, the only one to have an accident in her crate was the Boxer, but she had a large crate, with puppy pads covering 1/3rd for the just in case. All of our dogs have different energy levels, with the Boxer being the higest, & the Shepard obviously being the lowest. We've noticed that all the dogs like to lounge in Havoc's crate (our Pit Bull) even though their crates are open to them. If I were to recommend a medium sized companion dog, based on the various breeds I've owned, it would be a Pit Bull. Small, you can't go wrong with a Shih-Tzu, they rarely bark, and don't shed.

Alumbrado -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/6/2008 11:36:57 AM)
Once you devote the time and attention to properly (as in crate) train, a well adjusted dog should be fine while the owner is at work....IF you give them full attention and care once you are home, and make being their leader as well as their companion a priority when not at work.. That includes walking them when you don't want to, socializing them even when it is a hassle, grooming, and paying attention to them even when it is inconvenient, not taking shortcuts with feeding etc., and above all, making them adapt to their subordinate role in the household. Failing to step up in any of these areas is usually the precursor to 'problem pets' and nightmare discipline issues.

Maya2001 -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/6/2008 3:57:42 PM)
I have 4 dogs who when I work are at home 9 hours a day, 2 greyhounds 11 and 5years old, one american eskimo who will be 12 next month and a 2 year old chinese crested. I do not use a doggy door because meter reader need access to the fenced in area also too much risk on have someone leaving the gate unlocked, or problems with neighbour if the dogs start barking, my dogs also have high prey drives a cat coming into my yard can become their dinner even though they have lived with a cat, to them a running strange cat out in the yard is no different then a rabbit, they will not associate as being the same as the cat they lived with . It is rare for them to have accidents in the house , the chinese crested is most likely to have accidents, which is common for toy breeds some can be litter trained I was unsuccessful in being able to litter train the crested as he was already 6 months when I got him, mine all get free run of the house and mostly sleep when I am away, just like us a body chemical is released during sleep which allows us to hold our bladder longer than when awake and active. I chose the greyhounds in particular the ex-racers as they as already very calm and lazy and the majority are easy keepers with gentle natures and can transition easily to pet life, crested was chosen as it is gentle natured as well loved to cuddle and is quite goofy playful. a jack russel though great for others would generally would not be a good breed for me. My eskie is a great dog but was not one of my best choices for suitable breeds for me, she is still very bouncy and and high strung and wound up at 12 year old, and when wound up becomes very yappy and boisterous, she is a breed that bonds very closely to the owner and does not want to be seperated from them, so she gets very bent out of shape when I leave the house and they have watch dog personalities and some can be agressive luckily she isn't, many who get them as first time dogs will end up giving them up to pounds because they end up being a lot more dog then most would expect. a. MY point being what is a great dog breed for one person can be a pain in the butt for another What I would suggest is make a list of qualities you would want in a dog, such as size, long hair short hair, playfulness, protectiveness, friendly to strangers etc and rate importance of each how much time you can dedicate to things like grooming and exercise also take into consider possible future plans such as having children larger dogs with often live to 14 small to mid breeds to 18 years Google "dog selector quiz" there are several online ones that can help you decide which breeds are best suited for you and your lifestyle, I would suggest trying at least 3 different ones to see if certain breeds crop up as common.

Vendaval -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/6/2008 6:06:46 PM)
If you are gone most of the day, then I advise adopting two dogs at once from a shelter or rescue group that are already on good terms with each other. Be prepared for double the bills and double the fun.

winterlight -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/6/2008 6:31:51 PM)
I would Never, ever have a dog outside in a doghouse. i know of someone whose dog is outside a lot! Barks up a storm even if you open your garage door, get the mail, walk by.....

Leonardo -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/6/2008 6:54:01 PM)
I have a 7 yr old, 90 lb yellow lab lap puppy (or at least he thinks he's still small enough to climb on my lap and he still thinks of himself as a puppy). His territory is about half of the backyard (about 1/4 acre is his). That is his space. He lives there. He protects the house and our two outside cats very well. He has even strategically placed his land mines all over the back yard so that if someone jumps over the fence without him seeing it, chances are that the intruder will step into a big, smelly, squishy surprise (his land mines work... I can attest to that... ewwww near impossble to get completely off of shoes). bride and I spend time with him a good bit... he knows how to fetch and retrieve, chase and corner goats, scare curious skunks (p-u), shake hands, eat when I tell him it is ok to eat, etc. But he stays in the back yard overnight and in the daytime, and there have been plenty of times that I have left him in charge of the house for periods of 8 or more hours at a time. I would never do that with an indoor dog, nor would I ever have a dog without a large fenced yard. BTW, if you asked him his last name, he'd probably tell you his last name is No.

bamabbwsub -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/6/2008 7:21:22 PM)
As an animal rescuer and former co-founder and VP of an animal rescue group, I heartily second what Vendaval said. Dogs are pack animals, and most (though not all) of them are much happier if they have another of their own kind to play with. I highly recommend that you get two dogs rather than one; or, if the dog is to be an indoor-only dog, see if you can find one who likes cats and get a dog and a cat. Either way, to be left alone for 8+ hours per day isn't really a good thing for any pet. I always try to think about how I would feel if I were left alone all day, 5 days a week, with nothing to do. Booorrrrrinngggggg! And bored pets are usually problem pets. quote: I have mixed feeling about leaving the dog alone but as some have pointed out better to be alive and at home than in a kennel or destroyed. To me, there are worse things than (humane) death for an animal, especially dogs. To be left outside alone, unattended, with no physical or mental stimulation is a type of cruelty unto itself. I'm not suggesting that you would treat a dog this way, but dogs are a LOT of work and because most working people are tired when they get home -- but the dog has slept all day and is ready to play -- the poor dog often just gets thrown in the back yard, a kennel, etc., while their owners toss food out to them and then go back inside to watch TV. I can't tell you how many times I've seen this. quote: I would have an area outside that is enclosed for the dog to move around. I'm not sure from your post if the dog would be an indoor dog, an outdoor dog, or indoor/outdoor. It sounds as though you may have either a small fenced-in yard, or a dog run (a chain link fence enclosure for dogs). If it's the latter, then you probably shouldn't get a dog, especially if that's where he's going to stay during the day. It provides the same lack of mental and physical stimulation that I mentioned above. As others have said, please think carefully about your decision. You aren't getting a dog, you're getting a living, breathing, sentient being, who depends upon you and you alone for its well-being and happiness. It's a lot of responsibility and expense, and isn't something to undertake lightly. And, of course, I highly recommend adopting any animal from a rescue group, particularly one where the animal is fostered in a home. The foster parents can tell you what the dog is really like in a home environment. Also, some rescue groups have a "return policy" (for lack of a better term) wherein you can return the dog to the rescue group within a certain amount of time if the dog or dogs aren't a good fit. Best of luck with your decision!

Leonardo -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/7/2008 7:29:40 AM)
Well said, bamabbwsub. We took in our lab because the owners could no longer keep him (puppies can be so cute at first, but alot of ppl fail to realize that puppies grow... the pee... they poop... they chew on things, etc.), so we took him in 7 yrs ago. He is not just an object. In fact, my dog actually epitomizes the meaning of submissive (and for those that always think everything has to deal with sex, no, we do not engage in beastiality as we abhor that type of behavior)... he comes up the back steps and looks at me in the breezeway in the mornings, laying on the top step and waiting... knowing that at 9:00 every morning, I visit him, pet him, rub him, and feed him. He loves when I open the gate and let him spend time in the garage with me... just laying down where I am always in his sight. If I stand up, he stands up. He gives attention to bride, but when I come around, he looks right past her to me. And if I say anything to him, he comes running to me and sits at my feet. He can be in the back yard and hear the clinging of his leash, and he gets all excited... just anxiously waiting for me to place his collar on him and walk him around on the leash... even if it is in the back yard. Yes, dogs are pack animals. I am the Dominant animal of my pack and that is how my dog sees me. bride and I see him as family. So, in essence, yes... there are times I leave my dog alone at home... in the back yard... in his domain, but he has about 1/4 acre to run and play and get exercise (I can't stand seeing an obese, out of shape dog). He has the 2 outside cats to protect, and he does so very well. If you are just going to get a cute dog for indoors and keep him/her couped up all day long, or even worse, chain the dog outside to a tree.... don't. A dog (and cat, for that matter, as well) should be seen as a family member.... one who truly knows the meaning of unconditional love. If you're going to get a dog and have no intentions of making it a part of your 'family'... of developing an actual relationship with him/her, then get a pet rock instead.

TMaster2 -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/7/2008 7:48:45 AM)
I have almost always had a dog, and much of the time I've had a job that kept me away all day. But I've also always had a yard, so they have some room to call their own. If you love them and coddle them and spoil them, they will stay out "guarding" their yard, playing, sleeping, but mainly waiting for you to get home, to love and be loved some more :) But it does take that devotion to them, the time and money to keep them healthy and cared for, or you shouldn't do it. It lasts about 10 years, give or take.

ghitaPVH -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/7/2008 9:03:16 AM)
Ive always had dogs, even when I was working. Most of the time they have been indoor/outdoor, so they stayed outside in a fenced yard when I wasnt home. Generally I think its best to have more than one dog if they are going to have to be home alone alot. Right now I only have one dog, but Im home constantly, and if we go away for the weekend she goes down the road to my cousins. She's old and doesnt do mutch other than lay on her pillow all day anymore anyway. Currently we have a rottweiler, she's been with us for about 4 years, and she was already 4 years old and had surgery on both her back legs before we ever got her. I used to have a chihuahua when the rottie first came to live with us, but someone stole him off the front porch while we were camping down the road. fukkers. I miss that dog. maybe one day when the kids go off to school Ill get another one..but right now I dont have the energy to potty train another one....

soul2share -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/8/2008 7:30:31 PM)
I adopted a chow-lab mix from a "free to a good home" ad in the paper...he was about 2 by anyone's guess. He was a great pooch, he had the best disposition, considering his start in life...he was badly abused and beaten as a puppy, if I raised my voice at him for any reason, he'd drop down and cower like he was going to be beaten all over again. He would actually smile when he'd meet me at the door, and charmed the hell out of everyne he'd ever met! I wanted a grown dog because first, no one else usually wants them, and I really didn't want to mess around with the house training part due to my job.....I work in a 24/7 environment, and there were days when I would be there 12-16 hours unannounced. He only had one accident the entire time I had him. He had full run of the house, the only problem he had was garbage........he was always getting into it! And he was a willing partner in crime with his cat......KB would knock the goodies off the fridge, Shiloh would rip the bag or box open, and they'd gobble down whatever treats they found. I ended up getting him a cat because he would get into a deep depression when left alone. The company worked wonders....between the two of them, they could trash a house in ways no teenager ever could! I came home one day to total chaos.....my bedding dragged down the hall, couch cushions all over the place, a throw pillow in the kitchen sink.....and the two of them met me at the door pointing at each other hollering "HE did it!". When the time came for me to put my dog to sleep. my cat was devastated.....he wouldn't let anyone near his dog bed, and he wouldn't let the other cats in the house eat out of his dog food feeder.....we changed the food to cat food.....it was only when I adopted two garage sale kittens that my cat bounced back. Yes, dogs are a lot of commitment, and work, but you get back whatever you give threefold. One option to doggy day care that I found was to have someone come in and feed him and take him out if I went out of town. I couldn't board my dog because he'd freak out....wouldn't eat, wouldn't sleep, I'm guessing it was due to being stuck in the pound......I found a lady who came in and took care of both of them. Just make sure that the dog you get is right for you....as hard as it may be, don't just take the first one home you see......if you're even half the sucker I am, you'll want them ALL! Good luck in your search.....the right dog will find you!

lighthearted -> RE: i have wanted a dog my whole life and i am asking for advice (1/8/2008 9:37:39 PM)
I'd just like to add something to consider when adopting a dog (which I think is wonderful, nearly ever single one of my dogs has been a rescue). it can be difficult to impossible to take a dog that has been an "outside" dog and turn them into an "inside" dog. I had a little rott/lab mutt that was the sweetest, most adorable dog...but he was as dumb as a post. he had spent the first 2 years of his life living on the streets, and just wanted to be outside all the time. he was nearly impossible to housebreak, even with a crate. he just didn't "get" it. if you rescue a dog already accustomed to being indoors a good chunk of the day, it will make your life MUCH easier in the long run.

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