Another Dog Thread

[Tangs4President40]

Hey CP,

Sorry for another dog thread, but I'm not sure I can get the advice I'm looking for from anyone else. Also, I'm sure some of you have gone through a similar situation and might be able to give me some advice based on your personal experience. I'll try to keep this as short as possible...

The back story: I've never had a pet my entire life (not even a gold fish!) so when I started dating my girlfriend a few years back I wasn't sure how crazy I was about dogs. Not that I hated animals at all, but just never had any experience with them. Her dog was about 5 years old and was extremely well behaved. Before I knew it I was attached, very attached. I found myself being amazed how she could hear EVERYTHING going on outside my house and helped me find comfort when going to bed at night knowing if anything were to happen outside, she would let me know.

So, just recently I decided to call it quits with my girlfriend (which is another story in itself.) This obviously means she's taking her dog with her. It's weird, I dated her for almost 2 years and I find myself crying over missing her dog and not over her.

I just started looking at animal shelters online contemplating picking one up for myself, but I have a lot of concerns. First, since I've never had a pet, I don't even know what to expect from a puppy. Is she going to destroy my house that I just moved into? If I did get a puppy, am I done going on weekend getaways? Maybe I should get an older dog that is already house broken? I don't know anything about animal upkeep, how often do they need shots, or anything else?

Well, thanks for reading and letting me ramble on. Any words of advice I would really appreciate. And since I know CP has a soft spot for dogs, here she is.

[Tangs4President40]

Nevermind, got it!

[Lithium]

Change your weekend getaways to camping trips and take the new dog with you!

[Table 5]

Make sure you have the income/monetary means to take care of the dog medically. Pets aren't cheap, especially when something goes awry, and the last thing you want to do is put down a pet you love because you can't afford the medical bills. Health insurance is a good idea if you don't like surprises.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Tangs4President40

Hey CP,

......

I just started looking at animal shelters online contemplating picking one up for myself, but I have a lot of concerns. First, since I've never had a pet, I don't even know what to expect from a puppy. Is she going to destroy my house that I just moved into?

Yes. Puppies are the devil incarnate. People who say that their puppies were well-behaved are repressing something. My dog ripped a hole in the middle of a flat vinyl floor when she was about 4 months old.

If I did get a puppy, am I done going on weekend getaways?

No, but you'll need to adjust your schedule around the dog. For example, if folks are going out for beers after work you'll likely have to skip it or at least go home first. Having a dog restricts some things, but the biggest adjustment is changing your life habits.

Maybe I should get an older dog that is already house broken?

Not a bad idea. I recommend doing owner/dog courses to bond with the animal. You need to train yourself as much, if not more, than the dog.

I don't know anything about animal upkeep, how often do they need shots, or anything else?

Puppies require more regular vet visits for shots while a healthy adult requires and appointment once a year for a general check up and various shots.

Well, thanks for reading and letting me ramble on. Any words of advice I would really appreciate. And since I know CP has a soft spot for dogs, here she is.

See above.

[Tangs4President40]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Make sure you have the income/monetary means to take care of the dog medically. Pets aren't cheap, especially when something goes awry, and the last thing you want to do is put down a pet you love because you can't afford the medical bills. Pet health insurance is a good idea if you don't like surprises.

Thanks for the reply. I have the income to care for a pet, but pet insurance sounds like a good call. Thanks again!

[MrMastodonFarm]

I've cried more over dogs in my life, then ex-girlfriends.

[bluck]

Originally Posted by Tangs4President40

Hey CP,

Sorry for another dog thread, but I'm not sure I can get the advice I'm looking for from anyone else. Also, I'm sure some of you have gone through a similar situation and might be able to give me some advice based on your personal experience. I'll try to keep this as short as possible...

The back story: I've never had a pet my entire life (not even a gold fish!) so when I started dating my girlfriend a few years back I wasn't sure how crazy I was about dogs. Not that I hated animals at all, but just never had any experience with them. Her dog was about 5 years old and was extremely well behaved. Before I knew it I was attached, very attached. I found myself being amazed how she could hear EVERYTHING going on outside my house and helped me find comfort when going to bed at night knowing if anything were to happen outside, she would let me know.

So, just recently I decided to call it quits with my girlfriend (which is another story in itself.) This obviously means she's taking her dog with her. It's weird, I dated her for almost 2 years and I find myself crying over missing her dog and not over her.

I just started looking at animal shelters online contemplating picking one up for myself, but I have a lot of concerns. First, since I've never had a pet, I don't even know what to expect from a puppy. Is she going to destroy my house that I just moved into? If I did get a puppy, am I done going on weekend getaways? Maybe I should get an older dog that is already house broken? I don't know anything about animal upkeep, how often do they need shots, or anything else?

Well, thanks for reading and letting me ramble on. Any words of advice I would really appreciate. And since I know CP has a soft spot for dogs, here she is.

First of all getting a dog that is your own requires some serious thought and consideration in my opinion. If you want to adopt and that's what I suggest you do the animal/local shelters are a great place to start. Most of the dogs there are already house trained and all have had their shots so that is a good start. If not, then I would highly suggest you go find a dog trainer for the first month or so to help you get adjusted.

As far as weekend getaways you can always bring your dog with you, just bring his kennel and you should be good to go. If you can't bring your dog with you then find a good friend to take care of him/her.

Dog's need attention and in my opinion they should be walked once a day. So if you're the type of person that works 9-5, goes out for a few drinks after work, maybe goes to the gym and gets home around 8 or 9 at night.. then i'd seriously consider whether or not you're in the right stage in your life to have a pet.

Cheers!

Bluck

[Table 5]

Also, if this your first pet ownership experience, I would consider getting a cat.

The upkeep is minimal compared to a dog, while still giving you a real pet with a personality (unlike getting a fish or something)...so it's ideal for someone who wants a pet, but isn't used to the amount of attention a dog needs. Cats in general are a lot easier to live with.....they don't need to be walked every morning and night, they poop in a designated area, eat way less, are small and compact, and are just generally pretty self-reliant.

Plus they are a breeze in terms of "getaway weekends". You can leave them for 2-3 days without a hassle, where dogs seem to roll over and die 10 minutes after you leave. With a dog you either have to take them with you, or have someone dog sit....it can get annoying if you travel a lot.

Honestly, I used to be a big dog guy, but after having some cats, man, they are so much more livable.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Honestly, I used to be a big dog guy, but after having some cats, man, they are so much more livable.

This was a great post Table, but I have one thing to add.

The only problem with cats, is that they're cats.

Besides that though, great pets.

[Table 5]

Haha, I dunno, I like the fact that cats make you work for their love. Dogs are the slutty chicks who spread their legs for anyone who gives them attention. Fun, sure, but you don't really respect it since it's so easy to get.

But honestly, cats get a bit of a bad rap in that department sometimes. We had a cat for 18 years that had as much personality and intelligence, and need for human interaction, as any dog I've ever met. RIP Otto....

Either way though, cat or dogs, both are awesome. It's all about what fits your situation best.

[MrMastodonFarm]

I actually think Fish are such an underrated Pet as well. It's just a shame the upkeep and cleaning is so time consuming.

90% of the time I'd rather sit back on the couch across from a beautifully set up fish tank then across from a TV.

[tipenmat]

Hi Tangs,

I am also new to having dogs, never having had one before. I have had 2 dogs for two years after my wife convinced me to get one and I just love them.
The thing we did is that we adopted an older dog (about 3-4 yrs old) and he was very well trained and housetrained. In fact he didn't do any business in the house until he got sick a year or so after we adopted him. So he has been great. A year later we adopted a younger dog that was about 10 months old and she was much more of a handful to train (she did a lot of her business in the house for 1-2 months and destroyed some minor things in the house). So if you are concerned about that aspect, maybe adopt an older dog first.
We got our dogs from two adoption agencies here in Calgary. They have dogs placed in foster homes so they get trained and you get an idea what their personality is. The two organizations we adopted our dogs from have lots of options with breeds and sizes. If you want to check them out:
Pawsitive Match (www.pawsitivematch.org)
Little Mutts Rescue (www.littlemuttsrescue.org) for smaller size dogs
I have also heard good things from other people about ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation), AARCS (Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society) if you want to check them out.
Good luck finding a new friend!

[Josh]

This is Sam and Daisy, because of them there is fur all over the place, they drool on the floor after drinking, bark at any little thing outside.

All that being said, I wouldn't trade them for anything. BTW, they're both rescue dogs, I'd say go for it if you can provide a dog with a good home.

[#22]

I would recommend doing some research on properly training a dog as well. I recently rescued a German shepherd and, even though I have had dogs my whole life, I realized I was doing a lot of things wrong. Now because all my other dogs were all cross-breeds and I had had them since puppyhood, these things never really manifested themselves into anything too serious, but with a purebred shepherd who has socialization issues, I really had to step up my game, and the strategies I have learned along the way are starting to pay off

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Tangs4President40

Nevermind, got it!

Got what? the ex girlfriends dog?

[Cowperson]

Aside from the above advice, make sure you account for the fact there were two people looking after your last dog and now there will be only one. Makes a huge difference in your life and the responsibility and time commitment.

Cats are definitely easier to look after.

Secondly, and think about this hard, your new dog is NOT your last dog and may be entirely different in temperament. You may not be repeating or gaining the same experience you loved. A five year old dog is basically a 35 year old human and getting fairly settled down. A puppy will eventually get there but it might be a long haul.

Puppies are terrorists. Cute as buttons but unpleasant terrorists nonetheless.

Dogs are very rewarding, however, if you can put them into your lifestyle.

Cowperson

[nemanja2306]

I suggest you watch a couple of episodes of the "Dog Whisperer". I don't know what channel it airs on in Canada so if someone can help me out it would be great, but I learned a lot of things about dogs and being a dog owner in general, from it. That's my 'general' advice.

As for shots, vet checks up...I think it's best you talk to a vet.

[Tangs4President40]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Got what? the ex girlfriends dog?

No sir. I couldn't figure out how to put a picture up. I originally asked for help but figured it out.

[Northendzone]

i beg you to be sensitive to hearing your dog bark - as a non-dog guy, I hate listening to my neighbors dogs bark. And I hate it more when said neighbor leans out his door and yells at the dog to shut up.....dude your dog is barking, take him inside where you can enjoy the dog barking and the rest of us don't have to listen to it.........