Getting a family dog

[Sliver]

You're thinking of buying an unpredictable carnivorous beast to share your home and anoint your furniture, carpet and other property with its feces and urine? Seems like a great idea.

J/K.

Whatever you get just train it properly, pick up after it, and don't let it bark outside.

[Shin Pad]

Zulu29 and Realtor 1:

I concur with your choice of dogs. I also have a Boston Terrier (It should have been called a Boston Terrorizer). Great dogs, very smart, but oh so full of energy. Be prepare to take them for a lot of walks and to spend a lot of time playing with them. They would also be great around young kids - at least the kids might have a chance to wear them out

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Sliver

You're thinking of buying an unpredictable carnivorous beast to share your home and anoint your furniture, carpet and other property with its feces and urine? Seems like a great idea.

J/K.

Whatever you get just train it properly, pick up after it, and don't let it bark outside.

I just finished - before the snow overnight - the annual "Pick Up The Winter Dog Crap" grid search.

Two Golden Retrievers leaving three poops a day from mid-October to early April on the 2.5 acres of our four acre parcel we use for lawn equals about 450 dog piles.

And the bear crap as well.

About four days off and on.

To the OP, if you're real or imagined, about 50% of puppies are surrendered after one year. People don't put a lot of thought into how to fit this creature into their lifestyle and the depth of committment required.

Different dogs for different folks as well. The owner who wants a "smart" dog probably wouldn't if they knew what a smart, bored dog is capable of, as an example.

It's generally a 10-15 year, every day committment, including the medical bills.

Below, Ruby and Pete. Normal day. Both owner surrenders from different places. Fast friends after about two years together.



Good climbing buddies . . .



Cowperson

[HerbalMagic]

Adopted my big guy from Prairie Pitbull Rescue over 2 years ago. He's been amazing, comes on all my hikes with me, goes pretty much everywhere with me. Big teddy bear, niece approved.

[return to the red]

I have a West Highland White Terrier, cute little gal but so many allergies. She's even allergic to grass, I don't even want to try to estimate the amount i've spent on vet bills but she's part of the family so she's worth it.

[RedMileDJ]

Our son is 15 months old now. The nanny down the block, that takes care of him during the day, has 3 small dogs.

Seeing these pics make me want to get him a dog to grow up with.

Seven (black lab) and Gelli (white Sheppard cross) adopted through Pets for life. They were both found on Reserves, Pincher Creek and another?

And Seven is Ryley's biggest protector. She always tries to get between Ryley and any another dog at the dog park. I actually heard a bit of a growl a year ago when an excited puppy started jumping up and licking her face.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Sliver

You're thinking of buying an unpredictable carnivorous beast to share your home and anoint your furniture, carpet and other property with its feces and urine? Seems like a great idea.

J/K.

Whatever you get just train it properly, pick up after it, and don't let it bark outside.

Yes, that's doable. While we are at it, lets also makes sure peoples kids aren't outside screaming either.....

[CedarMeter]

BEAR BEAR!!..We got him at heaven can wait.

http://www.heavencanwait.ca/default.aspx

[Calgary4LIfe]

Just some tips for whatever they are worth:

Get a dog that matches your energy. Not just breed-to-breed comparisons. Each dog breed has vastly varying amounts of 'energy' within them. Some greyhounds will be 'low-energy'. Some bulldogs will be high energy. Start thinking of what you want in your dog, and how it matches you and your family.

If you have young children, be careful with small dogs. You definitely want to educate your kids about mistreating your animals. Many folks end up getting toy dogs thinking that they won't hurt their kids, but toy dogs (and some large breeds like Dobermanns) have very low pain thresholds. Your kid pulling, pinching and biting your pooch may result in a dog trying to defend itself.. or just living terrified from your kids.

Without knowing if you are new to dogs or not, I really recommend a rescue society that will come in and interview your family, and provide the right advice for a dog that 'fits'. Many will offer temporary placement to see 'how it goes', which is also really wonderful. I recommend you take advantage of that.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Yes, that's doable. While we are at it, lets also makes sure peoples kids aren't outside screaming either.....

Well barking is against the city bylaw so it is the owner's responsibility to prevent their dog from barking.

Overview of the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw

According to the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 23M2006, dog owners must ensure their dogs:

• Have and wear a City of Calgary licence from when they are three-months-old.
• Do not run at large. This means that dogs must be under control or on their owner's property.
• Are on-leash at all times, unless posted signs indicate otherwise, or are in a securely fenced private yard.
• Are under control in designated off-leash areas​​​​​​​​​. This means they must respond to sight and sound commands.

Do not:

• Bite anyone
• Injure anyone
• Chase, threaten or attack a person or an animal
• Bark, howl or disturb anyone
• Cause damage to property or animals
• Scatter garbage

Do not wander into:

• School grounds
• Playgrounds
• Sports fields
• Golf courses
• Cemeteries
• Wading or swimming areas

While on a pathway:

• Are on a leash no longer than two metres.
• Remain on the right hand side of the pathway.
• Not interfere with or obstruct other users.
• Are not left unattended while tethered.
• Are only allowed to be transported in the back of a truck if the dog is in a fully enclosed trailer, a truck bed covered with a topper, contained in a ventilated kennel that is secured to the truck bed, or securely tethered and not standing on bare metal.

​
According to the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, dog owners:

• Bring along a suitable means to pick up feces.
• Pick up all feces produces by their dog both on and off their property.
• Do not cycle, skateboard or in-line skate with a dog on a leash while on a pathway.
• Fines for failing to comply with the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw range from $25 to $1500.
• The City of Calgary's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 23M2006 regulates animals in our city. This is a brief overview of the bylaw. Please refer to the actual bylaw for more detailed information. Original copies of the bylaw are available at the City Clerk's office.
• Filing a complaint

To report a bylaw violation please:

• Call 3-1-1​ (from within Calgary) or 403-268-CITY (2489) (from outside Calgary).
• Contact Animal & Bylaw Services

[Old Yeller]

Sliver, you're not needed in this thread man.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Well barking is against the city bylaw so it is the owner's responsibility to prevent their dog from barking.

Move to the country . . . . . . if a dog barks at nothing, has it even barked?



(My old friend Keeper, now long gone, but a specialist at barking at nothing, a common scene for more than a decade.)

Cowperson

[Sliver]

^ how can you not love this guy? He has a beautiful dog photo for every occasion.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

Sliver, you're not needed in this thread man.

It's my favourite topic, man. Don't take that away from me.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by HerbalMagic

Adopted my big guy from Prairie Pitbull Rescue over 2 years ago.

Is he actually a baby-killing pit? With his face/muzzle he looks more like a Mastiff to me.

[polak]

As someone who would've killed for a dog as a kid and was never allowed to have one, do it.

[HerbalMagic]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

Is he actually a baby-killing pit? With his face/muzzle he looks more like a Mastiff to me.

He's a mastiff cross. Mastiff temperament that's for sure. He's just a big lap dog, super lazy in the house.

edit: He starts his pet therapy training this spring. Hoping to get him in to some old folks homes eventually.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by HerbalMagic

He's a mastiff cross. Mastiff temperament that's for sure. He's just a big lap dog, super lazy in the house.

edit: He starts his pet therapy training this spring. Hoping to get him in to some old folks homes eventually.

Ah, a Mastiff cross... I thought it was a dogo canario Really looks like it.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

Move to the country . . . . . . if a dog barks at nothing, has it even barked?



(My old friend Keeper, now long gone, but a specialist at barking at nothing, a common scene for more than a decade.)

Cowperson

Well what we have here is the K9 equivalent of people driving their cars through tunnels. He isn't barking at nothing, he's waiting for the echo to come back to hear how bad a$$ he sounds.