Talk me off the ledge

[A. Nonymous]

I'm thinking of getting a dog, but I'm having second thoughts. The last time I had a dog I worked at a job where I worked 50-60 hours a week and honestly did not have time for him. Sadly, he ran off before I got my current job and I never saw him again.

Now I have a bigger back yard and a job where I'm only working 40 hours a week and have a lot of time on my hands. So, I'm thinking of converting part of my detached garage into a canine haven. I figure I can put a crate in there or a small dog run and have a dog door that goes out in to the yard. When I'm not at home Fido can chill in the garage or in the yard as he desires. When I get home we can go for a walk in the evening for 30-45 mins and he can spend the evening either inside with me where I can keep an eye on him or outside if I'm busy doing stuff. I'm leaning toward a bassett hound as I want a dog that's more laid back. The last one I had was extremely hyperactive and probably wasn't the best fit for me. I don't really want a dog inside if I'm not there as I don't trust the animal to not tear up my house. If it's bone cold outside or extremely hot outside exceptions would be made to this rule of course.

[Reefscape]

For me, i think the point that your having second thoughts, is telling you something, in my opinion....

[A. Nonymous]

For me, i think the point that your having second thoughts, is telling you something, in my opinion....

Can't disagree about that. To be honest though, I do have second thoughts about everything.

[justahannah]

Do you plan on ever being barefoot in the backyard? I went through every classification of pet in my childhood except for dogs simply because my mom didn't want us tracking poo in from the yard or it getting flung out of the lawn mower and she knew no one would ever want to scoop it. When I look at pets I first look at personality and time constraints, and then waste management and how willing I am to deal with it. Dogs are too high maintenance in that regard for me...my cats and ferret always go in the same, contained, easy to scoop spot, water changes on the tank are easy, but a shoe covered in dog poo ruins at least a small portion of my day.

[Madcrawdad]

but a shoe covered in dog poo ruins at least a small portion of my day.

Yup, dog poo on a shoe is a definite buzzkill. So is walking barefoot in the yard and realizing when you step, that the ground seemed to have a little more 'give' to it than you were expecting... Been there, done that. :eek:

[PuppyFluffer]

Don't do it. That second thought is there for a reason.

Offer to baby sit a friend's dog while they take a 2 week vacation and see how you feel about the commitment. A dog is such a time consuming venture - if done right.....and like we do with out tanks, why have one if you can't do it right.

This is coming from someone who would love a new dog but knows she can't give it the proper time commitment with three small children. I'm a dog professional too, a groomer.

[Blueiz]

Having second thoughts means you are considering every aspect and the responsibility that goes along with owning a dog and being the sole caretaker of it just as you would a child.

As far as dogs in the house, unless they are supervised, I would not let them run free either. My cocker and rottie are crated when no one is at home, and while we are at home if we need a break or its there rest time.

If you are willing to go the distance to take care of a dog, going on daily walks regardless of the weather, seeing to its health care, and over all well being, feeding it a diet that isn't like most of the trash marketed now adays (not going to name brand names cause that would start a war, if you want info pm me), and have a best friend for life that is there no matter what and that will never judge you, you are ready to get a dog.

Be careful about the breed you select, or mix you select. be sure that it will fit your life style and situation. Research for a dog just like you would a fish before you get it, and help and animal out, check out petfinder.com. Don't fall for the I want to rescue you because you are so cute and look so pitiful, make sure you get a dog that is right for you and that you are right for the dog. There are lots of rescue organizations out there that you can adopt a purebred animal from that needs a home as well.

Good luck on your decision, Im happy to see that you are making an informed one and actually weighing all the pros and cons before you proceed.

Blue

[Bubbles2112]

Yup, dog poo on a shoe is a definite buzzkill. So is walking barefoot in the yard and realizing when you step, that the ground seemed to have a little more 'give' to it than you were expecting... Been there, done that. :eek:


ROFLMAO!!!! :laugh::rofl::rofl::rofl:


How about a warm smushy cat hairball at 3a.m......right between the toes!!!! :silly:

[Blueiz]

Having a specified area that you walk your dog, and cleaning up after it prevents teh poo on the shoe, and the spread of disease as well..;)


ROFLMAO!!!! :laugh::rofl::rofl::rofl:


How about a warm smushy cat hairball at 3a.m......right between the toes!!!! :silly:

been ther edone that, many times!!!! My ten year old loves to leave me presents!

[justahannah]

I am so grateful my cats are young, short-haired, and quick n easy to brush. After 6 months I have yet to encounter this....with them. The cats that stayed on with the parents are a different story... many a morning on my way out the door I'd step on something crunchy only to realize it was a present left by our resident bird killer.

[Bubbles2112]

Yechy!....:silly:

[Dwarf Puffers]

My sheltie has access to the house 24-7, whether I'm there or no... Let her out to do her business in the morning and night, and when I'm around mid-day (yes, I'm always around at some point). My cats get into more things than she does. She sleeps by my bed, too, so maybe this is an exception :D

[A. Nonymous]

I'm not able to come home in the middle of the day on a regular basis which means if the dog was crated in the house, he'd be crated for 9+ hours at a time and sometimes longer. To me that's just beyond cruel. So, I'd rather they have a warm/cool place to hang out in the garage if they want and have access to the yard through a dog door to do their business.

Went down to the pound today and eyeballed a basset hound there which is what I really want. They told me this particular guy is extremely possessive about his food bowl (which I can relate to), but didn't have any information on him otherwise.

I confess that part of my second thoughts is the maintenance. I love how fish are fairly low maintenance pets once you get started. It takes me an hour a week to change the water in all 4 of my tanks (and usually less than that) and that's about it. I could stand to lose some weight and a dog would make an awesome walking companion to me. The maintenance and the time/money investment on a dog are the big cons to me at this point.

[crimsonmoon]

I would say....get a male black lab. My family has only ever had, bred and raised black labs, and they are my favorite ever. I say a male because every single male that we have had has been waaaaay more obedient and loyal than the females. They are extremely affectionate, and when you train them once, they never go back on that. The females on the other hand are typically more destructive and unruly. There were a few exceptions, but overall thats how it is.
I love big dogs also because you can waller all over them and love on them and stuff, and they love it. They are great inside dogs and SUPER obedient and calm when you need them to be. As long as you give them time at least 3 or 4 times a week to go crazy in the back yard with you, run around, play tug of war, stuff like that, they are the most rewarding pet i have ever had. They have their own hilarious personalities, but at the same time, they aren't high maintenance and A.D.D. or out-of-control hyper like a lot of terriers are. When they are puppies they can be trying, what with the chewing, occasional digging, and just learning the time and the place to do things.
My dogs are sometimes in their pins for over 9 hours when we don't plan ahead for an unexpected event or something, but they are trained well and are really good about being patient for us to come home and let them out to waller with. As long as you be sure to make up for it with a treat or two, they're fine with it (within reason tho, don't just leave them in there for a whole day thinking you'll make up for it later). A few of the dogs i would trust to have free roam of the house while im gone, but not all.
I also love sharing a bed or the couch with them, they are so much fun. I am more attached to them than i am to almost everybody i know. They will become your little shadows eventually and you will love it.
On the other hand, if you aren't willing to go through the hard work of training, giving them room for mistakes, and the mishaps, then you should not get a dog. Training them is the most difficult aspect of having a dog, especially a dog like a black lab, but once you do it is such a rewarding experience. Most people underestimate how much it takes to train a dog. You probably think you are ready, but just wait until 3 o'clock in the morning when you smell something aweful and have to go clean up a puppy's mess. So before getting one, take into consideration that there will be times when you think you have made a mistake getting him, but the unconditional love they give you after all the work you pour into them makes it more than worth it in the end.
Good luck choosing :D

[cam191919]

i know i couldent handle taking care of the "family dog" alone, and hes just a miniature dachshund. good thing my parents like him so much...
i think you should invest in a nice big tank, and a shark :devil:

[crimsonmoon]

also, the pound usually has lots of black labs or some variation and mix of them, they are GREAT running dogs. I would think that a basset hound's legs would be a tad short to be too fast lol

[A. Nonymous]

i know i couldent handle taking care of the "family dog" alone, and hes just a miniature dachshund. good thing my parents like him so much...
i think you should invest in a nice big tank, and a shark :devil:
I could dig out my entire backyard and turn it into a shark tank. Perhaps I should give some thought to this. I could feed it neighborhood children who stray into my yard or possibly the neighbors chihuahua who is constantly growling at me and and has tried to bite me a time or two. (Fortunately for me, it's a chihuahua and can't even get it's teeth into my shoe leather.)

[Blueiz]

I think the garage with access to the back yard would be much better than crating, even if you were able to come home during the day. If you have a place such as this, it would make since to use it.. :)

Ask the pound if you can do a test run with the basset hound. It's origins are for hunting, so I really dont see its legs giving out on walks.

[luckydud13]

Get a golden retriever. They are layed back but athletic when you want to play, and are great "fireside" dogs. I have two and absolutely love them!

[A. Nonymous]

I think the garage with access to the back yard would be much better than crating, even if you were able to come home during the day. If you have a place such as this, it would make since to use it.. :)

Ask the pound if you can do a test run with the basset hound. It's origins are for hunting, so I really dont see its legs giving out on walks.

I kind of feel sorry for this particular guy. He was apparently brought in as a stray. Someone adopted him and kept him for all of 4 days. Then they thought he was too big and brought him back. I need to finish fencing off my yard first I'm afraid. I have about an 8 foot section that's unfenced.

[Blueiz]

I kind of feel sorry for this particular guy. He was apparently brought in as a stray. Someone adopted him and kept him for all of 4 days. Then they thought he was too big and brought him back. I need to finish fencing off my yard first I'm afraid. I have about an 8 foot section that's unfenced.

Speak to the ppl at the shelter and see if they will at least not put him to sleep before you can get him if no one else does.

AFA the reccomendation of a lab... That would be a good choice if you are willing to put in the amt of time and effort into its excecise. They get bored easily and need a "job". With being out of the house 9 hours a day, and adult dog, and a less energetic breed would probably suit you more. The last thing you want is to get turned off to dogs because of shenanigans that could have been prevented if you had the proper match to your lifestyle.

[A. Nonymous]

Speak to the ppl at the shelter and see if they will at least not put him to sleep before you can get him if no one else does.

AFA the reccomendation of a lab... That would be a good choice if you are willing to put in the amt of time and effort into its excecise. They get bored easily and need a "job". With being out of the house 9 hours a day, and adult dog, and a less energetic breed would probably suit you more. The last thing you want is to get turned off to dogs because of shenanigans that could have been prevented if you had the proper match to your lifestyle.

That was one of the mistakes I made with my last dog. He was a very high energy breed and I didn't realize it at the time. I was working 50-60 hours a week in a very, very high stress job which left me extremely stressed and worn out at the end of the day. Plus, I'm more of a couch potato by nature so the last thing I wanted to do was deal with a high energy dog who wanted to go, go, go. It definitely created some behavioral problems in the dog for sure.

I'm figuring a basset is laid back. I'm laid back. A basset's idea of exercise is a good walk around the neighbor hood 4-5 times a week or more which works for me too. If the dog is good with kids and I can provide him a warm area in the winter a cool area in the summer, I think I can have a good companion to exercise with and also chill with me in the house ever once in a while.

[DiDi]

I managed an animal hospital for 13yrs. I would say that there is no bad dog because it is really up to the owner to educate themselves about the breed they are looking into. I believe in obedient training any dog that comes into a household, it does not matter if it is a tiny tea cup size dog or a Great Dane. It is up to the owner to take responsibility for the dog’s actions, much like having a 2yr old that never grows up. I had a Great Dane that lived until he was 11yrs old and my English Bulldog is 10 now & they both have given me great joy. If you are having second thoughts, maybe you should really ask yourself if you really have the time and dedication to put into raising a dog. I have seen too many puppies euthanized because the owner thought the puppy would train themselves. I think dogs are great companions & will give you unconditional love. I hope you if decide to get a dog, it will give you many many happy years of joy & love

[Dwarf Puffers]

I could dig out my entire backyard and turn it into a shark tank. Perhaps I should give some thought to this. I could feed it neighborhood children who stray into my yard or possibly the neighbors chihuahua who is constantly growling at me and and has tried to bite me a time or two. (Fortunately for me, it's a chihuahua and can't even get it's teeth into my shoe leather.)


You could always get the basset some water wings, a suit of chainmail and teach him to swim; Then you could do both :idea:



































:D

[Sploke]

We just adoped a third dog, so my feelings are pretty clear :D There are a lot of things you can do to make owning a dog a lot less work on yourself, leaving more time to just enjoy the company. Like you said, fencing in the yard is a big one, either with invisible fence or a physical one (we have both). We also have a dog door into the house, so whether we are home or not, the dogs have full access to the yard all day, or to get inside. I'd look into doing the same thing into the garage if you don't want the dog in the house while you're not home. Keeping food, water, and a doghouse or bed in the garage will go a long way toward keeping the dog happy when you're not around. IMO there are so many dog breeds, if you want a dog then you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a breed that will fit in with your situation, you just have to do the research.

[snoopy65]

If you should decide to get a dog, understand that it could be a 10 to 15 year commitment. Which not only includes food, water, a place warm and dry in the winter, and cool in the summer. It also includes time. Dogs are pack animals. Being so they desire to be with their "pack" and they consider you to be a part of that. If they do not have time quite a bit of time with you they tend to be destructive in our eyes, but in theirs, they are merely gaining your attention. Like children, they don't care wether it is good attention or bad. Taking the time to teach your dog obedience tells them you are the "lead" dog and they are subordinate. If you do not spend time with or train your dog simple obedience, you will be in for a long haul as they will attempt to become the lead dog. I have owned and bred labs and beagles. Both of which are considered "high strung". All of my dogs are trained. They eat, sleep, and live in the house. I have never had a problem with any of them.

[Hurley]

Its been mentioned already but I just want to echo it, make sure you do some research into the dog, its temperament, and its energy levels. It is so important to pick a dog that works for your lifestyle. I have a friend who has 4 Huskys and does some work for the local Husky rescue. People adopt them because they are beautiful but they are highly intelligent and energetic and if they get bored they become very destructive so people give them up after a couple months. The way he keeps his entertained and exercised is he mushes them everyday. He even has a sled with wheels for when there is no snow.

My uncle has kept basset hounds for years and he takes them hunting with him. However, they, like many dogs, can be quite the barker if they are bored or don't get enough exercise.

I have to put my 2 cents in about Golden Retrievers. They are the only dogs my family has ever kept and they are great. My parents have 2 right now and they are the sweetest dogs. When I do decide to adopt a dog, I honestly don't think I would ever less then 2 dogs. Comparing having one with having two, the two do much better. They have each other to play with and keep company when we aren't there.

[swinneyw]

IF YOU GET A PUPPY THEY GET BORED EASY THEY LIKE TO CHEW ON THINGS AND SOME DOGS ARE DIGGERS A DOG THAT DIGS CAN KEEP YOUR YARD TORE UP JUST SOME THING ELSE TO CONSIDER

[A. Nonymous]

At my current job I have a significant ammount of time more than I had at the old place. If I was still working the hours I used to work I wouldn't even consider. I'm a laid back guy and somewhat of a couch potato. I don't mind a long walk in the evening after work, but I want to be able to crash and burn on the couch afterwards and not have a dog that's constantly dropping tennis balls in my lap. My garage is oversized so I have room to add a dog pen in doors with food, water, and a bed in there. The dog would be welcome in the house as long as I'm at home. I don't mind doing some training with the dog, but I don't have the time or the energy to spend 4-5 hours in the evening trying to train a dog.

[dixienut]

i would think your best breed would be a Great Pyrenees

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/dixienut/100_0537.jpg

i have 5 of them and they are low maintenance and low keyed
they love to snuggle and like walking, love going in the car and have to ride shotgun
but act more like cats, they don't demand attention and if your not there they are fine love outside and NEED fencing as they tend to roam,
males drool a bit , but my 2 females don't at all , my 3 males drool only in hot temps ,or when barking at u.p.s. man lol

but are protective in that they bark to ward off intruders so if your in town perhaps not then,

they are very prone to guarding but seldom bite unless to save your life,..

they are self thinkers and most times are smarter than you,..or at least they thinks so,..
they really are wonderful creatures, always worrying about you,.. they just shed their inner coat all at once so brushing is just a week long job,. then after that, its just a few hairs that fall like our own..

edit: there are many at the rescues that need homes, that why i have so many
they are a little uneasy at first, if they have been abused as they don't forget what has happened to them (free thinkers) just like us,..

[A. Nonymous]

Those dogs are so big though. I'm partial to mastiffs, but the dogs are just so huge. I should've mentioned earlier (and may have, but I don't know) that I need a dog that's good with small children as I have two nieces who are 2 and 3.

[dixienut]

Those dogs are so big though. I'm partial to mastiffs, but the dogs are just so huge. I should've mentioned earlier (and may have, but I don't know) that I need a dog that's good with small children as I have two nieces who are 2 and 3.

their is nothing that i would trust more with kids,
they even males will let a baby lamb nurse on them even tho they don't have facilities for it, they are the keepers of piece and my males except for the one baby i bred and raised aren't much larger than a rottie or a good sized lab,..

this is why i love this breed they will keep anything from getting hurt especially kids, they love them, this is why so many are given up because owners think they are aggressive but they are just protecting the kids and babies, even from the parents, they won't hurt ant one, just let you know they are watching you,..
this is what they are bred for they work /protect and drive sheep/goat in the pyrenean mountains all season without a human telling them what to do free thinkers

yes if you are the type to spank your kids in a way that is wrong and mean or worse they will and can stop you..

my husband is always mean to my animals and hates them and they know it, when my female had puppies she delivered day after Christmas out side in my garage and we wasn't expecting them for over a week so some froze, we brought her in and she raised the pups in the spare room we had and when my husband came in the house she would growl and tell him stay out of the room, but never has she ever said or done anything to him but back down like she should, except for her room and pups, so if she was going to do anything it would have been then,..
she never got up or anything just said I'm watching you,.
they know very well if someone is a threat or just needs told off,.. so i would never question them in any way unless you've just met the dog and it has issues but after even first meeting kids they know their babies ,. all babies are safe,.. they can hang on them and pull their ears etc they just say oh aint that cute,..lol my son did all the above to most of them,,
even the 2 new ones I've had for a year, one is 6 the other 11, so its instilled in them to protect,. and in these days and times of people with no money and stealing anything around I'm glad i have them all around my house,.. they scare the dickens out of anyone that comes around but i don't have to worry about them bitting anyone unless they are up to no good and hurting someone they care about,..
i have them in for visits (as they demand to be outside, they like it better even in this weather) all the time and they will help you up they will steady themselves for you to lean on them to get up etc they really know,.. very nice creatures from God,..

edit: most males are smaller than specs. and are around 95-100lbs
but they don't eat very much for their size as their metabolisms are very slow and only eat about 3 cups of food per day, any more and they vomit, but they don't eat like dog either they nibble like cats come back and snack, so you have to have a concentrated food to get the daily nutrients they need,.

[Mr. U]

IMO...It's not a good idea to get a dog simply because you have a bigger backyard. If all you want to do is toss the dog into the yard while you are away at work, you will end up with a dog with bad habits-a bored dog will get into trouble or will attempt to find something to do, somewhere else.

Regardless of the yard size, you really need to ask yourself if you are up to being the kind of owner the future dog needs. The dog is going to need you to set its boundaries and routines through proper training and exercise (yup, obedience classes and AM/PM walks).

In the gated community where I live, I have a small yard, and I own a Pit Bull/German Shorthair Pointer named Roxie. She is an indoor dog who lives with a cat. She had a routine of AM and PM walks, doggy park visits, and beach runs until her recent ACL injury. She is crate trained, so she travels well when on road trips and staying at hotels. She is a very quiet and well behaved dog (though she will woof at strangers knocking at the door, as she is allowed to do so), but that didn't happen overnight. She stays out of the kitchen, and doesn't get on my bed or couch unless I say so. She even waits for me to say if it's ok to pick up anything I might drop on the floor-this is good in case I'm taking a medication and it falls.

I have neighbors behind me who keep their dogs in the backyards, but don't "work" with them. These dogs are constantly barking when I attempt to perform yard work, and they even get into fence fights between them (there are 2 dogs in each yard). It gets so bad that 2 of them will end up fighting themselves.

Having a dog can be a pain for some people, but with hard work and diligence, you can enjoy the rewards of having a very good and behaved dog. You just need to really ask yourself if you have the time and the motivation to be the owner your chihuahua or Great Pyranees is going to need. Your dog can't do it all on it's own.

Don't feel too bad about having to wait for another time to get a dog. You can always get a betta in the mean time ;)

Good luck on your decision!
:thm:

[A. Nonymous]

Like I said, the size of the dog is what's turning me off to the Great Pyrenees. I don't really want a big dog. I'm not looking for a guard dog/watch dog either so that's not a big concern to me. Aside from that, they do sound like a great breed.

[dixienut]

as i said earlier pyrs are more mature about being alone, at times, most breeds of dogs are like kids always wanting you to entertain them, as why i'm a cat lover by nature, but ime these guys are like mature adults and only do their job and like to couch potato out, unless their are a lot of strangers around,..

mine sleep about as long as the cats do, but alas we have a few kids that like to walk up and down the road, (we are in the boonies) so this brings their attention to them,..
but i have a few pups (actually turned 3) that were sold to people living in jersy and upper pa in town and they are fine there, they go to doggy parks and i'm afraid the try to beg at the pizza shop as it is around the corner from his house, lol that has to be h*ll on the dogs it was on me smelled so good ll the time,.lol

[Blueiz]

There are a lot of other dogs big and small that will work well with your lifestyle. From the sound of it, you have your eyes on one.. If the connection is there, get it. It also sounds as tho an adult dog would more sort your lifestyle. There are drawbacks to that, but there are many pluses to that as well. With any breed there are going to be pros and cons, you just have to see if you are willing to deal with the cons to enjoy the pros..:)

[A. Nonymous]

I'm honestly not sold on just this dog. I just feel sorry for him. But I'm a soft touch though. This is something both of my nieces have figured out about me unfortunately.