WHat kind of a dog should I get?

[CES]

I have three- from the street and the shelter...

The female pit/shepherd mix is the most possessive and protective. They're all spoiled, wonderful, and have completely different personalities. The hound/husky mix is completely laid back, and the terrier/doberman mix is like having a 50 lb jack russell.

I second the opinions to read up on dogs and check out the shelters. Spend some time with the dog before deciding- and please make sure you have enough time to spend with the dog before getting it. The bonding doesn't happen unless they get time, attention, and care. Training classes for you and the dogs are a good idea too.

 

[jj2]

Consider the commitment before you think about getting a dog. Even if it's for protection, it's still a pet.
It's more than feeding, water, & grooming---and some take A LOT of grooming.
The type dog you are talking about need to be walked---and some two or more times a day. Having a fenced in yard helps because you can "do a workout play" instead.
If it's for protection, you will constantly have to reinforce the training.
They need patience and loving care and people time.
Angus is right though, they love unconditionally and there is nothing like coming home to someone who is thrilled that you have.

I hope you consider an animal shelter. There are so many out there that need a home. Or someone like Angus who raised them. Just make sure to stay away form puppy farms---although those poor things need a loving home too.

 

[THE]

Dogs are like having a small child.They depend on you for everything.They need a steady routine.You have to feed,walk and bath them.They require alot of love and attention.You have to teach them and have patience with them.It takes time to build a bond of love and trust.Be very sure that you are ready for that much commitment before you adopt one.Being a pet parent will change your life.

Well.. You're right.. I don't want to bathe the dog, I was hoping they could just come into the shower with me. I'm told that some dogs do that..

I think it could be a good experience for me. Having my exes kids was a wonderful experience for me. I miss having something to be protective over. Like one time I almost got to bust up some 40 year old who hit on the fifteen year old.

I figure the dog can go out in the back yard instead of having walks. I just want to be sure and teach him not to in the grass. I wouldn't like that too well.

I figure that having a dog might be the one time being loyal to something/someone pays off for me, you know??

 

[THE]

I have three- from the street and the shelter...

The female pit/shepherd mix is the most possessive and protective. They're all spoiled, wonderful, and have completely different personalities. The hound/husky mix is completely laid back, and the terrier/doberman mix is like having a 50 lb jack russell.

I second the opinions to read up on dogs and check out the shelters. Spend some time with the dog before deciding- and please make sure you have enough time to spend with the dog before getting it. The bonding doesn't happen unless they get time, attention, and care. Training classes for you and the dogs are a good idea too.

That is a good point.. Spending time with them is important. As much as I hate my neighbors barking screaming dog, I feel so bad for him. The poor dog is alone 24 hours of every day, forgotten. He's out in the rain, the winter with ice hanging from his face shaking himself to death and half of the time he just quietly whines at their back door or bedroom window for some attention. The poor thing. I hate the but I'm not made of stone either .. that breaks my heart.

 

[CES]

Well.. You're right.. I don't want to bathe the dog, I was hoping they could just come into the shower with me. I'm told that some dogs do that..

I think it could be a good experience for me. Having my exes kids was a wonderful experience for me. I miss having something to be protective over. Like one time I almost got to bust up some 40 year old who hit on the fifteen year old.

I figure the dog can go out in the back yard instead of having walks. I just want to be sure and teach him not to in the grass. I wouldn't like that too well.

I figure that having a dog might be the one time being loyal to something/someone pays off for me, you know??

It turns out that dogs who come into the shower are a real PITA......
and in the grass beats the alternative locations. having a high tolerance for a furry floor is a definite plus. But mostly- they are worth every bit of extra time and attention and expense.

 

[THE]

Consider the commitment before you think about getting a dog. Even if it's for protection, it's still a pet.
It's more than feeding, water, & grooming---and some take A LOT of grooming.
The type dog you are talking about need to be walked---and some two or more times a day. Having a fenced in yard helps because you can "do a workout play" instead.
If it's for protection, you will constantly have to reinforce the training.
They need patience and loving care and people time.
Angus is right though, they love unconditionally and there is nothing like coming home to someone who is thrilled that you have.

I hope you consider an animal shelter. There are so many out there that need a home. Or someone like Angus who raised them. Just make sure to stay away form puppy farms---although those poor things need a loving home too.

The protection angle is a really good one.. Because if I want to go over to Wichita, as it is, you can't take a firearm with you unless you have paperwork... So that'd be nice to have a friend going with me who would be ready any time I was.

If I don't want to do all of the training myself, can I get one that is trained? Can you change handlers midstream like that? I swear I've heard of people buying dogs that were trained. . and I know people send their dogs to schools of obedience

One thing I don't understand is the discipline.. How do you discipline a dog?? You can't exactly spank them. Do you just use tone of voice? Clap your hands? What?

I would like to have one I didn't have to issue commands to all of the time. I'm pretty good at eye to eye communication and I'd like to use looks or expressions as much as I could instead of words, if they're misbehaving.. Just a thought

 

[THE]

It turns out that dogs who come into the shower are a real PITA......
and in the grass beats the alternative locations. having a high tolerance for a furry floor is a definite plus. But mostly- they are worth every bit of extra time and attention and expense.

They should make some kind of doggy carwash thing
It'd probably sell a billion

I don't know I think bathing a dog is sometimes a family gathering experience thing.. I wouldn't know about that kind of thing, come from kind of an odd family

I definitely don't want hair everywhere.. that's one good thing about a short haired dog. I know there's still hair, but not piles of it..

Can't you teach them where you want them to ? Like this... only on my neighbors yard, or his shoes. LOL!!!!!!!

 

[jj2]

Read the red........

Well.. You're right.. I don't want to bathe the dog, I was hoping they could just come into the shower with me. I'm told that some dogs do that..

Be prepared for this not to work. Human shampoo & soaps can dry their skin. Believe me I know since I buy special shampoo for my dog and then I still have to deal with dry skin and hot spots. On top of everything else she has allergies to things outdoors which complicates things even more.

I figure the dog can go out in the back yard instead of having walks. I just want to be sure and teach him not to in the grass. I wouldn't like that too well.

Think I've already hit on this. The backyard is fine but "play exercise" is still required. A good walk, trot, or run is even better.
They are going to do their thing in the backyard and unless you want it smelling to high heaven, you have to pick it up.
Also, if you take the dog for walks, take something with you. Nothing ticks off your neighbors more than leaving the deposit in their yard.



I figure that having a dog might be the one time being loyal to something/someone pays off for me, you know??

 

[jjrose]

And no matter what type of dog you get obedience classes are a must.

Remember that any animal you get is a forever commitment, it's not right to dump any animal, just because it doesn't fit into your current lifestyle, or has issues that you won't work through.

Just read above posts.....
You can buy a pre trained dog, but they tend to be very expensive. You can also hire a private trainer to come to you and work one on one. I have found that the owner should be involved in training from the beginning.

 

[whiskey]

I am a trainer at our local Canine Club, maybe you have a club in your area...attend some of the events & classes to watch, they are fun & you can learn alot by watching...you can also be up close to differnt types of dogs!!

 

[jj2]

If you really hate the bath idea, there are groomers.

 

[THE]

And no matter what type of dog you get obedience classes are a must.

Remember that any animal you get is a forever commitment, it's not right to dump any animal, just because it doesn't fit into your current lifestyle, or has issues that you won't work through.

I would NEVER just dump an animal.
Any time I've ever gotten rid of an animal I've either found it a good home or destroyed it. I don't know how people can stand to just "drop them off" somewhere. They need to be dropped off a cliff somewhere.

 

[THE]

Read the red........

Well, I didn't know that but it makes sense. Human soaps and shampoos have some pretty bad things in them. I don't know WHAT to do about the or pickup up problem. That's not really something I'd want to have one of my lady friends do for me. There are lines. Like rubbing feet. I'll never have anyone do that.

The groomer is an excellent idea..

 

[CES]

yeah- you can teach them to keep stuff in a single location. mostly, i think. Couple of mine will go only in the yard and not on walks

There are also some commands that my dogs get with just a direct look- like sit and wait for permission to eat when i put the food bowls down- but that's because i have been absolutely consistent with that one. not so much with some other commands

You'll definitely want to take any dog you get to school- it's to train the owner as much or more as it is to train the dog. Listen to whiskey and some of the other dogs handlers/trainers here. they know their stuff.

 

[CES]

That is a good point.. Spending time with them is important. As much as I hate my neighbors barking screaming dog, I feel so bad for him. The poor dog is alone 24 hours of every day, forgotten. He's out in the rain, the winter with ice hanging from his face shaking himself to death and half of the time he just quietly whines at their back door or bedroom window for some attention. The poor thing. I hate the but I'm not made of stone either .. that breaks my heart.

can you just steal that dog?
that kind of stuff makes my blood boil.

 

[THE]

yeah- you can teach them to keep stuff in a single location. mostly, i think. Couple of mine will go only in the yard and not on walks

There are also some commands that my dogs get with just a direct look- like sit and wait for permission to eat when i put the food bowls down- but that's because i have been absolutely consistent with that one. not so much with some other commands

You'll definitely want to take any dog you get to school- it's to train the owner as much or more as it is to train the dog. Listen to whiskey and some of the other dogs handlers/trainers here. they know their stuff.

Oh right right I've heard of that
The owners have to learn to be handlers
That makes a-lot of sense when you think about it

I have a-lot of experience, already, in being dominant with certain people.. And I believe that I can apply a-lot of that to having a dog. But I could be completely wrong.

And I'm sure that I still have A LOT to learn when it comes to being a dog handler.

 

[jjrose]

I would NEVER just dump an animal.
Any time I've ever gotten rid of an animal I've either found it a good home or destroyed it. I don't know how people can stand to just "drop them off" somewhere. They need to be dropped off a cliff somewhere.

It really ticks me off when someone brings a dog into the shelter, and their reason for dropping it off is a training issue, or it is no longer a cute little puppy. That's how I got my second skunk, someone bought a cute little baby, and didn't research their natural digging habits.

 

[THE]

can you just steal that dog?
that kind of stuff makes my blood boil.

Yeah.. I know how you feel.... I get mad and angry because it's barking.. then I get mad and angry because of the animal being so abused..

Don't you worry
The guy has a personal debt to me
This is personal

When the times come he'll get his
No one gets away with getting over on me

Just rest nice and peaceful .. I am going to rock his world

 

[THE]

It really ticks me off when someone brings a dog into the shelter, and their reason for dropping it off is a training issue, or it is no longer a cute little puppy. That's how I got my second skunk, someone bought a cute little baby, and didn't research their natural digging habits.

That's just like dropping it off somewhere. Maybe worse.
As I said. I've gotten rid of animals, before.. But they either go to a good home or they're destroyed.

 

[CES]

Yeah.. I know how you feel.... I get mad and angry because it's barking.. then I get mad and angry because of the animal being so abused..

Don't you worry
The guy has a personal debt to me
This is personal

When the times come he'll get his
No one gets away with getting over on me

Just rest nice and peaceful .. I am going to rock his world

eh, just help the dog if it's possible.