OT: Talking dogs Tuesday
No, not talking dogs. Talking about dogs. Actually, my real reason for starting this thread is to seek advice from those more experienced than I. Here's the background: my wife and I just bought a house, and now that we don't have restrictions on pets, we really want to get a dog. We both grew up with dogs, so we understand the level of effort involved and all that, but I am hesitant since we both work full time. I feel like if we got a puppy, we'd be doing it a disservice by leaving it at home all day.
Naturally, the next thought turns to a rescue dog, and though we'd probably avoid the house-breaking stage with that option, I still feel like we wouldn't be good owners by leaving it at home all day. Maybe that's better than it being caged in a facility all day? We do have some neighbors who'd be able to help us out by letting it out during the day.
With that said, my question to the MGoCommunity is thusly: what have you done in this situation? Especially if you and your spouse work full time. Did you get the dog anyway and find a way to be a good owner? Did you get the dog anyway and are a bad owner? Did you just not get the dog?
And if anyone tells me to buy a cat, I will separate you from MGoPoints.
Have the highest incidence of cancer for dogs.
Forbes magazine had an article several months ago regarding a husband-wife team that started an animal insurance company that is doing well financially. The body of the article advised that 50% of all dog cancer victims are Golden Retrievers.
My sister had three Goldens and they all died of cancer before turning six years old. That is very tough on the family.
Get the dog. I found a way working on 2nd degree and working mostly full time. The dog figured out when I came home, it was walk time. it's continued to this day. Most dogs don't need more than 30 -45 minutes after age 2. I'm sure between two of you, you should be able to find that time 5-7 times a week. I find it relaxing.
I have a Vizsla which are high energy. He's left home alone all day and has run of the house, don't recommend that until 1-2 years old. But if you have a dog from a puppy he will learn your schedule and adapt.
First: Always adopt. It's the best way to go. The numbers of dogs that are put down yearly is staggering, and it's because of puppy mills and things of that nature. There is no reason not to adopt.
Second: Any dog can be a great dog for you, but understand the tendencies of your dog type. Every dog is an individual, so they stray from tendencies a bit, but tendencies are pretty accurate. German Shepherds, Rottweiler, Golden Retriever, Lab, Husky, all can be great dogs; but different dogs will make different demands of your time. Again, understand tendencies for a dog.
Third: Bigger dogs can hold it easily for 12 hours. Yes, when they are a puppy it's more difficult, but if you get a big enough cage they'll learn to go on one side and sleep on the other. Or build an outdoor pen.
Fourth: Smaller dogs (bigger dogs can too, it's just more of a mess) can learn to go in-doors. Pee pads and things of that nature can mitigate a lot of your concenrs. It'll take some time to train, but it's not an incredibly difficult thing to do.
Fifth: Any home is better than no home. Dogs are "pack animals" (that isn't a great term, but there is truth); they love to be a part of a family or pack that they see every day. I feel that a dog "makes me whole", but you and your family also help make a dog hole. We'd all like to and feel better about playing more with our pets, but do what you can when you can.
Sixth: Some dogs need tasks, some dogs need to pull, some dogs need to run, some dogs need to walk. Again, know your dog's tendencies and figure out what fits for your family. If you don't have a ton of time but like to go for a half-hour run each day, get a dog that likes to run. Want a big dog but don't want to run all the time, rescue and older mastiff that is well behaved. Fine with a smaller dog, some need more attention than others, but you can go that route too.
I absolutely love dogs, so I'm incredibly bias in this discussion. I've always wanted dogs and want more dogs now that I have one. I was a grad student when I got my own first dog, and I was worried about it. I commuted an hour every day, I had to stay late for research and often leave early for classes. I even had to keep her in the back of my SUV throughout the day a few times (on cooler days with the windows cracked) where I didn't have a choice or my wife was out of town completely. But my dog and I are like best friends now. She snuggles with me when I write my blog posts, when I sleep, when I watch TV. And look at her, how can you turn down a face like this:
Teaching the dog how to run the read option in multiple ways. She seems to be getting it. http://t.co/fS07ooruc8 pic.twitter.com/0r8JYrlfzj
— Space Coyote (@SpaceCoyoteBDS) December 19, 2014
I thought you needed dreadlocks to effectively run the read option!?!?
But more often she plays RB because she struggles a bit with reading the defense and relies too much on "pulling" the ball rather than handing it off.
"relies too much on "pulling" the ball rather than handing it off"
Then again, so did Denard!
do you like dogs or not? Your post is just too vague on this issue.
My wife and I have two dogs and both have full time jobs. It is no problem for us or the dogs to be gone all day. But we have a fenced in yard and a doggie door, meaning they can go in and out as they please.
My suggestions are - think about crate training and think about breeds. One of our dogs is a bassett hound, and he's happy to sleep all day. So he doesn't mind being home alone. Crate training is a good way to keep the dog out of trouble all day, but it's not for everybody or every dog.
Always crate train - I have had dogs for over 35 years and strongly believe crating is the only way to go when training. Dogs have a natural denning instinct, and the crate provides a safe place for them, especially when they are pups.
"My wife and I have two dogs and both have full time jobs"
So both your dogs work? Impressive.
I agree with having 2 dogs. They are pack animals and like to have a companion around all the time. We work 10-12 hour days so we have a dog door from the laundry to outside so they have access all day. We have a double flap door that works pretty well but our furnace requires combustion air so I was not too worried about getting it 100% sealed. It is important for them to have den space so they feel safe. Activity level is the most important consideration in getting a dog. If you do not give them enough activity, they will act up. We have basset mixes that require about an hour walk every day.
Try doggy day care if you have a good one and can afford it. We took our puppy to doggy day care frequently. She loved it, came home, ate and then passed out. Maybe a couple of days a week?
We did the puppy route but my wife and kids were home to take care of her. Still going at 15 years old - Welsh Springer. Other than happing a puppy is fun I think an adult adoption is a great choice.
That and look for your next job at a place that that offers work at home or allows dogs at work part time. I have a work at home job now and it makes caring for an old dog easier.
Great idea on getting the pet. He or she will be part of your family and you will probably not regret the addtion.
Get the dog a health care plan. I kid you not. Our first was a rescue dog. 'Sally' (a beagle) was a joy. We mourned her after the failed $3,500 cancer surgery. It bought her a few weeks and we are grateful for the additional time, but that $3,500 was out of pocket.
Give your dog one name and only one name. Our newish beagle 'Reggie" has no clue what his name is as my wife keeps giving him new names:
1. Reggie
2. Reggie Bobbie. I don't know why.
3. Bobbie Green. I don't know why.
3. Reginald - when he is bad.
4. Reginald Robert - when he is really bad.
4. Psycho - he has a mad half hour a couple of times a day.
5. Sparky (he chewed through a power cord) and he was having convulsions, but now is fine). I actually came up with that one.
6. Something in Latin meaning Sock Tyrant. Our youngest came up with that for his papers.
First off, mine are all mixed-breed/mutt rescue dogs these days. There is a need for them to find a home, they tend to have less genetic health issues than pure breds, and you usually get to skip all the house training. So if you're going to get a dog, I highly recommend getting one from a shelter. The volunteers will usually know the personalities and can tell you who will be a good fit.
Second, don't get a dog because you like the breed (or the majority breed if it's a mix), get one that fits your lifestyle. If you're going to be gone at work all day and don't have a dog door for unfettered inside/outside running, probably not the best idea to get a high energy, working dog like a Siberian Husky or Australian Cattle Dog. People tend to fall in love with breeds, but then behavioral issues start because the dogs aren't wired to sit home alone for 8-10 hours with nothing to occupy them. If you're active in the evenings and on weekends, then a Lab or German Shepherd are great. Otherwise if you like to lounge around and not go on nightly long walks, hounds and, surprisingly, Great Danes are perfect.
Lastly, it's far easier to own two dogs than one. Sure the food and vet bills are doubled, but that is outweighed by the fact that there is always another dog around to keep each other occupied, and they get reinforced socialization without having to go to a dog park or doggy day care as often.
This point just does not get made enough. "Purebred" is a euphemism for "unbelievably inbred," and genetic defects are the price animals pay for human insistence on particular physical traits. The dog-production industry continues to crank out genetic mutants, and people continue to buy them to encourage more of the same. It's a miserable fucking industry.
Great Danes overall are awesome dogs, but sometimes too gentle. Ours would literally go sit in the corner and pout when scolded.
Also, the size presents problems, such as pulling a large Hungry Howies pizza off the counter and swallowing it pretty much whole in about 25 seconds. Must be leash trained, as an excited Great Dane can damned near pull a car.
Finally, they don't live long. Average lifespan is 6. Ours flipped his stomach (we didn't get it stapled in place when he was a puppy, which we were unaware was available). We caught it in time but he died about a year later, at age 4 1/2 after being pretty miserable from the side effects.
Now I work from home mostly so I am planning on just one dog this round. I will always rescue for a variety of reasons - So I agree with the majority here - And have had good luck with both the local Ann Arbor shelter and a SE MI breeder that also does rescue for our preferred breed (German Short-haired Pointer)
Good Luck!
My wife and I are in the exact same position as you and your wife. We opted not to get a dog because we feel it would be unfair to the animal (to be cooped up all day while we're away). However, if you do decide to get a dog, get one that's OK with being alone for long periods of time (DON"T get a Border Collie, for example). We thought about a rescue Greyhound as they like it to be quiet and calm in the house. That said, they also like a large area where they can run and get exercise (we don't have that). Greyhounds can reach speeds of 35+ mph and can be out of your sight within 10 seconds. So, if you have a large, fenced yard, they might be a good option.
Adopt a rescue dog . . . too many dogs are euthanized just because of a lack of a home.
1. Pick a breed (or mix) based on your lifestyle. Do not get an Australian Sheepdog if you are pretty lazy and tend to sit around the house. Conversely, don't get a Great Dane if you like to run 5 miles a day. He'll stop, lay down and find a child to lick after about a 1/2 mile.
2. Always crate train. It makes your life easy and since you're not home much, will help immensely with house training (and cleaning).
3. Doggy obedience classes as a pup if it is your first dog. Really, they are more for the owners . . . to teach you how to properly train the dog.
4. Socialize the dog to other dogs (that is what's good about obedience classes) and to other humans. You don't want to be the guy on MLive who is going to court because his dog jumped the fence and mangled the mail man's leg.
5. For your first dog, do not get something huge (Great Dane, Newfoundland, St. Bernard, Mastiff etc.). Also, do noty get a breed that are typically difficult to train and require advanced training techniques (German Shepards, Irish Setters etc.).
6. If you are not home but for a few hours a day, don't get a dog. Get a cat. Cats don't care. Dogs are highly social and NEED to have human interaction, especially as puppies when thery are learning socialization skills.
I gave you fair warning.
You had a great post until the last paragraph.
I expected it. In fact, I am going to upvote you for stick-to-it-ness.
Let's do this. Leave the neg, but take the rest of the post (which you admitted was pretty good until the cat thing) to heart. I have owned many types of dogs.at they all have in common is a need for human companionship.
I will say this. It helps if you get two if you are not going to be around so much. They at least are not alone and you can put their crates side by side. Don't share a crate. It is tempting when they are pups but they grow out of it and the crate is suppsoed to be their own personal space.
+1 for taking the neg like a man.
Second you must not have much experience with dogs seeing as how the German Shepherd is voted at the top of most lists as easiest to train.
The kind of dog that needs a job and activity though
I saw adopt. If you need some ideas of where to look go here - https://www.petfinder.com/
With that said, I spend a lot of time with him in the evenings and walk him 3+ miles everyday, rain, snow, you name it.
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have a Boston Terrier. Very low maintenance dog. He lives in Michigan with my wife during the week and does fine during the day alone. She leaves at 6am and returns by 5:30pm. They are very portable dogs. I brought him to Ohio with me this week in a 5 hour car ride. I am fortunate, because I can bring him to work with me. In fact, he's taking a nap in his bed next to my desk. They love to go for walks but it is not a daily necessity. They can be pretty self entertaining with enough toys around.
Another poster mentioned health insurance for a dog. My wife and I would greatly second that motion. We purchased it when he was 4 months old AFTER 2800.00 worth of surgery at Michigan State. (I still hate that damn school, love their animal hospital) When we took him back for his checkup, I made sure he had on his UM harness.
Are GSP's.
We had three Dobermans that we got as puppies. None of them lasted more than 8 years due to heart issues. It's is really tough when your best buddy lives for only eight years.
We then got a GPS puppy that lived 15 years. They have a great personality but do need to run. I would not recommend if you have a small yard, but these are great dogs.
We rescued our current GSP from a pheasant hunting preserve because she could care less about birds and is afraid of loud noises (think shot guns). We think that she was probably beaten a bit. We live on two acres with an invisible fence so she stays outside when the weather is good.
She has now been with us for two years, is four years old and is a complete dreamboat of a dog. If not birds, then she loves to chase squirrels, rabbits, deer but not birds.
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Through grad school, law school, working late nights at a firm, and then when I finally got a job with more normal hours, after literally a lifetime of wanting my own dog, I finally got one. I found him at an adoption event. I could write a very, very long post about how much this big goofy guy (mix of black lab and Newfoundland) adds to my life, but suffice to say it's the smartest thing I've ever done.
My S.O. and I both work, but my hours aren't terrible, and I use doggie day care 3-5x per week and swing by the house on the other days to take him out at lunch. He had health problems when I adopted, so between that, daycare, food (he's 100+ lbs), etc., it's expensive. And time consuming. And makes travel harder. But life without this dog would be unimaginable.
Just to reiterate what almost everyone else is saying-- adopt. The number I heard is 6 million plus dogs every year in the US getting put to sleep. That's nothing but human stupidity and callousness.
Doggie Day Care is the way to go. I have so far held off on getting a dog due to full time work and no SO/roommate, but I recently had a friend and her two dogs crash with me for a few months, and I got somewhat accustomed to having a dog around. She does doggie day care for them, they seem quite happy with it and come home hilariously exhausted.
You also might want to find out if your work will let you bring a dog in. I wouldn't advise this all the time, but especially when you first get them, it would be good to build up a bond.
pup. no kidding, a black male from the mackenzie mountain range in alaska. i love the outdoors, was headed to cal in a few weeks, and wanted that thing so bad. but i said 'no'. with or without a wife if i couldn't give the animal the necessary time there was no way i personally was going to get one.
now on the farm, any animal must have a job to be here. we have a bird dog who also does a pretty credible job of sheep herding when asked. i'd consider getting another dog if it hunts or possibly is a guard dog type. i mention the guard dog type because the day my dad died in 2011 (i was downstate with him at that time) a giant newfoundland from down the road, without the slightest bit of coaxing or even the remotest contact, moved onto the front steps of our house and stayed there for a month. we all loved that big guy and he stood guard 24/7. eventually he walked home back to his original owners, but i'd get another one of him in a heartbeat.
We have had various dogs (some mixes, different sizes). Our current dog is a 13 year old Vizsla (see avatar). I noticed another poster has Vizsla experience. We love ours like crazy, but he was a handful in his first years. Tore apart everything in the house one day, hardly ever napped, howled loudly in the crate. In all: you need to have patience, and the ability to take the responsibility when they do something wrong. In other words: he tore apart our house, but it was our fault. Be prepared for messes (some dogs have trouble with house breaking - our's did not but his messes were more in the destruction category).
We went the doggy day care route, and it has been a lifesaver. Vizslas (like many other breeds mentioned) are smart and VERY energetic, with a strong sense of pupose. Even after day care, we would take him running or on very long walks. In retrospect, the above advice about getting two would have been a great approach.
Adopting is a great option - even if you want a specific breed, there are lots of breed-specific rescue organizations (either their sites directly or via Petfinder).
As I said, we've had dogs our whole lives: collies, terriers, mixes, golden retrievers...but nothing prepared us for the Vizsla. I would get one again in a heartbeat, but it was a tremendous education for us.
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When my kids were young my Bull Terrier had to be put down due to age. The WIfe and I adopted our first dog Charlie. We only adopt now.
We adopted Charlie an over weight 4 year old with loooow energy. She had German shepard coloring and big chest, but a little beagle head and legs. The kids said she looked like Charlie on the movie - All dogs go to heaven. I think she looked goofy, but she turned into a wonderful family friend.
I would suggest a little older(2 - 4 years) , low energy dog with short hair. Most Dogs adapt well.
The current dog Loki is a 23 pound Dachshund mix. The hair is short, but she is a little wild at times, but FUN.
Good Luck
It was a big decision for our family and I didn't want to get involved with a puppy mill. Our dog came from a rescue organization that makes sure their animals are housebroken, socialized, neutered, and know some basic commands before they are sent to their "forever home".
I picked up the dog out by Pittsburgh but she originally came from Kentucky and was picked up the day before she was to be put down. She was only 8 months old and had already been through a really crappy life. Her front leg was broken when she came from Kentucky and speculation was that she had been thrown from a car window since that is the way pups frequently break their front legs.
We had some minor adjusting issues but overall it was a fairly smooth transition.
Last spring she started to favor one leg and not knowing much about the dog, she's a lab mix, I assumed the worst since hip problems are very common in labs and she had just turned 6. My wife took her to the vet and was told rest, ice, then moderate exercise. She didn't get better.
This spring I took her for her annual checkup since I am more forceful as a consumer. It took the vet all of 30 seconds to check her kneee and he diagnosed a torn cruciate, ACL in humans. My dog had suffered with that injury for almost a year!
I found a animal hospital that does several of these surgeries a month and we had it repaired. I learned along the way that this is the #1 surgery for dogs. I never spent that much on an animal before, but she's family so there was no question about doing it. The surgeon said her other was partially torn and implied that it was from favoring it for so long.
We've changed vets since all this.
She had surgery March 20 and the total rehab is 16 weeks. She's not supposed to be offleash now but I allow her to be in the backyard with me off leash. First few weeks were really rough. We're only halfway through rehab but she already walks better than she did presurgery.
Here's what she looked like the day after she came home from surgery. LOTS of drugs but happy to be home.
OP, I don't know what your space limitations are but when I was researching breeds I learned that rescue greyhounds handle being crated very well because that is how they are handled. They are kept in a crate except for when racing or training and are accustomed to it and prefer to be crated even after adoption.
This is only research so maybe someone who has a rescue greyhound will tell you differently.
The best advice I have is to match you lifestyle to the breed of dog you want. I was raised with labs. They are great dogs. Our first dog was a chocolate lab. He was a good dog. But just a bit too big for being in the house. He passed away and we had a real void in our lives. We decided that we wanted a smaller dog that was good with kids. I am a hunter and wanted to be able to hunt with this dog. We decided to go with a Brittany Spaniel.
Cabella is a great dog. She is crate trained. She loves to run. She minds both adults and kids. She has a lot of energy which is ok because of our 5 acres. She will play fetch until your arm falls off. She also loves to swim in our pond. I don't think I will ever own a different breed.
If you have ever trained a dog, you can relate. I would have to say that her first point and retrieve of a pheasant was just about as cool as the first time my son put one over the centerfield fence.
Good luck on your search. Just do your research and you won't go wrong!