Getting a dog

[John D. Villarreal]

I love dogs

 

[HejiraHenry]

Another vote for retired racing greyhound. Great house dogs.

Whatever kind you get, get one with a brain big enough to include an off switch. The little ones don't always come with those as standard equipment.

 

[Diabeetus]

Thanks for all the help/advice so far! More for monetary purposes, I've been calling to different humane shelters across my state. Apparently most places get young pups in about every 10 days-two weeks.

The training part is what makes me most apprehensive. I've been reading up on all these ways to do it (and no, I could never be physical with a dog...I couldn't even do a newspaper whap on the nose). I just want to make sure I do it the right way and that the dog turns out well-behaved and nice.

Are adopted dogs any easier/harder to train?

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Are adopted dogs any easier/harder to train?

Often depends on their background, which you can't always know. Adopting a 1- or 2-year-old dog that has lived in a home can save you a lot of grief, as it's likely housetrained and might be through the chewing stage (shelters usually have the prior owner fill out a form about the dog's behaviors and training). And at that age, they're still young enough that they're very trainable. Puppies are cute, but they're a handful and you have to make sure you're up for it.

Shelters have a lot of young adult dogs people put in there for stupid reasons like "I'm moving somewhere and can't take him," "We're having a baby and don't have time for him," and "I didn't know he was going to get so big." Or the dog just has a lot of youthful energy and the people don't take time to exercise it.

I've known many people (including myself) who have gotten great dogs this way. Plus, if saving an animal is your motivation for going to a shelter, keep in mind that puppies and kittens will almost always get adopted quickly; if you get an adult dog you could be saving its life.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Oh, also, keep in mind that according to a study by Consumer Reports, a mutt costs literally thousands less in vet bills over the course of its life than a purebred, which will likely have several problems peculiar to its breed.

 

[Diabeetus]

Are adopted dogs any easier/harder to train?

Often depends on their background, which you can't always know. Adopting a 1- or 2-year-old dog that has lived in a home can save you a lot of grief, as it's likely housetrained and might be through the chewing stage (shelters usually have the prior owner fill out a form about the dog's behaviors and training). And at that age, they're still young enough that they're very trainable. Puppies are cute, but they're a handful and you have to make sure you're up for it.

Shelters have a lot of young adult dogs people put in there for stupid reasons like "I'm moving somewhere and can't take him," "We're having a baby and don't have time for him," and "I didn't know he was going to get so big." Or the dog just has a lot of youthful energy and the people don't take time to exercise it.

I've known many people (including myself) who have gotten great dogs this way. Plus, if saving an animal is your motivation for going to a shelter, keep in mind that puppies and kittens will almost always get adopted quickly; if you get an adult dog you could be saving its life.

The saving life part is one I've taken into consideration. I just wouldn't want it to die somewhat early in the process. I want one that'll be around more than 10 years. They are really cute at every stage, though.

 

[Diabeetus]

Oh, also, keep in mind that according to a study by Consumer Reports, a mutt costs literally thousands less in vet bills over the course of its life than a purebred, which will likely have several problems peculiar to its breed.

That's the good thing about puggles - their breed by definition is a mutt :D

 

[KG]

Honestly the best thing you can do for training is when you first bring it home (if it's not potty trained) is to take it outside every half hour and lead it around. That way it can learn that you will be taking it outside to do it's business. If it goes potty, wait an hour in between the next times of taking it out. Then after successful potties, stretch it futher and further. Of course this way is only possible if you start on a day off or if someone else will be there while you're at work, but it eliminates the need for worrying about accidents for the most part.

I did it with mine and he's only had two accidents in the four years I've had him. One of those he was sick and the other was from getting too excited from my husband playing too wildly with him (chasing him around in circles like a bafoon).

Convincing my dog to stay away from the garbage was the hard part. I ended up putting a baby gate at the kitchen door to eliminate that problem.

His drinking problem on the other hand....

Just kidding. He got it stuck on his head after trying to get into the garbage. I couldn't resist making him wait a little longer to get it off after coming home from work to that sight. That's a picture I had to have. Poor thing was walking around with it stuck on his head.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

For life expectancy, small dogs generally live longer (just like small people). And avoid Boxers, which have a very short lifespan because of a heart deficiency.

 

[John D. Villarreal]

I love dogs & I love SJ!

 

[KG]

Do small dogs really live longer? I thought it was the other way around. I would expect most any breed would be around at least 10 years.

My dog is a chow/basenji/maybe some collie and shepherd too. He's a very pleasent mix, whatever it all is. He's protective, yet he's quiet. He rarely barks, which is a huge blessing (part of the basenji breed). I know I'll outlive him, but I just can't imagine him not being around. I am more than just attached to him. He's more like this growth that I can't seem to get off my side. Just kidding. He and I are like two peas in a pod. He's my little bud.

 

[outofplace]

I will not say why, but I praise those of you staying on topic on this thread.

I think life expetency varies quite a bit with the breed, just like a lot of traits. Different breeds are prone to different types of health problems.

 

[crusoes]

Can I use this thread as a public service announcement? Labradoodles are cute as hell, yes. As are puggles.

But do me a favor, diabeetus and any others looking: Save $500, go to the shelter and pick up the first little rugrat that comes running to you.

You've got your new best friend, and you saved a life.

And you don't have all the drama you get with purebreds.

Any dog, basically, is a dog. They look up to you to lead them and they will comfort you when they sense you're upset. They'll guard you and drive you nuts. (Mine does both when it comes to chipmunks. Barks hysterically to warn them away at 6 a-****ing-m.) And almost any dog will do that. You can get all that for just a few bucks at the shelter.

Any expenditure of money for a certain breed is for your own ego. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a better dog.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Do small dogs really live longer? I thought it was the other way around. I would expect most any breed would be around at least 10 years.

It's a pretty broad generalization, but yeah, they do. My last dog was a Golden mix who lived to 15, but that's pretty rare. A 15-year-old miniature poodle, on the other hand, isn't uncommon.

And I agree with Joel -- Go to the Humane Society and the dog for you will probably make himself/herself known to you pretty quickly.

 

[TyWebb]

Haven't read the rest of this thread, but I just need to interject that golden retriever puppies are the best puppies for my money. They are still great dogs when they grow up, but as puppies, it doesnt get any cuter.

 

[pallister]

Don't get a fancy dog with papers and all that crap. Waste of money. Get a mutt, they've got character. And the cheaper the better. The two dogs I have now I got for free: one out of the back of a pickup truck and the other from a family who couldn't keep a puppy around (they posted a 'Dog available' card at the vet).

 

[Firstime Caller]

Wanted to add one thing. I've volunteered at shelters, rescues and pounds. If you're interested in a purebred or a particular breed or even those designer breeds (labradoodles, puggles, etc.), they're often available at shelters and the pound. Also many breeds have rescues - Poodle rescue, Beagle rescue, etc. - if you have your heart set on a particular breed. So you don't have to chose between saving a life and getting a particular breed. Frankly, there's no reason to waste money on a breeder when you can save a life.

 

[Diabeetus]

Thanks for all of the kind sentiment, but as stated earlier, if I do get one, it will be from a shelter. :D

My best friend's mom was head of animal control for a decent-sized city, so I know there are tons of good dogs in them. Glad to see others spreading the message, though!

 

[In Exile]

KG is absolutely correct about the potty training method. My golden puppy had exactly three in house accidents and was trained in about three days, and crate training is good for both dog and owner. I always tell my friends who are getting dogs that for the first month or so, puppies are more work than babies, and if they don't think they could take care of a baby for month, don't get a puppy.

Eventually, you'll discover that two dogs are better than one - they entertain each other, play, and remind each other they are dogs. Got a golden puppy after our last one passed, then about nine months later got a six-month old sheltie. I never trained the sheltie at all. She's so smart she learned everything in about a day and half from watching Sam the golden. I'm lucky because I live on a large piece of land far off the road. The dogs are out most of the day and never, ever stray. The rest of the time is like a Warner Brothers cartoon, minus the explosions.

 

[Tom Petty]

KG is absolutely correct about the potty training method. My golden puppy had exactly three in house accidents and was trained in about three days, and crate training is good for both dog and owner. I always tell my friends who are getting dogs that for the first month or so, puppies are more work than babies, and if they don't think they could take care of a baby for month, don't get a puppy.

Eventually, you'll discover that two dogs are better than one - they entertain each other, play, and remind each other they are dogs. Got a golden puppy after our last one passed, then about nine months later got a six-month old sheltie. I never trained the sheltie at all. She's so smart she learned everything in about a day and half from watching Sam the golden. I'm lucky because I live on a large piece of land far off the road. The dogs are out most of the day and never, ever stray. The rest of the time is like a Warner Brothers cartoon, minus the explosions.

but do anvils fall out of the sky every coupla minutes?