I'm going to try and not be the guy trying to kill wishful thinking so I'll start this off on a good note. (None of this is directed at you Bobby, these are all the points I put myself through before bringing home a pet.)
Owning a dog can be absolutely amazing.
Sadly, not all dogs are easy to own.
Before you decide to jump on adopting a dog you should really sit down and make sure you are aware of the time/effort/money/and responsibility required.
The one thing that you don't always consider is that proper ownership can be expensive; vet bills, medication (flea/tick/heartworm/etc), food, etc. If you find yourself in a position now where you could use some additional money to make like a little 'easier' then ownership might not be a wise choice at this time. Many people own animals yet don't take the time/spend the money to care for them properly and this is in no way fair to the animal.
Your dog is going to want to spend time with you as much as possible, if you're already working a 40/hr/wk job and still look to go out most nights with friends then again, it wouldn't be fair to the dog. Your dog won't want to spend the entire day alone (or with another dog) while you're at work followed by you coming home to just sit on the couch and watch TV.
If you're willing to be there for your dog financially, as a companion and as a leader(trainer) then I see absolutely no reason not to bring one home.
Personally, I like dogs that don't shed or shed very little. I also prefer medium sized dogs and ones that aren't naturally aggresive.
As a dog owner my whole life, I will say the best dogs I have owned have been those adopted from the local shelter. Go to your local shelter and visit with the staff who run it as well as all the dogs there, go multiple times and find one.
Different breeds of dogs have different temperaments, attitudes and abilities. The key to a "good dog" is with the owner and the way the owner handles the dog. You must be patient, caring, but stern. The dog must know who is the pack leader.
Most of all, getting a dog is a plus. I don't think anyone will steer you wrong in this, good luck.
I guess I haven't done as much homework as I should've, but think I'm ready. With moving into the townhouse I'll save a crapton of money on rent and don't have to work part time job in addition to my full time job. Do a lot of outdoor stuff so the dog can come with me (hiking, boating, etc.). Petmeds for meds and my uncle is a vet and will write scripts for the dog.
Dogs are big responsibility bro. Do your research well. I like small dogs since I could train them to use pee pads easily. I got three chihuahuas. Never have to take them out. I could leave some food and water out and leave them home for a few days at a time if I need to. They live long. Less genetic disorders etc... Those things play an important role for me.
fabulous
Quote:
Originally Posted by spud
No one gives a fuck about your puff out your chest bravado.
As a dog owner my whole life, I will say the best dogs I have owned have been those adopted from the local shelter. Go to your local shelter and visit with the staff who run it as well as all the dogs there, go multiple times and find one.
^this
big second to multiple visits. Don't rule out the somewhat older dogs either, they can make great pets who are down with your whole hiking/Dexter regime. I think one of mine would even hold the cling wrap for me if I asked him....
I've worked with both of these groups and one of my dogs came from Lost Dog
just rescued a dog last week. i adopted a 10 month old pitbull and she's the most well behaved dog i've ever had. i have no idea how the original owner let this dog go stray but she's already house trained and very well behaved around my 3 kids, me and my wife. i've had dogs my entire life and she's by far the best behaved dog right out of the gate.
like everyone said, def do the research before you go and get a dog and if you do decide to get one, they're great to have in your life. i highly recommend this shelter if you're in nova. great people and they recommended a great dog for our family.
I love my pit and my wife's yorkies. I've. had. an Akita. awesome. dog. but. way to big. for townhouse. living. unless. you. can. take. them. for. a run at least twice a day I wouldn't get anything over sixty pounds for a th just not fair or healthy for the dog imo
Don't turn the lights on and I won't run!!
Last edited by scooby61; November 19, 2012 at 07:42 PM..
I love my pit and my wife's yorkies I've had an Makita awesome dog but way to big for townhouse living unless you can take them for a run at least twice a day I wouldn't get anything over sixty pounds for a th just not fair or healthy for the dog imo
I read this post 4 times and couldn't make it past halfway all 4 times.
Biggest. Run. On. Sentence. Evar.
Chris
Elite Racing
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Godspeed Bam Bam
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I read this post 4 times and couldn't make it past halfway all 4 times.
Biggest. Run. On. Sentence. Evar.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scooby61
I love my pit and my wife's yorkies I've had an Makita awesome dog but way to big for townhouse living unless you can take them for a run at least twice a day I wouldn't get anything over sixty pounds for a th just not fair or healthy for the dog imo
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