GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jul 25, 2013 16:44:08 GMT -5
So, we've given it a lot of thought over the past 3 years or so -- ever since we moved into this house with a fenced-in back yard and an awesome rail trail across the street. We want a dog, but haven't found one...yet. We ALL want a dog. But, YDS is just one of those kids who really, really NEEDS a dog, kwim? He used to ask us to go to the store and buy him a little brother when he was younger. He sticks like glue to DS's dog whenever we are around it. He talks about his friends' dogs with envy. He is just one of those kids who would sleep with and pat constantly and go for bike rides and runs and walks with a dog by his side every.single.day. if he had a dog.
YDS's birthday is Sunday. We think we found a dog. We have watched Petfinder for 3 years and couldn't find a rescue dog of this breed so we are going to buy from a family that bred the younger of its 2 female dogs (the other being the mother of the breeding dog) so that they could have a pup from the same line. Otherwise, they're not in the breeding business.
YDS is 15. Certainly old enough and responsible enough to care for a dog.
But, oy, getting a dog -- a puppy -- will be like having another baby for a while. I am up to the challenge, but want to give it one more analysis before we go for it.
So, if you have a dog, is there ANY reason you wish you didn't?
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jul 25, 2013 16:47:24 GMT -5
I can give you the reasons I'll never have a puppy again. And I can tell you why I'll never be single dog household again. But as to not having dogs, that's just not an option either C or I are even willing to consider. (Right now we're down to being a 2 dog household after being a 3 dog house for 14 months, and that's hard enough.)
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Jul 25, 2013 16:50:18 GMT -5
I wouldn't have one now because I am gone way too much. Me being out of the house for 12 hours on a work day is a short day. Like a I didn't have anything to do after work kind of day. I am also out of town a lot. If my situation was different in regards to how much I was home, I'd love to have another dog.
Being gone so much ended up being why the dog my ex and I had while I was in grad school went to live with his parents. It wasn't fair to her to be kenneled for 8-10 hours a day, every day when there was another option.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Jul 25, 2013 16:58:05 GMT -5
Go get em !!!
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jul 25, 2013 16:59:21 GMT -5
Right now is the only time I kind of wish I didn't have dogs. I got them years ago, long before kids. Now that I am so busy with young kids, they just don't get the attention they used to. But, they are older and more mellow, so they don't need the attention they used to either. But, if your kids are older so you won't run into that.
The only factor I would consider is what are his plans after HS. It may be his dog, but if he heads off to college, it will likely be in your care for the 2-4 years after that. Maybe longer. If that is fine with you, then go for it.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Jul 25, 2013 17:04:49 GMT -5
Normally, I would never recommend getting a dog as a present. But it sounds like you guys have already been looking for quite a while, so it's not an impulse. Puppies are alot of work, but so much fun. As long as someone can be home, at different hours, so the puppy isn't alone for extended periods of time. I say go for it.
What kind of dog?
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jul 25, 2013 17:08:32 GMT -5
Re: traveling and dog care: we already worked out trading dog sitting with other dog people we know. As for our daily schedule, I work very, very part-time. The dog would rarely be home alone for more than 4 hours at a time.
Re: puppy/dog activity levels: YDS (actually both DSs) is active -- shouldn't be an issue.
Re: his post-high school plans: I'm actually looking forward to taking over dog care in a few years. Truth be told, I want a dog but don't want to be the only one in the family who wants one. Everyone does, but YDS seems to need one, kwim?
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kent
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Post by kent on Jul 25, 2013 17:15:46 GMT -5
IMO, he's more than ready for a dog - every boy should have one. The reality of it is that when he goes off to school, you will become the dogs "mom" and it will all fall on your shoulders (but you'll LOVE it).
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Jul 25, 2013 17:17:29 GMT -5
Keep in mind, that a lot of dogs never hit petfinder, or even the shelter sites. You might want to contact a the breed rescue group. Often shelters contact them first when they take a dog in.
A little over a year ago, I filled out an application with the Aussie rescue. I was really specific on what I was looking for in a dog and figured I'd have to wait months for something close. Two weeks later, I had my dog. The shelter there had taken her in and wanted her to go to someone who wanted an Aussie, not just a dog. They contacted the rescue who contacted me. I called and we talked for an hour. I picked her up that weekend. She was over 200 miles from my house, and we met half way.
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Jake 48
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keeping the faith
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Post by Jake 48 on Jul 25, 2013 17:27:57 GMT -5
I love my dog more than the kids, she doesn't roll her eyes when I speak, hangs on every word I say, doesn't ask for money, the car or use my stuff. I keep telling DW that " if you wagged your tail the way the dog does when I come home, things would be a lot different around here"
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Jul 25, 2013 17:29:17 GMT -5
Is college away from home in his future? If it is, you will be taking care of the dog.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Jul 25, 2013 17:41:52 GMT -5
You son sounds like just the kind of boy any dog would be lucky to have.
Can't wait to see pictures of the doggy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 18:16:55 GMT -5
I would be SUPER pissed if someone got us a dog as a gift. I feel like unless someone specifically asks for a dog, don't do it. Otherwise it's like, "congratulations! You get to walk, feed, clean up after, and train this animal... all while you never asked for it!"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 18:40:55 GMT -5
If the dog and YDS (?) are going to have to part ways for college when the boy is eighteen and the dog is three... that could be a very traumatic thing for both of them. It would give me serious pause. Do you think the current house dog would welcome a puppy? How old is he/she... that is an important factor. Some old dogs don't react well to sharing their realm with a puppy/newcomer/interloper/intruder. As a matter of fact, some younger dogs can be very territorial as well.
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geenamercile
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Post by geenamercile on Jul 25, 2013 18:46:54 GMT -5
I would get him, sounds like you have thought this through and it will be a great addition to your family. We will most likely always have a dog, or at least little time between dogs. DH has said that he would like the next one to be short hair. I just remind him that I suggested that before but he wanted the big fluffy dog. Jen, I agree I would be piss if someone else got us or one of our DD's a pet, but we have given a pet as a present before. ODD loved it. Also sounds like YDS has asked for it, many times over.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 18:49:35 GMT -5
My only negative comment about a dog is that it can be really expensive. We have a cocker spaniel with allergies and ear issues. But even without that, it is a few hundreds for just routine issues. I'm not talking about food, etc. That is the yearly check-ups, heartworm, etc. She has had surgery three or four times, and she is only six years old. That was about $2000. That said, we love our piece of fur crap. She keeps DH company all day (he is retired) and makes me laugh. She sleeps right next to me. My grandkids asked me once if I loved Abby more than I loved them. I said, "No. Just because she always does what I say and never talks back is not a reason to love her best." I was lying. I will say that there are dogs and there are dogs. We always had dogs when I was married to the ex, but they were outside dogs. They needed minimal attention although I did carry one in my arms to the vet when he developed heartworms. He was a German shepherd. But Abby, the cocker spaniel, is an indoor dog. She's next to one of us 24/7. You've never felt like a god or goddess until you had a dog like that. I got Abby through Petfinder. She was at a local rescue. They are the best source! Rescues are typically more expensive than your humane society, in part because they are no-kill. So they don't kill the dogs if they don't get a home quickly.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 18:53:07 GMT -5
My only negative comment about a dog is that it can be really expensive. We have a cocker spaniel with allergies and ear issues. But even without that, it is a few hundreds for just routine issues. I'm not talking about food, etc. That is the yearly check-ups, heartworm, etc. She has had surgery three or four times, and she is only six years old. That was about $2000. That said, we love our piece of fur crap. She keeps DH company all day (he is retired) and makes me laugh. She sleeps right next to me. My grandkids asked me once if I loved Abby more than I loved them. I said, "No. Just because she always does what I say and never talks back is not a reason to love her best." I was lying. I will say that there are dogs and there are dogs. We always had dogs when I was married to the ex, but they were outside dogs. They needed minimal attention although I did carry one in my arms to the vet when he developed heartworms. He was a German shepherd. But Abby, the cocker spaniel, is an indoor dog. She's next to one of us 24/7. You've never felt like a god or goddess until you had a dog like that. I got Abby through Petfinder. She was at a local rescue. They are the best source! Rescues are typically more expensive than your humane society, in part because they are no-kill. So they don't kill the dogs if they don't get a home quickly. I believe all dogs are indoor dogs and do not agree with anyone who gets a dog and keeps it outside. Did you not give your dogs heartworm preventative? Also, purebred dogs have way more problems than mutts. and rescues are more expensive because they have already spayed/neutered the dog, gotten it up to date on vaccines, temperment tested it, and have possibly treated it for heartworms/parasites/medical conditions/etc.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 19:30:35 GMT -5
So, if you have a dog, is there ANY reason you wish you didn't?
At 4:40am I was standing outside my back door with our new puppy.
So, if you have a dog, is there ANY reason you wish you didn't?
As I was trying to read the above line my Valentines gift puppy was rubbing her nails in my beard (& ripping hairs out) because she wanted to go outside.
We (both the wife & I) ordered glasses yesterday because the puppy got both of our glasses & chewed them. I've now gone through 5 pair of computer headphones since the puppy got here (she killed them). Oh & shoes (pillows, mail, etc) & well I could go on & on. OH & she wakes me up by standing ON my face & licking downward. (That is a very unpleasant way to wake up btw).
Yes I love her & she is cute & sweet & no I wouldn't get rid of her for anything BUT I sure would like to get my wife something that would drive her crazy (for a gift, of course).
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violagirl
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Post by violagirl on Jul 25, 2013 19:30:46 GMT -5
I love my dogs. I wouldn't want to go back to 0 dogs. Depending on the breed of dog you get, you should make sure that if you are going to take over care in a few years that the dog isn't the type who only bonds with one person. i have a dachshund mix and he does not leave my side. While he is ok with my normal routine of going to work in the morning, if I leave the house at other times, he whines the whole time. The only time he doesn't is when we take him to the kennel. He loves the people there and doesn't even look back at me. Have you ever dogsat a friends dog? My nephew and nieces were after their parents to get a dog, so we loaned one of ours to them for the weekend. The novelty wears off pretty quickly. They got a budgie.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 19:34:04 GMT -5
My only negative comment about a dog is that it can be really expensive. We have a cocker spaniel with allergies and ear issues. But even without that, it is a few hundreds for just routine issues. I'm not talking about food, etc. That is the yearly check-ups, heartworm, etc. She has had surgery three or four times, and she is only six years old. That was about $2000. That said, we love our piece of fur crap. She keeps DH company all day (he is retired) and makes me laugh. She sleeps right next to me. My grandkids asked me once if I loved Abby more than I loved them. I said, "No. Just because she always does what I say and never talks back is not a reason to love her best." I was lying. I will say that there are dogs and there are dogs. We always had dogs when I was married to the ex, but they were outside dogs. They needed minimal attention although I did carry one in my arms to the vet when he developed heartworms. He was a German shepherd. But Abby, the cocker spaniel, is an indoor dog. She's next to one of us 24/7. You've never felt like a god or goddess until you had a dog like that. I got Abby through Petfinder. She was at a local rescue. They are the best source! Rescues are typically more expensive than your humane society, in part because they are no-kill. So they don't kill the dogs if they don't get a home quickly. I believe all dogs are indoor dogs and do not agree with anyone who gets a dog and keeps it outside. Did you not give your dogs heartworm preventative? Also, purebred dogs have way more problems than mutts. and rescues are more expensive because they have already spayed/neutered the dog, gotten it up to date on vaccines, temperment tested it, and have possibly treated it for heartworms/parasites/medical conditions/etc. My comment got lost. I never had indoor dogs. We lived in the country on eight acres. The dogs got medical care, etc. They didn't get heartworm preventative, but they did get heartworm treatment when they developed it. It was a different era. Also, I was a cat person. We had an indoor cat. It would not have worked out so well with a cat and large dog. Farm dogs are different than city dogs. Try and remember that I did carry the German shepherd into the vet's office for treatment. We took care of them. They even had "invisible fence" collars so they didn't get run over. But they weren't indoor dogs. They had an awesome life with a lot of area to roam. They were fine. Also, try not to judge so much. Some people have a different lifestyle than you do. Accept that.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Jul 25, 2013 20:10:07 GMT -5
I had a 150 pound dog and a cat. No problems.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Jul 25, 2013 20:20:01 GMT -5
Will someone please send DS a black lab?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 20:31:22 GMT -5
So, if you have a dog, is there ANY reason you wish you didn't?At 4:40am I was standing outside my back door with our new puppy. So, if you have a dog, is there ANY reason you wish you didn't?As I was trying to read the above line my Valentines gift puppy was rubbing her nails in my beard (& ripping hairs out) because she wanted to go outside. We (both the wife & I) ordered glasses yesterday because the puppy got both of our glasses & chewed them. I've now gone through 5 pair of computer headphones since the puppy got here (she killed them). Oh & shoes (pillows, mail, etc) & well I could go on & on. OH & she wakes me up by standing ON my face & licking downward. (That is a very unpleasant way to wake up btw). Yes I love her & she is cute & sweet & no I wouldn't get rid of her for anything BUT I sure would like to get my wife something that would drive her crazy (for a gift, of course). You did that when you married her! True! But I'm still thinking that it's time that I prank her.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 21:47:09 GMT -5
I had a 150 pound dog and a cat. No problems. Yay, you! One size doesn't fit all! I bet you knew that.
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Jul 26, 2013 5:54:20 GMT -5
We have four dogs - none were gifts! I think it's fine if you want to get your son a dog though, since you know what you are getting into.
As for puppies, it depends on the breed of dog whether it is going to be easy or if it is going to be hard. Our boxers were the easiest dogs to housetrain - a few days and they were good. On the other hand, our beagles were the worst. They would pee on our bed in the middle of the night until they were six months old (they would wake up, stand up and pee, no warnings).
We also crate train, though not at night. Ours get to sleep in bed, but they are crated any time we leave the house. It's not "cruel" as some people like to say, it is safe. They aren't getting into anything that could cause them harm, and these aren't the normal things you would think. A few years ago, when my boxers were probably 3 and 5, they had proved themselves enough to be out of their crates. They were fine for a long time, and then one day we came home and they had eaten a very large chunk of our memory foam mattress. We were very lucky that it didn't cause any blockages which needed surgery, though they puked and pooped memory foam for a day or two.
I do wonder about where you are getting the dog from. There is nothing wrong with someone "in the breeding business" if they are doing it correctly - showing their dogs, health testing their dogs, personality testing their dogs, etc. There are these responsible breeders, and they are worlds away from backyard breeders and puppy mills. I would recommend looking up the breed club - they should have a list of approved breeders. I also recommend breed specific rescue groups.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 7:02:49 GMT -5
I believe all dogs are indoor dogs and do not agree with anyone who gets a dog and keeps it outside. Did you not give your dogs heartworm preventative? Also, purebred dogs have way more problems than mutts. and rescues are more expensive because they have already spayed/neutered the dog, gotten it up to date on vaccines, temperment tested it, and have possibly treated it for heartworms/parasites/medical conditions/etc. My comment got lost. I never had indoor dogs. We lived in the country on eight acres. The dogs got medical care, etc. They didn't get heartworm preventative, but they did get heartworm treatment when they developed it. It was a different era. Also, I was a cat person. We had an indoor cat. It would not have worked out so well with a cat and large dog. Farm dogs are different than city dogs. Try and remember that I did carry the German shepherd into the vet's office for treatment. We took care of them. They even had "invisible fence" collars so they didn't get run over. But they weren't indoor dogs. They had an awesome life with a lot of area to roam. They were fine. Also, try not to judge so much. Some people have a different lifestyle than you do. Accept that. I don't understand this at all. why would you not spend the $10 or so a month for heartworm preventative but then spend hundreds on treatment? and I'm not sure 'it was a different era' means. I was born in 1965 - all of our dogs growing up got heartworm meds. and just because someone has a different lifestyle, doesn't mean I have to agree with it. Like people who get a 'pet' and then leave it chained up outside all the time. yeah, I'll judge them.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 7:11:48 GMT -5
I want to know what kind of puppy, too!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 8:10:09 GMT -5
Farm dogs are different than city dogs.
Our black lab comes in at night. She doesn't have the run of the house, just the laundry room/entry way and she can go in the lower level, she just chooses not to.
Anyhow, she MUCH prefers to be outside, and she's always whining at the door to go out. If she had it her way she'd be out at night too sleeping on her dog bed on the steps by the front door. She likes to patrol the property, visit with the barn cats, swim in the cattle pond... We have no fences, but she never leaves our property. Even when we all head out for a walk she stops at the edge of our lawn and doesn't follow.
She's big (95 pounds) and even though she's turning 12 this year she's still rambunctious and loves to run. Being an "inside dog" would be torture for her.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jul 26, 2013 8:14:53 GMT -5
My kids want a dog too. But they're 5 and 3.75 and we're still working on poop training the younger one... My stated timeline is "no dogs until everyone in the house is potty trained and sleeping the nights though"
And I admit, I have no desire to deal with a puppy. My plan is to contact the breeders around here and see if they've got an older dog that needs a home. I'm not breeding, I'm not showing. I just want a mostly lab mix or pure lab that's already house trained. A former roommate of mine used to breed golden retrievers. Her parents had a couple of dogs that they'd gotten a couple of litters from and were done breeding them. A couple of them lived with her/us and they were great dogs.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 8:23:37 GMT -5
That was my thinking too! I had very little experience living with dogs, so I thought I'd take an older dog in to learn the ropes. They'd get to live out their days in a loving home and I would get used to having a dog. DH grew up with dogs and he really wanted a puppy, so when I was scouring Petfinder I'd look at dogs up to 3 years old. Our little lady was 6 months old when we got her and it worked out well for me, since she was pretty much potty trained already (she had 1 accident the first week and that was due to us not knowing her signals yet). She is crate trained and it really is the safest place for her when we're not there. Our cat is still miffed that we brought another animal home!
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