Suppose I lost my mind and got a dog

[zibazinski]

That's cruel. 

[Deleted]

My dogs all LOVED their crates.  After they were housebroke I would leave the door open to them but it's still where they spent 90% of their time when not outdoors. 

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 9:07:56 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Sept 18, 2014 8:35:45 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

what do they do with the ones who don't hunt/retrieve/whatever?

The vast majority of hunters I know don't breed dogs.  They buy a started puppy or train them up and keep them forever.  We're talking "Tucker" is in the kid's senior class pictures kind of thing.

I know two breeders of hunting dogs.  Both labs.  They only produce a litter every year or two and they're in high demand and spoken for long before birth.  Many just sell as pets and never see a duck.

It might be a different story with hounds though.  I don't know.  That's kind of a different world where they hunt with larger packs.  When I was growing up I had a friend whose Dad competed in field trials and they had dogs everywhere.

ok, the statistics from NC shelters don't lie so anecdote does not equal data.  the hunters you know don't their dogs.  the shelters in NC receive hundreds of starved, neglected dogs from hunters after hunting season.

[Wisconsin Beth]

I couldn't crate my dogs.  But we had enough extra bedrooms that they got their own room with a babygate at the door.  Which they did manage to knock down when they really wanted out of there. 

I'm not saying crates are bad or anything, just that I can't do it.  Problem in owner not in dog (PIONID, hmmm, there's got to be a better acronym for that...) 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Sept 18, 2014 9:38:00 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

Sept 18, 2014 9:07:56 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

The vast majority of hunters I know don't breed dogs.  They buy a started puppy or train them up and keep them forever.  We're talking "Tucker" is in the kid's senior class pictures kind of thing.

I know two breeders of hunting dogs.  Both labs.  They only produce a litter every year or two and they're in high demand and spoken for long before birth.  Many just sell as pets and never see a duck.

It might be a different story with hounds though.  I don't know.  That's kind of a different world where they hunt with larger packs.  When I was growing up I had a friend whose Dad competed in field trials and they had dogs everywhere.

ok, the statistics from NC shelters don't lie so anecdote does not equal data.  the hunters you know don't their dogs.  the shelters in NC receive hundreds of starved, neglected dogs from hunters after hunting season.

I did a very quick search earlier today.  Apparently part of the problem is that you hunt hounds in packs.  So you send 10 dogs out.  The other 4 don't come back.  And some owners do not go looking for the missing dogs, which could be hurt or just lost. 

I'm not aware of hound/pack hunting happening here but the hunters I know are mainly deer and turkey. 

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 9:38:00 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

Sept 18, 2014 9:07:56 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

The vast majority of hunters I know don't breed dogs.  They buy a started puppy or train them up and keep them forever.  We're talking "Tucker" is in the kid's senior class pictures kind of thing.

I know two breeders of hunting dogs.  Both labs.  They only produce a litter every year or two and they're in high demand and spoken for long before birth.  Many just sell as pets and never see a duck.

It might be a different story with hounds though.  I don't know.  That's kind of a different world where they hunt with larger packs.  When I was growing up I had a friend whose Dad competed in field trials and they had dogs everywhere.

ok, the statistics from NC shelters don't lie so anecdote does not equal data.  the hunters you know don't their dogs.  the shelters in NC receive hundreds of starved, neglected dogs from hunters after hunting season.

I still dispute this.

most hunters just breed their own and then them when hunting season is over

Just because there are a bunch of idiots in NC doesn't mean most hunters are like that.

[hoops902]

Find the breed by reading up a little or taking one of those little online surveys.  Find a reputable breeder or rescue of that particular breed.  Buy it.

Don't go to a random humane society and expect that they have any idea what breeds are in your mutt (they're just looking and guessing based on the look).  If you don't really care, it's a great way to adopt a pet.  We didn't care other than not wanting a tiny dog.  Our adopted dog worked great, but we didn't care about what breeds were in him though we had it narrowed down at least a little.

[steph08]

Get a dog that fits your lifestyle. Don't get a high energy dog if you want it to be a couch potato. Don't get a lazy breed if you want to take it on hikes all the time.

We crated our dogs. It was great. They are all 3+ now and fairly reliable in the house so we let them out. But the crate is still set up and you can often find one or more of them laying in it when we are home.

One of our boxers was the easiest dog to train. He peed on the floor once and that was it, never did it again. Our beagles were the hardest to train. They would pee on our bed in the middle of the night up through 6 months of age. So stubborn. They would sniff every inch of grass outside for 20 minutes but forget to pee. The boxer was potty trained in the dead of winter in Pennsylvania, so he learned to do his business quickly so he could go back inside.

[Gardening Grandma]

Sept 18, 2014 9:16:31 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Sept 18, 2014 9:15:12 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

A dog is a permanent two year old. If you want to go anywhere without the dog, doggie daycare. Vet bills. Food. 

A two year old that you can put in a crate and leave all day when you go to work. 

We crated our dog when she was a mischevious puppy and could not be trusted in the house.  Haven't had to crate her in years.  As long as she is walked first (so she is empty), she can be left alone in the house all day if necessary (I try to avoid that as she gets lonesome for me).  A crate can be a good training tool but if you have to crate a mature dog to avoid damage, then something is wrong (imo)

ETA
Her crate is still set up in the downstairs with a cover over it and the door removed.  Sometimes she likes to go lay in there where it is dark and quiet.

[Firebird]

Uh oh, two more pages... should I be worried?

So I had a dream last night that I found a hella cute golden retriever puppy on the side of the road.  I put it in my car and wrapped it up in a blanket, then I went to see shanendoah (who also had a new dog - black and large).  She encouraged me to keep in, despite what she said yesterday. 

Make of that what you will. 

Okay, off to catch up.

[Firebird]

And I highly recommend boxers if you want my opinion.

The family next door that I've mentioned in the past has a boxer.  It's a very sweet dog named Porkchop, which I think is adorable

It is kind of like having perpetual toddlers that get into things, have to be kept entertained and will follow you every where. You will not have one moment alone. They need daily physical and mental stimulation. Do you have that kind of time?

LOL NO.  Thanks for the perspective on that!    I knew there was a reason I was putting my foot down about this not happening anytime soon.

Sorry- your post said "Brittany (no idea what that is)", so I thought maybe you weren't familiar with them. I am also not a huge fan of Cockers.

It was me who didn't know what Brittanys (Brittanies?) were.

BTW what was involved in potty training your cat. All I have ever had to do was take them to the litter box and scratch their paws in the litter. It's one of the biggest bonuses to cats, other than being able to leave them 3 days worth of food and water and let them stay home alone once in a while.

I had two requirements for our cat:  She had to be hairless and she had to (eventually) be potty trained.  I can't deal with the smell of kitty litter.  DH has trained cats to use the potty before and promised me it would be done.

It took two attempts over roughly a year, I'd say, before she was completely trained.  We used Litter Kwitter, which basically starts out as a litter box on the toilet and you gradually reduce the size of the hole (and the amount of litter) until the cat is comfortably on the regular seat.  

www.petsandvetssupplies.com/litter-kwitter-cat-toilet-training-system/?gclid=CLv105mP68ACFYhefgodKYEAYQ

It was a thoroughly disgusting process (give me diapers any day) but so worth doing, because now we never have to deal with kitty litter.  She has the occasional accident but I'd much rather clean up a little pee here and there than scoop that gross and smelly stuff constantly.  Plus everyone is amazed by her

[Wisconsin Beth]

Sept 18, 2014 10:52:58 GMT -5 Firebird said:

BTW what was involved in potty training your cat. All I have ever had to do was take them to the litter box and scratch their paws in the litter. It's one of the biggest bonuses to cats, other than being able to leave them 3 days worth of food and water and let them stay home alone once in a while.

I had two requirements for our cat:  She had to be hairless and she had to (eventually) be potty trained.  I can't deal with the smell of kitty litter.  DH has trained cats to use the potty before and promised me it would be done.

It took two attempts over roughly a year, I'd say, before she was completely trained.  We used Litter Kwitter, which basically starts out as a litter box on the toilet and you gradually reduce the size of the hole (and the amount of litter) until the cat is comfortably on the regular seat.  

www.petsandvetssupplies.com/litter-kwitter-cat-toilet-training-system/?gclid=CLv105mP68ACFYhefgodKYEAYQ

It was a thoroughly disgusting process (give me diapers any day) but so worth doing, because now we never have to deal with kitty litter.  She has the occasional accident but I'd much rather clean up a little pee here and there than scoop that gross and smelly stuff constantly.  Plus everyone is amazed by her

I hate to break it to you Firebird but people are amazed because she's so creepy looking not just because she's potty trained! 

[Firebird]

I hate to break it to you Firebird but people are amazed because she's so creepy looking not just because she's potty trained!

You wouldn't believe how many people are rude enough to tell me to my face that my cat is the ugliest/creepiest thing that they've ever seen.  I don't even take it personally anymore (because it's literally almost everyone who meets her), but seriously?  You wouldn't tell someone how ugly their child was, right?  I get that she's not everyone's cup of tea but there's no need to go on and on about it like my SIL did on her last visit.  

Anyway, I don't care what anyone else thinks - we think our cat is gorgeous and that's what matters

[Deleted]

I don't know.  There's definitely a creepy factor there. 

[Firebird]

Sept 18, 2014 11:17:52 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

I don't know.  There's definitely a creepy factor there. 

Only until you meet her.  I deliberately chose the intimidating photo

In real life she's a cuddle bug and a sweetheart.  She always goes to sleep right on DH's shoulder and comes over to me in the middle of the night to huddle against my side. 

She's the sweetest cat ever and I her.  I tell her how beautiful she is all the time to offset the mean comments

[Firebird]

Oh yeah, I probably forgot to mention that I'm allergic to a lot of dogs.  Not nearly as much as I was as a kid, but still enough that it will be a huge factor in what kind of dog we get.  And yes, it would be very good if it didn't shed.

OT - Firebird...what was decided regarding your DH taking the job in Seattle and moving up there ahead of you?

The particular job he applied for (the transfer position) has so far blown him off in responding (pretty typical of his company, I have very little patience for their nonsense these days).  He's still applying for other jobs.  He just applied to be a buyer at REI, which I don't even dare hope for because that is his DREAM JOB and he would be perfect for it.

But anyway, we're planning to move sooner than later.  There's a chance that I might be let go from my contract in November or January, which would be fine with me.  I don't see us staying longer than that and if they let me go, then I could collect unemployment while looking for a new job in Washington.  Once I found one, we could all move together.

So anyway, it's still something we're working toward and we're willing to split up if it's absolutely necessary but I think we're at the point where if one of us gets a job, we'll just try to get out of our lease and make a clean break together.  Our landlord wants to move back in once we leave, so he said he might be willing to let us out early depending on circumstances.

I can't wait... if I had my way we'd be moving tomorrow.  Well, maybe this weekend

I wish we could get a cat. DH is allergic. I know there are some hypo-allergenic kinds..

My hairless kitty, contrary to popular opinion, isn't actually hypo allergenic.  However, being very allergic to most cats myself, it only took me a few weeks (month tops) to become immune to her.  I'm MUCH less allergic to her than I am to a lot of other cats because the oils in the hair are what I react to more than anything.  I also somewhat react to saliva, which is why I had to develop immunity in the beginning. 

If you do decide to go with a Sphynx, try to find a sympathetic breeder who will allow you to meet one first.  I did that to make sure my allergies weren't too bad.  However, the breed is very expensive and apparently at high risk for theft so the breeders tend to be very cautious and they don't usually arrange such meetings. 

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 11:24:33 GMT -5 Firebird said:

Sept 18, 2014 11:17:52 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

I don't know.  There's definitely a creepy factor there. 

Only until you meet her.  I deliberately chose the intimidating photo

In real life she's a cuddle bug and a sweetheart.  She always goes to sleep right on DH's shoulder and comes over to me in the middle of the night to huddle against my side. 

She's the sweetest cat ever and I her.  I tell her how beautiful she is all the time to offset the mean comments

I'm sure she's wonderful, sweet and loving (and no tuffs of hair all over the place like with my cat). 

I'm just saying, she could get a part in a horror movie guarding the tombs of demons. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

I'm sorry I offended you Firebird.

[Firebird]

Sept 18, 2014 11:29:12 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

I'm sorry I offended you Firebird.

Thanks, but don't worry about it.  Like I said, if I chose to get offended every time someone commented negatively about her I would hardly have any friends left   It's a pretty big club. 

And I know that some people find her scary/creepy/ugly.  We all have different tastes.  I've always thought these kitties were beautiful.  Apart from the allergy factor, it's why I wanted one. 

[Firebird]

I'm just saying, she could get a part in a horror movie guarding the tombs of demons.

That would be some acting job - I think I mentioned earlier that she is unable to subdue a fly

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 11:36:56 GMT -5 Firebird said:

I'm just saying, she could get a part in a horror movie guarding the tombs of demons.

That would be some acting job - I think I mentioned earlier that she is unable to subdue a fly

Oh, she wouldn't need to do anything.  Just sit there.  Sit there and look at you.  Not blinking.  Not moving.   Maybe a little low level growl (but they could dub that in). 

[Firebird]

Maybe a little low level growl (but they could dub that in).

If you'd settle for a very creepy hiss, she could handle that.  I'd just have to borrow her vet, who now receives that reaction on sight. 

[Deleted]

Ooooh a hiss would be perfect! 

(And, fwiw, I think creepy is cool.  I'm not knocking your cat.)

[swamp]

DAmmit, now I want to go out and get a dog.

[Firebird]

Swamp, did you guys ever get that lab you wanted?

[swamp]

Sept 18, 2014 12:48:28 GMT -5 Firebird said:

Swamp, did you guys ever get that lab you wanted?

No. We aren't home enough. We just adopted a kitten. I'm about at the end of my ability to cope, so I'm not taking on another responsibility.

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 12:49:23 GMT -5 swamp said:

Sept 18, 2014 12:48:28 GMT -5 Firebird said:

Swamp, did you guys ever get that lab you wanted?

No. We aren't home enough. We just adopted a kitten. I'm about at the end of my ability to cope, so I'm not taking on another responsibility.

That's where I am too.  I really miss having a dog and want another lab, but I think I'd be stretched too thin and the dog would get neglected.   It sucks because I think boys in the country need a dog dammit.

[goldensam]

I cannot recommend going the rescue route enough. In my city, pet overpopulation is at epidemic levels: 1.5 million strays across the city currently. We have rescue groups that solely focus on feeding routes so as many as possible don't starve to death while other rescues are full to the brim and can't take them. Many groups in my state work with rescues up north and actually transport the dogs to them, because groups down here are so full. 

I've said it here before, I am very active in golden retriever rescue. Our group takes in goldens of all ages and in all conditions, even ones that are in such bad shape, they are unrecognizable as a golden retriever in pictures. We just had a momma give birth to 5 pups yesterday in our group and we got a small furry pup in just a couple weeks ago. We also have 14 year olds and every age in between.

The advantage of adopting from a group like ours is that the dogs live in a foster home for a minimum of a few weeks while their personalities are evaluated and the foster and adoption teams can determine what the dog needs in its forever home: kids? cats? another dog? a pool? We often pull dogs from shelters and I can assure you: the dog you pull on day one is not the same dog on day 3. Shelters are scary for most dogs and can affect their personality while there. 

Please consider not contributing to the pet overpopulation problem by rescuing a dog. A rescue dog does not automatically mean it's a problem child. We took in a beautiful 2 year old boy this week who is the sweetest thing, but his owner suddenly passed away. Luckily, his relatives contacted our group. 

[goldensam]

We even get dogs that people have paid serious money for that come with papers and everything because suddenly they've decided dogs are more work than they thought. 

[goldensam]

Sept 18, 2014 13:21:30 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

We saw dogs like that too, Goldensam. When we first got here and were looking for a pet - apparently when Americans leave because they get stationed somewhere else they sometimes leave the pets behind instead of moving with them...WTF!! I don't understand getting a pet and knowing you are going to it on somebody else three years later  !!

Anyway, we decided on cats since we travel a lot and they are lower maintenance...but there were great dogs available if we had decided to go that route.

We see that a lot down here in general. People move out and leave the dog in the house with no food or water or anything at all and hopefully someone finds it before it starves to death. It's heartbreaking.