DH is dying to get a puppy. I feel really bad since he had a dog for about 15 years and she passed away about a year before we got married. She was very special to him, and I know he's still sad about it. He always tells me how much he wants to get another dog, but I've been putting it off because I don't know if we have enough time to devote to a new puppy. We both work and lately I've been feeling kind of overwhelmed with all the housework that piles up! But I know it would make him so happy to have a puppy. I was just wondering if anyone could share how much work it really is to have a dog. I haven't had one since I was little so I don't really remember what it was like when it was a puppy. I'm mainly interested in how long it typically takes to get a puppy housebroken. Any tips would really be appreciated! I'm going to be off all of next week, so I was thinking of surprising DH by taking him to pick out a puppy this weekend. I figure that would at least give me a week to stay home with it while it gets used to it's new surroundings.
DeannaNDave07
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
im not going to lie to you... especially a puppy is not easy... especially when its your OWN.. the training, and vet appts for the first year are tough.. but after they are a 1yr old it def gets easier, when they calm down a little.
BUT , they are the cutest and to us it was all worth it!! just look for a breed that is less mainenance!
DeannaNDave07
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
do you know what kind of breed he wants??
GraceAndAdam
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
he likes bigger dogs. Probably something like a german shepherd or boxer. We'll probably get a mixed breed from an animal shelter. The vet. appts. are another thing that makes me wonder if we should wait because I have a feeling that the cost will really add up....
WilliesBride
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
I agree with Deanna......they do take up alot of time and the vet bills within the first few months are very expensive.....
We got ours when she was only 5 weeks old so she was really easy to trian (not having all the bad habits already)........just got her on a schedule for going outside, like every 45 minutes when she was awake, after naps and after palying......but it took time for her to understand!!!
I was able to spend every single day of the first 6 months with her........which was really great for taining but hard on her when I had to start leaving her.....Don't know which is worse....
But they really do take up alot of time and $$ in the beginning.......
Good luck with whatever you decide........it might be alot of work but they really are so worth it!!!!!!
DeannaNDave07
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
Posted by GraceAndAdam
he likes bigger dogs. Probably something like a german shepherd or boxer. We'll probably get a mixed breed from an animal shelter. The vet. appts. are another thing that makes me wonder if we should wait because I have a feeling that the cost will really add up....
ok, we adoped our dog at NSAL... my advice is to go there first ... if you use their doctors.. its VERY cheap.. with all the appts, and vaccines! the spade/neutering is free! well you have to pay when you adopt but when you actually get them fixed , they credit you!
im a fan of bigger dogs as well.. really though once they calm down its soooooooo much nicer.. it really is like taking care of a child to a certain extent.. just remember if you go out alot , vacations, etc... you always have to get a dogsitter, or kennel him... this is such a problem with us.. we love to travel, so it gets expensive to kennel her all the time..
but really though, its worth it.. you just fall in love with them and they are great!! you just have to get passed the puppy stage..lol
jtgarsik
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
like Dee said - after that initial first year it's really not that bad. I will tell you this - do NOT get a tiny dog. My teacup chihauha was such a p.i.t.a. to get housebroken. Bigger breeds(even my shitzu) are MUCH easier to train & they train rather quickly. If u have a backyard of course it's easier, but we have an apt. and we're so used to walking them now that it's just become routine....dogs are definetly a committment - especially at the beginning - but they are just so great & so worth it. i love my pooches
dgirl0114
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
I totally agree with the other girls. It's a tremendous amount of work and at times very expensive, but the payoff cannot be matched. Dogs give us unconditional love. I've had dogs my whole life except for the past year & a half. I come from a dog family; my Dad trained dogs and my Mom's family bred dogs. My parents actually met at a dog show!!
It really is worth it if you're willing to put the time and energy into it.
DeannaNDave07
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
if you decided on a lab or retriever they are easy to train! they housebreak quick and are very good learners... so another tip for ya!
FullersBride
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
DH and I have had dogs all our lives. We actually are active raisers adn trainers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, NY. We raise guide dogs as wel as have our own dogs! We recently got a new puppy so its all fresh in my mind!
I HIGHLY suggest you 'Crate train' the puppy. The first 3-6 weeks is rough until they learn to not go to the bathroom in their crate. They also need to go out every frew hours when they are littl ebecause they can't hold it very long, so someone has to be able to some home to let the dog out every 4 hours or so.
Our puppy is 7 months old and he still can't be left unattended because he gets into EVERYTHING and still ocassionally has accidents in the house!
It's a LOT of work, and you have to be disciplined to work on training at a young age EVERY day but it is Sooo rewarding.
Loki is 7 months and has been able to play 'off leash' in the dog park and hiking since he was 4 months old. He comes when he is called can 'sit' 'stay' 'dance' 'lay down' and roll over.
We are working on a bunch of other things but it is amazing when they start to understand and learn commands.
I think it would be a lot of fun and a great experience if you guys raised a puppy together. Their is so much pride in having a well trained and well socialized puppy!!!
Good Luck!
GraceAndAdam
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
Posted by FullersBride
I HIGHLY suggest you 'Crate train' the puppy. The first 3-6 weeks is rough until they learn to not go to the bathroom in their crate. They also need to go out every frew hours when they are littl ebecause they can't hold it very long, so someone has to be able to some home to let the dog out every 4 hours or so.
Our puppy is 7 months old and he still can't be left unattended because he gets into EVERYTHING and still ocassionally has accidents in the house!
That's what I'm worried about , because there is no way with our schedules that we could be there every few hours to let the dog out. DH doesn't seem to realize how hard it will be to get a puppy when we're both working. I wanted him to at least wait until the summer when I'm off, but he doesn't want to wait that long.
GraceAndAdam
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
Posted by DeannaNDave07
Posted by GraceAndAdam
he likes bigger dogs. Probably something like a german shepherd or boxer. We'll probably get a mixed breed from an animal shelter. The vet. appts. are another thing that makes me wonder if we should wait because I have a feeling that the cost will really add up....
ok, we adoped our dog at NSAL... my advice is to go there first ... if you use their doctors.. its VERY cheap.. with all the appts, and vaccines! the spade/neutering is free! well you have to pay when you adopt but when you actually get them fixed , they credit you!
im a fan of bigger dogs as well.. really though once they calm down its soooooooo much nicer.. it really is like taking care of a child to a certain extent.. just remember if you go out alot , vacations, etc... you always have to get a dogsitter, or kennel him... this is such a problem with us.. we love to travel, so it gets expensive to kennel her all the time..
but really though, its worth it.. you just fall in love with them and they are great!! you just have to get passed the puppy stage..lol
That's really good to know about NSAL! We're planning on going there when we do adopt. It will definitely help that the spaying/neutering will be free!
WilliesBride
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
Posted by GraceAndAdam
Posted by FullersBride
I HIGHLY suggest you 'Crate train' the puppy. The first 3-6 weeks is rough until they learn to not go to the bathroom in their crate. They also need to go out every frew hours when they are littl ebecause they can't hold it very long, so someone has to be able to some home to let the dog out every 4 hours or so.
Our puppy is 7 months old and he still can't be left unattended because he gets into EVERYTHING and still ocassionally has accidents in the house!
That's what I'm worried about , because there is no way with our schedules that we could be there every few hours to let the dog out. DH doesn't seem to realize how hard it will be to get a puppy when we're both working. I wanted him to at least wait until the summer when I'm off, but he doesn't want to wait that long.
I know what it feels like to want it 'now' but it would be so much better for you and the puppy if you waited until the summer when you have time.
They really do take up alot and it really is not fair to you or the little puppy if he/she is alone all the time either.........
FullersBride
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
Posted by GraceAndAdam
Posted by FullersBride
I HIGHLY suggest you 'Crate train' the puppy. The first 3-6 weeks is rough until they learn to not go to the bathroom in their crate. They also need to go out every frew hours when they are littl ebecause they can't hold it very long, so someone has to be able to some home to let the dog out every 4 hours or so.
Our puppy is 7 months old and he still can't be left unattended because he gets into EVERYTHING and still ocassionally has accidents in the house!
I would wait until summer then. You have to let them out every 4 hours, they physically can't hold it that long and if you let thm go in the house or in a cornered off area. Some people put newspaper donw and let them go it will be a LOT longer to house train because you basically have to undo everything they learned about going to the bathroom in the house.
If you don't want to deal wiht training the dog than maybe you should consider adopting an older dog. THey can hold their bladders longer.
I've gotten a few pets from NSAL. WOuld you consider adopting a 1-3 year old? They are still very energetic and still young enough to be trained and bond wiht a family but they are not as crazy, many are house broken already, and if not they are old enough to physically 'hold their pee' longer!
That's what I'm worried about , because there is no way with our schedules that we could be there every few hours to let the dog out. DH doesn't seem to realize how hard it will be to get a puppy when we're both working. I wanted him to at least wait until the summer when I'm off, but he doesn't want to wait that long.
GraceAndAdam
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
Posted by FullersBride
I would wait until summer then. You have to let them out every 4 hours, they physically can't hold it that long and if you let thm go in the house or in a cornered off area. Some people put newspaper donw and let them go it will be a LOT longer to house train because you basically have to undo everything they learned about going to the bathroom in the house.
If you don't want to deal wiht training the dog than maybe you should consider adopting an older dog. THey can hold their bladders longer.
I've gotten a few pets from NSAL. WOuld you consider adopting a 1-3 year old? They are still very energetic and still young enough to be trained and bond wiht a family but they are not as crazy, many are house broken already, and if not they are old enough to physically 'hold their pee' longer!
That's a good idea about getting an older dog, but I think DH really wants to start out with a puppy so he can train it the way he wants. I was all set to go to NSAL this weekend, but I think we're going to have to wait til the summer.
Thanks for all the tips, ladies!!!
FutureMrsBeck
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Re: question for anyone who has a dog
LOTS of work in the beginning, and then still a lot once he's older. If you're not ready yet, he should really just wait because it really is a huuuuge responsibility! Totally worth it... but only if you're ready for it. Some things for example...
can't just make out on the couch and move over to the bedroom for a little marital fun and then go to sleep right after bc u need to take the dog out
if the dog eats something stupid (esp puppies)... he's gonna throw up, you'll need to clean it immediately
can't sleep in bc you need to take the dog out
can't stay overnight anywhere bc you need to feed and take him out or get someone else to....
i think it's totally worth it when you're ready for it... but it doesn't sound like you are yet, so it's not worth getting it until you're both into it. Otherwise you'll be annoyed at DH deep down inside, and that won't make either of you happy.
