Dog Owner Chat v3 ~Open!~

[Imzadi83]

Hey guys, within the next few months I will probably be looking into getting a dog and was hoping you could help me narrow down what would be good for me.

I currently live with my mum, three bedroom house, two decent sized gardens. Both well fenced and secure. Within the next year I plan to be moving into my own place, likely a flat in this area. This area is full of public parks, dog parks, footpaths through fields, plenty of places to take a dog for them to enjoy.

I work 20 hours a week, usually on an evening when family are around, so the dog would be alone very little. The potential pet would live inside the house, having free roam of house and garden when people are home and regular walks.

I prefer big dogs, I dislike terriers and small dogs. I don't mind shedding, I don't mind brushing them regularly, I don't mind whether they are high or low maintenance. I earn a decent wage, enough for me and the dog to live on happily, comfortably and with reserves for vet bills and emergencies. I am already saving so purchase price isn't a problem. Would most likely feed raw.

Personality wise, I would prefer a dog that liked to be moving, one that's happy to go on long walks and to relax a bit after. One that's happy to play but can also be settled when needed. If I were to get a dog I would take a few weeks off work for its first few weeks with us to ensure its training was started well.

I would recommend getting a adult dog from a shelter or rescue. You will be able to find one that meets your requirements and an adult will already be settled into itself you you'll know what you'll be getting personality wise. If this is your first dog you may want to try out being a foster parent for a while. This will expose you to living with different dogs and may make it easier to know which personality type is what you want.

Honestly though if you are planning on moving with the next year I would recommend holding off on getting a dog of your own until you do move. It can take up to a year for a dog to settle into it's new home and moving is very stressful for an animal. It will be especially hard for the dog to have a whole family of people and rarely be alone to being left alone in a new place while you work, or do you have some other plan for when you move so the dog isn't alone?

I would also look into finding a dog trainer now before you get a dog. Ask if you can observe some classes. Not only will you have someone you like in case problems arise but they may be able to actually help you pick out a dog when the time comes.

[.kestral]

I have had 9 dogs in my life. My most recent being the world's most hyper rottie x lurcher. That my ex stole and I can't get back

My main priority is the shelter route. Giving a home to a dog that needs one would be important to me. I will be moving with friends who work very different schedules to me so canine wouldn't be alone any more than he would at mums.

[Imzadi83]

I have had 9 dogs in my life. My most recent being the world's most hyper rottie x lurcher. That my ex stole and I can't get back

My main priority is the shelter route. Giving a home to a dog that needs one would be important to me. I will be moving with friends who work very different schedules to me so canine wouldn't be alone any more than he would at mums.

Sorry about your dog you lost to your ex.

That's good. That give you more options. You could contact shelters and rescues that you would feel comfortable working with and tell them what your looking for in a dog, they may be able to put you on a list and let you know when they have a dog in that might fit your lifestyle. I know that happens a lot in my local shelter, many dogs don't make it to the adoption floor or online because they're adopted early but someone who was on a waiting list.

[.kestral]

I miss my boy. But unfortunately my ex moved so quickly to change the details that he has the polices full support

And yeah. That's my plan. There are some awesome shelters around here. So im gunna get in touch

[{ℓєσραя∂}]

I have a really odd question. Why are my dog's teeth so dang white? Now I only ask this because I don't do anything to keep them white. I don't brush his teeth, I don't give him chews or anything. But his teeth are photoshop perfect. He also rarely has bad breath. He is a little over a year old and I've had him since he was about 3 months old. His teeth have always been this pretty. I'm just curious Because my other 2 dogs have poor teeth(one we got when she was 7 years old and had been treated horribly. The other her teeth are just normal for a dog).

[akuma <3]

We've finally decided on a dog! shes a black & tan coonhound named Charley
and shes in the state so yay, no quarantine!!!!
MA has pretty strict quarantine laws for dogs that are coming in from different (mainly southern or 'hot') states.

[Imzadi83]

We've finally decided on a dog! shes a black & tan coonhound named Charley
and shes in the state so yay, no quarantine!!!!
MA has pretty strict quarantine laws for dogs that are coming in from different (mainly southern or 'hot') states.

Wow, I had never heard that MA had quarantine laws. Does that mean you can't drive through the state or visit with your pet unless it's gone through quarantine?

Congrats on Charley!

[darkvoodoo]

I love this pic of Mugger:

[.Middy.]

Our attempt at stacking tonight. She moved her back feet right before I took it, and I wasn't far enough back to get a good picture. Much better than the previous tries though! She's getting so big already!

Voodoo- he is so precious!

[Shirosashi]

Hey..Long time, no see. These discussions are very interesting.

Panzer has been doing well, I got a new leather camouflage collar for him about a month ago and just today got custom military dog tags. They're so awesome, I can't believe I dug up the money for them.
I've got a question; Panzer is always barking at strangers within 14 feet or more but once they get closer he stops and moves on. It's really scary too, I hate when we're around kids he doesn't know because when he barks like that it blood-curdling, like something from a horror movie. If the crowd is 5 people or more though, he's fine and I could take him jogging through NYC without a peep from him. I think this problem is something retained from police training because they're trained to be aggressive like that...Tips, anyone?