Getting a dog - advice please.

[Brighton Breezy]

I would suggest popping along to Dogs Trust and having a look, not just once but a few times before making your mind up. Dogs can be a tie though so you need to really think about holidays etc.
There is bound to be some loving dog that will catch your heart. I don't think you'll regret taking a rescue dog on as they give so much back. But they can be hard work, please remember that.

Excellent advice.

 

[The Merry Prankster]

We've just got a black lab bitch, 8 weeks old now. She's a chewing machine and needs full time looking after. She's fantastic.

 

[CheeseRolls]

(NB I'm aware there are probably several threads on this topic in Bozza's Bowels but I'd prefer to interact with some people ITK...)

Mrs G. is very keen on getting a dog. I quite like the idea but am not really that fussed.

Her pooch of preference is a Golden Labrador Retriever and she is talking about a puppy.

Our domestic set-up is favourable - decent sized house and garden (in Eastbourne) + 1 x Moshe Jnr (aged 6). Less favourable is that we both work - but are local, and flexibility for "nipping back home" as required is quite good in addition to morning/evening duties...

Has anyone done this recently or can advise (ideally from the perspective of a middle-aged bloke...)?

Moshe who looks after your 6 year old, when you are in work ? The main reason I am asking is that it may be possible to get a puppy to settle into some sort of a routine over the 6 weeks of a school summer holiday. You need to be prepared for toilet training, chewing and digging, as well as walking at least twice a day in any weather. I have a one year old Sussex Spaniel, which we can now leave alone for 8-9 hours. I generally work from home, but if I am away, the dog can be left. He has the following;

Access to the hall where his bed and food bowls are. Plus an additional bed at the top of the stairs.
Access to the porch via a dog flap, where he has extra water.
Access to the secure back garden, via a second dog flap.
All other areas of the house are out of bounds, when he is alone or at night.
Plenty of toys.
A Kong toy stuffed with tinned tuna frozen, this takes hours to eat.
A chew.

He also requires a good walk before being left and a walk afterwards.

He doesn't get overly stressed if left alone, although one time he did attack and destroy the post (I think he was sleeping below the letterbox) and I had to install a post box. Dogs like people all react differently to situations, so you need a combination of luck, (the right animal), training and patience. Puppies just like kids will also show you up and let you down, more times than you can imagine.

One final point a dog flap for a Retriever is called a door ! Retrievers are big docile friendly things and do make great pets, but smaller breeds are available.

 

[METALMICKY]

In all honesty you ought to get cats instead. I have two stunning British Shorthairs and they look after themselves.

 

[boik]

Dogs are shìt.

I love the fact that everyone has ignored your sledgehammer style trolling. (Oh damn! I've just un-ignored it!).

 

[Cappers]

This

We got our puppy 6 days ago and it's a lot of work. If you're both working, forget the idea of getting a puppy, they need a lot of attention. Our dog is 5 months old so is a bit more self-sufficient but still needs plenty of attention.
If you're working full time, you'd be better off getting a mature dog but even they can't be left for 8 or 9 hours a day.

I'd also get a mutt rather than a pedigree dog: they tend to be healthier and less temperamental. Ours is a rescue dog - there are plenty of healthy dogs who need a loving home

Again definately this, and please try and get a rescue dog, as you save the life of one and re-home another. Also if you get a rescue one the rescue centre will have evaluated the personality of the dog and will know if it suits your needs, particulary with children.
Crossbreeds are much healthier and less OCD about their natural instincts which can be a pain at time

 

[METALMICKY]

People gets dogs rather than cats because they want a new family member, not a furry piece of furniture.

Thanks for that! The reason I have cats is that they suit my family and work set up and I cannot give the proper commitment that any dog deserves.

 

[Stat Brother]

You'll get out what you put in.
Puppies are fabulous fun (and pulling machines!!), but you need to be there to train the beast.

As said it won't take to long if your completely consistent and know what your doing.
From then on it'll be a blast, but an expensive and tiring one.

Food, INSURANCE, vets bills, the excess alone can cripple you.

What do you do about holidays, 2 weeks in Benidorm might be out of the question.
That odd weekend away becomes more selective.
'A spur of the moment lets go to St Andrews to watch the Albion isn't so straight forward'.

I'm a postie, this has been the wettest winter in 250 years, but my lab hasn't missed a walk even though I've just spend 4 hours trudging through biblical rainstorms.


But most of all make sure you get an Albion fan.

 

[Diego Napier]

Unless your all 100% committed to looking after the dog and it's needs then don't get one, Too many people get dogs and then after a while can't be bothered with all the work that goes with them.

Very much this.

It's not just the commitment needed whist they're young, it's the companionship and stimulation they need throughout their lives. Labradors, like most dogs, will become bored and exhibit behavioural problems if they're left on their own for long periods.

 

[Giraffe]

But most of all make sure you get an Albion fan.

Completely agree.

 

[Stat Brother]

Completely agree.

You do realise we're not helping Moshe make a well informed balanced decision.

 

[Mellotron]

People gets dogs rather than cats because they want a new family member, not a furry piece of furniture.

Tell that to my kitten who woke me up this morning by pawing at my face then purring ridiculously loudly and cuddling up to me. She follows me and my wife everywhere and is very much a member of the family.

 

[BN9 BHA]

We are getting one in the near future but we waited until Mrs Jakarta retired for all the reasons already given. I have no doubt I will be getting roped into walks on Sullington Warren etc.. I have already suffered a significant defeat as I wanted an Airedale but have been told we are getting a Labradoodle.....

Out of interest how much does a Labradoodle cost to buy as a puppy? as when I was a kid cross bread dogs were given away or were cheap to buy, I've heard they are selling for hundreds of pounds now, but how do you know if the mother is 100% poodle and the father is 100% Lab( or whatever way round)?
I have seen a few Labradoodles but they always look different.

 

[n1 gull]

We have an English Springer spaniel (4yrs) and have just got a rescue puppy to keep him company for when we are out.
Labs/retrievers are perfect family dogs with a young family.

Have fun, our dogs have really added to the family and we have 2 boys 11 and 8.
It's a bit mental, but a good laugh

 

[Return of the Rev]

(nb i'm aware there are probably several threads on this topic in bozza's bowels but i'd prefer to interact with some people itk...)

mrs g. Is very keen on getting a dog. I quite like the idea but am not really that fussed.

Her pooch of preference is a golden labrador retriever and she is talking about a puppy.

Our domestic set-up is favourable - decent sized house and garden (in eastbourne) + 1 x moshe jnr (aged 6). Less favourable is that we both work - but are local, and flexibility for "nipping back home" as required is quite good in addition to morning/evening duties...

Has anyone done this recently or can advise (ideally from the perspective of a middle-aged bloke...)?

Got a dog 4 years ago,only because i was working from home.we all love the dog to bits but with hindsight i would not of got one,holiday time has the added headache of what to do with the dog.

The time and money that goes into having a dog is too much and if you are not really fussed your not the sort to have a dog.

Blooming hard work!

 

[atfc village]

Luck of the draw we bought our Black Lab at 4 month's and it took about a month to house train.He had a chewing phase mainly photographs brilliant with kids my sister's kids live across the road so he is always with them .Sadly at nearly 11 the old boy is slowing up 1 good walk a day does him now,go for it

 

[drew]

This sounds like fundamental advice.

Everyone else agree? Or has anyone done it successfully with a couple of trips home during the day?

We've got a 10 wk old Labradoodle. My work allows me to get home almost hourly but basically very few problems. Even from day one she was inclined to pooh and wee outside and very few accidents. However, you need to feed 4 times a day to start with and take them outside in the garden as often as possible. The longest she has been on her own was 4 hours just once (shopping trip to the Lanes) and she was fine. Most of the time, it is either one or two hours at most. Our rear garden is completely enclosed (thanks to the new fence erected a couple of weeks ago!) and we have a kitchen/diner which is suitable for her during the day as no trailing electric leads and wooden floor (easily wiped).

Have had dogs before (although many years ago) but the effort is worth it. However, bit like kids, you do need to make sacrifices.

 

[Badger]

People gets dogs rather than cats because they want a new family member, not a furry piece of furniture.

You do realise a dog is an ANIMAL rather than a member of the family?

 

[Badger]

Anyone who doesn't consider dogs as members of the family shouldn't own them.

Dogs aren't just any animal, they have evolved alongside human beings and have emotional intelligence unparalleled in the animal kingdom.

Unlike cats, rabbits or hamsters your dog will GENUINELY love you and you will love him back. It is that unique bond that makes them family members.

You see the key word, nobody in your family gave birth to it did they?

It doesn't matter how you dress it up, it's a PET, nothing more, even if it does love you back.

There's not much more annoying than going round to someone's house and having their dog forced upon you because it's "only being playful".

 

[CheeseRolls]

You see the key word, nobody in your family gave birth to it did they?

It doesn't matter how you dress it up, it's a PET, nothing more, even if it does love you back.

There's not much more annoying than going round to someone's house and having their dog forced upon you because it's "only being playful".

I have some sympathy with that view, but the dog does live there as well, you are on their territory. Same as raising kids, when you have a small child that is misbehaving, the tuts from disapproving adults, are not particularly helpful. Socialising small humans and dogs, is not something that just happens it takes time and patience.