Advice on owning a dog...

[someuser]

Hello,

I've always wanted to raise a dog. I love animals, particularly cats and dogs. Now I am taking this a little more serious and I will start looking for a puppy that I can bring home. However, before I do this commitment I have a few questions for dog owners:

The puppy I'm looking to own is going to be a small dog. I don't have a backyard however I do have a small park near my house so I can always take the dog for a walk.

1. As you know, a lot of the dogs have an unpleasant odor, is there a way that I can clean the dog and maybe apply something that would make it become odorless?

2. How well do dogs go with cats? We already have 2 cats in the house and they are tenderly sweet and adorable.

3. One of my main reasons why I want a dog is because they are much more affectionate than cats. I'd like for instance to be able to cuddle with my dog in the morning before I go work. Ozzie or Felisha for example would just sleep next to me but I cannot touch them!

4. Any estimate for the cost of owning a dog?

Thanks and any constructive feedback is much appreciated.

[nsr250]

1. they have body sprays and deodarants for pets at the pet store if the smells bother you.

2. really depends on the dog's behaviour and the cats behaviour. it will vary from case to case.

3. my dog is a constant attention *****, he'll whine if I don't pay attention to him, ect. some are more than others, just be prepared.

4. the first year will be expensive at the vet, probably initial check up/microchipping, spay/neutering, shots and vaccinations which will be total of $500 or more. then yearly visits which runs at least $100. If you get a small dog you won't have to really worry about food, grab a bag of kibble for $40 and it'll last you months.

[delavoie]

Make sure you realize that owning a dog is for the long haul.
Most dogs will live over 10+ years, this can become a issue in your day to day life.
For example.. when you go on trips/vacations..
We have a dog, and there's lots that we cant do because of the dog.
We cant just leave and go to a hotel for the weekend, unless we have someone to take care of the dog.
If it's +33 celcius in the summer and we want to go to the beach for the day, we need to plan around our dog, she's 11 years old and cant handle that sort of heat & sun for a full day.
Our dog has always been scared of fireworks and thunder (like most dogs) so during the summer it's not fun when the dog is in a panicked state until 2-3am because kids are setting off fireworks.
Up until last year she would stay home during the day, until one day we left her home and a big thunderstorm came trough, she was home alone, she freaked right out and destroyed the house, she ripped 15 screens out of the windows, and chewed right trough the frame of a wood window.
Since then she will not stay home by herself, we need to bring her everywhere we go.
But after you had a dog for 11 years, what do you do.. put them asleep because they are scared and cant stay home alone?!?
Obviously not.. we make it work.

Things to think about..

[joeyjoejoe]

1. they have body sprays and deodarants for pets at the pet store if the smells bother you.

2. really depends on the dog's behaviour and the cats behaviour. it will vary from case to case.

3. my dog is a constant attention *****, he'll whine if I don't pay attention to him, ect. some are more than others, just be prepared.

4. the first year will be expensive at the vet, probably initial check up/microchipping, spay/neutering, shots and vaccinations which will be total of $500 or more. then yearly visits which runs at least $100. If you get a small dog you won't have to really worry about food, grab a bag of kibble for $40 and it'll last you months.

Just to add:

1. Regular baths will keep them clean, but sometimes a little hair trimming helps... I used to have a Pom and occasionally there would be a turd stuck to his fur.

2. If you properly introduce a new pet into the house then you will have a higher chance of them getting along... but that is no guarantee they will get along. Getting a tall cat tree will give a place where the cats can get away from the dog, when the dog becomes too much for the cats to handle.

3. My cats are like that. They will constantly follow me, get in my field on vision, or even jump on me to get my attention. They constantly want to play or be petted or just held. It can get very annoying when I'm trying to do work on my computer. It might be a trust issue between your cats and you.

4. Cost can fluctuate greatly if you get your puppy from a breeder or shelter... type of food you feed... toys you buy... etc. I heard the average is roughly around $2K the first year and $800 per year after that.

[someuser]

Make sure you realize that owning a dog is for the long haul.
Most dogs will live over 10+ years, this can become a issue in your day to day life.
For example.. when you go on trips/vacations..
We have a dog, and there's lots that we cant do because of the dog.
We cant just leave and go to a hotel for the weekend, unless we have someone to take care of the dog.
If it's +33 celcius in the summer and we want to go to the beach for the day, we need to plan around our dog, she's 11 years old and cant handle that sort of heat & sun for a full day.
Our dog has always been scared of fireworks and thunder (like most dogs) so during the summer it's not fun when the dog is in a panicked state until 2-3am because kids are setting off fireworks.
Up until last year she would stay home during the day, until one day we left her home and a big thunderstorm came trough, she was home alone, she freaked right out and destroyed the house, she ripped 15 screens out of the windows, and chewed right trough the frame of a wood window.
Since then she will not stay home by herself, we need to bring her everywhere we go.
But after you had a dog for 11 years, what do you do.. put them asleep because they are scared and cant stay home alone?!?
Obviously not.. we make it work.

Things to think about..

Wow, I felt like I was reading a kid's story in there. So much dedication, that's amazing. Thank you for pointing all those out, especially the trip/vacation issue.
I'm a very affectionate person, and I'd give all the attention a dog would need. But I do see your point and no if I get a dog it won't be 1 to 2 years thing, it will be long term as I hate abandoning a pet, especially if I've loved them.

Thanks for your input people. Much appreciated.

[bobbings]

I'm sorry but your thread title is TOO funny!

Anyways, be prepared to spend A LOT of time in the first year just getting use to training the puppy. I didn't travel at all and I came straight home right after work/school just to keep an eye on my dog but I guess it worked both ways because I would miss him while I was away at school or work so I really wanted to get home ASAP.

Train him well when you get him. Don't let him get the best of you. You're the boss. My dog is VERY obedient now because we gave him a lot of TLC. He knows what is right and what is wrong which imo, that's amazing!

[mrwally]

How long during the day will this puppy be alone? If you live by yourself and work full-time realize that a small puppy alone in the house for 8-10 hours a day is going to make a mess. Some adult dogs can't even hold it that long. Hopefully you have someone who can look after it during the day, or at least consider hiring a dog walker to come in each day to let him outside.

Also, without a yard of some kind, I would seriously think twice about getting a dog...sure you CAN walk it in the nearby park, but if your dog has to go to the bathroom at 3 a.m. how will you feel about that?

Cats could care less if you home or not...dogs lives revolve around you...

[setell]

Nothing better to add as there's some great response so far. Sorry to hijack but anybody know of a good maltese breeder within driving distance near TO or Ottawa/MTL? I'm doggy hunting for my baby :D:D OP have you thought of what small dog breed you want?

[joeyjoejoe]

How long during the day will this puppy be alone? If you live by yourself and work full-time realize that a small puppy alone in the house for 8-10 hours a day is going to make a mess. Some adult dogs can't even hold it that long. Hopefully you have someone who can look after it during the day, or at least consider hiring a dog walker to come in each day to let him outside.

Also, without a yard of some kind, I would seriously think twice about getting a dog...sure you CAN walk it in the nearby park, but if your dog has to go to the bathroom at 3 a.m. how will you feel about that?

Cats could care less if you home or not...dogs lives revolve around you...

That's a good point. It was the main reason why I got two cats instead of one dog... but that hasn't stopped me from training my cats to play fetch! :D

[jandumm]

It's really good you're thinking about these things before you get a dog.

With regards to the odour, we found that frequent laundering of her dog beds (e.g. once a week) and constant mopping/cleaning of her crate helped a lot with her stinkiness but still, there can be an odour.

1500-2K is a reasonable estimate for the first year...e.g. spaying is around $300 (estimate), we've done three sets of obedience sessions in her first year at around $200 each. Crate, toys, food, vaccinations, grooming are the rest, but once you spend the initial $, costs go down considerably.

The vacation/going away issue is definitely something that we've had to consider and has cost us. Even going away for an all day dragonboat regatta, we had to find someone to take care of her.

Exercise requirements are a big thing to consider too...is your potential dog a high energy or low energy breed? As Cesar Milan says, a tired dog is a good dog. Do you have the one hour + every day to exercise? If you have a lazy breed, 30-45 minutes a walk might work, but for a higher energy breed (e.g. Jack Russell), that won't really be enough and a bored dog may resort to undesirable behaviour like chewing.

[setell]

How long during the day will this puppy be alone? If you live by yourself and work full-time realize that a small puppy alone in the house for 8-10 hours a day is going to make a mess. Some adult dogs can't even hold it that long. Hopefully you have someone who can look after it during the day, or at least consider hiring a dog walker to come in each day to let him outside.

Also, without a yard of some kind, I would seriously think twice about getting a dog...sure you CAN walk it in the nearby park, but if your dog has to go to the bathroom at 3 a.m. how will you feel about that?

Cats could care less if you home or not...dogs lives revolve around you...

Train the doggy if it's a small dog to go on pee/training pads. I'm not a fan of going outside to do the job type of person. Our previous doggy just went when he had to on the pads without any problems if he was home alone. It is a bit costly to maintain but I like it so much better then having to let your dog out so he/she can go to the bathroom. You're already paying for the grooming, vet, food, toys, clothes anyway so what's an extra few bucks a month for pee pads (~$7/mth). Plus your dog can get so good that even if you're playing with him and he has to go he will run upstairs to his pee pad and do his deed. Then he will run back downstairs to continue playing!:D:D

My concern with leaving him/her alone is that they get too lonely. I'm considering paying to drop off my potential dog to a doggy daycare every Wednesday (~$50/day) so that it isn't a whole week he'll be all alone. OP also consider friends that might have dogs and get them to be doggy playmates. That's what we might do too. That way both dogs aren't as lonely.

EDIT: Yes, I am selfish as I want a dog and I'm gone 8-10hrs of the day when I am at work but I will try my best to give it the best home possible. So please no trashing.

[Shaykeija]

I do small dog rescue. Make sure you either get your dog from a rescue or a very good breeder that shows their dogs. Anything out of the news paper/Craig's list or that other one is most likely a back yard scum sucking breeder.
I have a 2 year old purebred Shih Tzu that came into rescue about a year ago. He came from a back yard breeder and his is now in the beginning stages of renal failure. He will live the rest of his life here with me. No one wants to adopt a sick dog. >:(
Make sure you get medical insurance on your new dog. This can save you thousands, should your pet become sick.

A high quality dog food is good. You should go to a pet store and stay away from that crap they sell in grocery stores and Wal-Mart. Make sure the food ingredients list meat as the first ingredient. Not meat by product or corn.

Vaccinations are mandatory. Make sure you get your puppy full vaccinated before introducing it to other dogs or taking it to the dog park. Parvo is a killer in puppies. I train my dogs to use pee pads in the house until they are full vaccinated.

Remember this animal will become a part of your family and should be treated as such. I really get pissed when a dog is surrendered into rescue because..we have kids and no time...we are allergic..it doesn't play..it's boring..it's too much work..the vet bills are too expensive and my favorite..it's colour doesn't match my furniture.

A pet is a life long commitment. If you can't commit to a gold fish you should not own a pet. Make sure you find a good kennel if you travel. And most important..Get Your Animal Neutered.

[setell]

I do small dog rescue. Make sure you either get your dog from a rescue or a very good breeder that shows their dogs. Anything out of the news paper/Craig's list or that other one is most likely a back yard scum sucking breeder.
I have a 2 year old purebred Shih Tzu that came into rescue about a year ago. He came from a back yard breeder and his is now in the beginning stages of renal failure. He will live the rest of his life here with me. No one wants to adopt a sick dog. >:(
Make sure you get medical insurance on your new dog. This can save you thousands, should your pet become sick.

A high quality dog food is good. You should go to a pet store and stay away from that crap they sell in grocery stores and Wal-Mart. Make sure the food ingredients list meat as the first ingredient. Not meat by product or corn.

Vaccinations are mandatory. Make sure you get your puppy full vaccinated before introducing it to other dogs or taking it to the dog park. Parvo is a killer in puppies. I train my dogs to use pee pads in the house until they are full vaccinated.

Remember this animal will become a part of your family and should be treated as such. I really get pissed when a dog is surrendered into rescue because..we have kids and no time...we are allergic..it doesn't play..it's boring..it's too much work..the vet bills are too expensive and my favorite..it's colour doesn't match my furniture.

A pet is a life long commitment. If you can't commit to a gold fish you should not own a pet. Make sure you find a good kennel if you travel. And most important..Get You Animal Neutered.

:mad::mad: I hate people like that! I wish people need to realize that by having a pet your life style will change AND I always see it as a 20 year commitment!

[najibs]

Make sure you get a dog that fits your lifestyle. A dog isn't just a dog. Different breeds require different lifestyles. Certain breeds like an Australian Cattle Dog for example NEED a big space to run around at various times of the day. They are very active and high energy dogs. If you bring a dog like this into a place where you have no back yard or you're only taking it on two 15 minute walks per day, you'll end up with a depresed animal that will tear you rplace apart.

[Saphier]

Hello,

I've always wanted to raise a dog. I love animals, particularly cats and dogs. Now I am taking this a little more serious and I will start looking for a puppy that I can bring home. However, before I do this commitment I have a few questions for dog owners:

The puppy I'm looking to own is going to be a small dog. I don't have a backyard however I do have a small park near my house so I can always take the dog for a walk.

1. As you know, a lot of the dogs have an unpleasant odor, is there a way that I can clean the dog and maybe apply something that would make it become odorless?

2. How well do dogs go with cats? We already have 2 cats in the house and they are tenderly sweet and adorable.

3. One of my main reasons why I want a dog is because they are much more affectionate than cats. I'd like for instance to be able to cuddle with my dog in the morning before I go work. Ozzie or Felisha for example would just sleep next to me but I cannot touch them!

4. Any estimate for the cost of owning a dog?

Thanks and any constructive feedback is much appreciated.

I was actually in the exact same situation, right down to the 2 cats and the lack of a backyard. In the end, I got a dog.

1. The odour you get used to, so I don't really smell it anymore unless I'm sniffing my dog's fur. There's baby wipes for dogs that are heavily scented that you can use, although these will set you back 6/pack for around 150 of them. There's also pleasant smelling shampoo for them, but the smell doesn't linger too long, and it's unwise to bathe your dog daily.

2. My two cats hates my dog. They are still working out their territory wrt to each other and to the family. If they are older cats, they won't like him much, and as long as you're not expecting them to play and love each other, they will be fine. Just keep the kitty litter and food elevated so the dog doesn't get to it, since mine loves those two things.

3. Dogs are very affectionate compared to cats, and I say this when my cats are relatively affectionate: they would sleep with/on me and wake up by purring. Think of a dog as a little child in terms of how much attention it wants.

4. You can reduce costs by looking to adopt a dog instead of buying, but here's a cost breakdown for me:

1) dog itself - 550
2) dog injury (he tripped while playing and sprained his ankle) - 200
3) neutering and dew claw removal - 300
4) food - about 50 a month
5) toys, crate, misc items - 300 or so
6) registration - 30
7) training pads - 150
8) shots.. another 80

Since I live in a condo, we had to train our dog to go to the washroom in our bathroom. This took awhile, but eventually he got a hang of it. Not having a backyard made this considerably more difficult, and also a necessity since we could not bring him down every time he has to go (and as a puppy, they will need to go a lot). Not having a backyard isn't a problem, but it does make life soo much easier.

Hope this helps! Post pictures if you do decide to get one, they are the cutest things.

[lazertazer]

get a dog with short hair.

dogs with long, fluffy hair = hard to comb/brush their hair and you'll end up going to a groomer (around $50)

buy dog books or dog magazine
http://www.dogsincanada.com/breeders

[amz155]

Before you *think* you've decided on a breed make sure you REALLY research that breed and make sure it fits your lifestyle. You have to learn a lot about a breed before you can decide that its right for you i.e. what behavioural bproblems is that breed notorious for, what health issues is that breed ocmmonly plagued with, what are the dog's diet requirements, what is the dog's grooming requirement, what is the dog's exersise requirement, does the breed generally get along with other pets/children.

Obviously many behavioural concerns can be dealt with while raising the dog ie. giving it lots of exposure to noise/children/other dogs while its young. But there are some issues that go along with the breed i.e. some breeds are notoriously yappy, some are bad with children....etc....

In terms of the odour, you may want to consider "hypoallergenic" breeds that have different coats than dogs with fur. And no, you wouldn't be limited to Shih Tzus, or Poodles. There are small, medium, and large dogs that fit this category. Give a serious consideration to its grooming requirements though. Some dogs require little/no brushing/combing. Whereas other dogs with longer hair/fur will require more frequent combing to prevent knots/matting.

Also, like another poster mentioned, don't skimp on food. Feed your dog a good quality food. Some foods are better for some breeds. i.e. dogs that are notorious for getting UTIs may do better on a slightly acidic diet. Also, dry food is just fine for the dog. If you fee d the dog a lot of/exclusively wet food, the dog's teeth with develop a lot of plaque and tartar build up. Unless you regularioly brush the teeth (which I do about once a week) the dog may get an excessive build up of plaque and may require a dentistry, eventually ($$$).

Toys you give the dog should also be of good quality. I really worry about some of those dog toys sold at dollar stores! Poor quality toys can be toxic to the dog and may fall apart very easily, causing harm.

Please don't be one of those people that thinks they need to bring their dog everywhere! If you go out to the mall, or to run errands, do groceries, etc. the dog does not need to come with you! I wouldn't advise leaving the dog at home for frequent exteneded periods of time, but it will do just fine without you for a few hours. And please, no doggie strollers!

When you decide what breed you want, pick a good breeder and a good vet. And don't be afraid to spend a good amount of money on geting the dog trained by a professional. If you've never owned a dog before you may not notice that you are sending the wrong cues to your dog. NOt all dogs require professional training and professional training isnt necessarily for "bad" or stubborn dogs. Also keep in mind that good training is not cheap and cheap training is not always very good!

One other poster mentioned puppy pads for house training. I, personally don't believe in them and find that they only exist to make things conveninent for pet owners. If you don't have the time to take your pet outside to do its business, don't get a dog. I don't see why dogs can't just do their business outside.

OThers have given you a good estimate of costs for the first year and then some. Do remember to factor in grooming costs if applicable and boarding costs if you don't have anyone that can watch the dog while you are on vacation.

Good luck!

[amz155]

get a dog with short hair.

dogs with long, fluffy hair = hard to comb/brush their hair and you'll end up going to a groomer (around $50)

buy dog books or dog magazine
http://www.dogsincanada.com/breeders

Just because the dog HAS long or fluffy hair doesn't mean that its gonna be hard to comb its coat. You really have to start the dog off while its a puppy to tolerate regular combing/brushing sessions. Same with toothbrushing.

I have a Schnauzer and his "skirt" and undercarriage require regular combing to ensure he doesn't get tangled. But I started him off young and while, if he was human he would roll his eyes, and huff "ffffiiiiiiinnnne, let's go" when I pull out the comb, he's learned that he has to be patient. And of course patience comes with its rewards!!!!

[Quiggie]

I recommend you don't get a dog. They need lots of exercise and being cooped up inside all day with an occassional walk isn't enough.

[amz155]

I recommend you don't get a dog. They need lots of exercise and being cooped up inside all day with an occassional walk isn't enough.

Where did the OP say that they would leave the dog cooped up inside all day? And not all dogs need lots of exercise. An occasional walk during the day is quite fine for some breeds. I'm not saying that limiting the dog's outdoor activity is desireable but it doesn't yet sound like the OP's schedule is not conducive to owning a dog.

[couch_potato]

Not all dogs smell. My cat is very affectionate and loves to be cuddled, everytime, I'm laying on the couch... he pounces on me and starts purring- until I keep him off.

[rockthecasbah]

A high quality dog food is good. You should go to a pet store and stay away from that crap they sell in grocery stores and Wal-Mart. Make sure the food ingredients list meat as the first ingredient. Not meat by product or corn.


Yeah Global Pet Foods has a lot of high quality brands, better than the Iams, Purina, Kibble & Bits stuff they have at the regular stores. I get mine Acana which is made by the same people as Orejen but slightly cheaper. Everything is high quality and from Canada so it's cheaper than, say, Wellness products.

BTW does anyone in the GTA, close to Markham/Scarborough have a dog trainer to recommend? I have some places recommended to me but they are not the most convenient but I might consider it. The closest Petsmart near me has a dog trainer who is 18 years old and I am iffy with having a ~kid~ training my dog.

Also I got my dog from a rescue. She came microchiped, spayed, all her shots, and everything minus the heartworm test. She has some issues (i.e. not very socialized, she was neglected when she was a puppy) but she is still a great dog!

Oh one last thing, if you are into cats but want the affection of a dog, try a Scottish Fold. They are cats that are as affectionate and cuddly as dogs.

[king_george]

Also I got my dog from a rescue. She came microchiped, spayed, all her shots, and everything minus the heartworm test. She has some issues (i.e. not very socialized, she was neglected when she was a puppy) but she is still a great dog!



All of my dogs since adulthood have been rescues. A little attention, training and affection cures a large percentage of their socializing issues. Things like barking, chewing or aggression have been a little harder to take care of, but it's been success every time.

I'm currently a JRT owner and since getting one a few years ago (first one died of liver cancer >:() from the shelter I'll never get another breed. She is loyal, very affectionate and is ready willing and able to play with a ball any time.:lol: Typical of a JRT, her energy level is in overdrive almost every day, even at 7 years old. We are her sixth (and last) home. Her current kill score so far this year is seven mice, one rat (don't ask!!) and a lot of grasshoppers.

She is also entered into the Jack Russel National competitions in Paris, ON in the high jumping, barn search and run to ground categories. Way too much fun having 500 JRT dogs in one field all at the same time.

Of course if you want a JRT you need to decicate a LOT of time with them, they are 15 pound dogs with a 300 pound attitude.

One of her previous competitions was in Flamborough, ON last july.
http://www.russellrescue.org/July09.pdf Go to page 4 and Emma's story is there.:)

Whatever breed you choose, treat them as a member of the family and they'll be loyal for life.

ETA: The videos in the article were shot by myself and the wife. Some of the stills at the bottom of the page were shot my moi. :) Enjoy!

[q1w2e3]

I actually got a puppy this summer, so I feel I can help.
My dog is an American Eskimo (~15 pounds), its about 5 months old now, we had it since May. Owning a puppy is tiring, because it is very, very needy in the beginning; but once it gets attached and used to the family and your lifestyle, its awesome!
1. The puppy will want to bite everything at first, so be prepared for that. (Anti-chewing spray, which you can get from pet shops.)
2. The puppy will urinate everywhere. (Look up youtube videos on how to train a dog properly, it really helps!)
3. The puppy will want lots and lots of attention, pretty much all your time will be devoted to it until later on.

I have probably used about 600-1000$ on the puppy thus far, without neutering it; which is something we're considering ($400).
so around $1500 for the first year of owning the puppy. Vaccinations are expensive, around $100 each time and you'll need to visit the vet around 3 times within the first couple of months.
Please do consider the well-being of the puppy (if you're not able to devote massive amount of time to it; do not even get one.) If you cannot clean up well after yourself, the puppy will be even more trouble D:

But all in all, a puppy is great fun; especially when its so cute during the younger months. Remember to take lots of pictures, if you do decide to get one!

[JeffTaylor1985]

I'd agree with the short-haired recommendation -- one of my friends recently got a long-haired dachshund and the grooming costs really add up! Plus, little sticks and dirt get caught up in the hairs and make it easier for the dog to bring that all back into the house.

As for food recommendations, I'd ask around and read up on which ones would be best for your specific breed. There is a lot to learn! Chicken Soup has a really helpful FAQ with answers to the basics like "how much food should I feed my dog" - so that should help you get started: http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/faq/

Also make sure to understand the full costs of owning a dog before getting one, including trips to the vet, training (can be pricey, but worthwhile), food, puppy sweaters ( :D ), etc.

[1jVu]

you stated you show a lot of affection, just be prepared for a test of true patience when you first get the dog.
i bought my girlfriend a dog recently, (3 weeks ago..?) and she has been stressed with no sleep due to his constant crying, pooing and peeing. He's a lot better now, the potty training is not quite perfect yet but its slowly getting there. Patience! you really need it!