Looking for a dog, suggestions please.

You want to feel safe sleeping with the dog, or feel safe sleeping, with the dog in the house?

Sleeping with any dog can lead to hassle because the dog thinks that he is on the same level as you are. Not saying it can't be done, but the dog will need a firmer hand in training and other obedience.

Just note that the vast majority of burglars want to get in and out without being discovered. So any dog that will bark at an intruder will make a perfect guard dog. Dogs aren't impervious, so if the burglar doesn't care about the barking, then he will be able to "sort out" the dog if he wants.

What kind of house do you have? If you have no set ideas on what kind of big dog you'd like, maybe take a trip up to a local rescue to look around?

lil_missy wrote: »

Well I was planning to have hm in the bed with me, so in case he barks, I'd wake up and turn the lights on or something. Hmm, didn't know that could be a bad idea. Maybe I could buy him a sleeping bed for dogs and put it beside my bed?

of course you can get him a bed and have him sleeping in your room.... just make sure it what you want long term, beacuse if you decide down the road that you have changed your mind it may cause problems...

dosg are also very effective while sleeping in the kitchen... just something to think about!

I have a cocker spaniel.... he is brillant, they make fab dogs but then again all dogs are fab!

lil_missy wrote: »

Well I was planning to have hm in the bed with me, so in case he barks, I'd wake up and turn the lights on or something. Hmm, didn't know that could be a bad idea. Maybe I could buy him a sleeping bed for dogs and put it beside my bed?

It's not necessarily a bad idea, but the dog will become accustomed to it and you have no clear boundaries of "This is my bed and that's the dog's bed". This will extend to other things where the dog sees no problems in jumping up and eating your food or climbing across your lap while you're sitting down.

You could also have problems in future if/when you have a partner and share a bed with them.

When I was a kid, our dog would stay in bed with whomever she could. If she was sleeping in one bed and the person got up, she'd go find someone else who was still in bed and climb in there. She was spoiled rotten. The result was that it was impossible to get her to stay in her own bed because she thought she had the right to sleep in all the beds.

If you're going to have the dog sleep in your room, you may as well have him sleep in the bed. Mainly because you will give in eventually and let the dog into your bed anyway When we got our dog my wife was dead against having a dog in the bed - it was gross. Now she has secretly revealed to me that she would have the dog sleep with us in a heartbeat except that I won't allow it

You need to learn to control yourself as much as the dog

Hi Missy,

There is a lot of thinking to do. First off I would suggest thinking about what kind of a dog you would want as in how big? do they shed much? hair all over the house can be a pain to some people, how much exercise do they require? , how much do they eat? How often?...then make a list of the types of dogs that fit your requirements and research them in a bit more detail remember this dog will be with you for a long time you have to be sure it is the right one don't go in blind.

Differant dogs have differant personalities ranging from breed to indivituals and alot of them if not all are a product of what you put into them. Some are difficult to train , and guard dog breeds especially require a firm hand and strong pack leader, you have to be ready for that or they could end up causing you more harm than good. With that said a dog can be a wonderfull friend, companian and guard dog for your home with the right time , effort and training put into it.

Here are some breeds I would suggest reseaching , then you have the choice on to buy a breed as a pup and raise it or take one from a shelter both have pros and cons you should also look in to. IMO as much as rescue dogs can be fantastic dogs, I find guard dogs are best trained from pups so as to grow with their family and masters from an early age. Anyway here are some of the well known guard dogs to research, all are medium to large breeds.

German Shepherd
Rottweiler
Doberman
Akita
Staffie
Boxer

Remember all of these dogs are generally for expierienced handlers so do research before deciding. Best of luck.