Things to consider before getting a dog

aceygray

Myself and my husband want to get a dog. It's something we've been thinking about and talking about for years, but this year we are finally in a position to actually do it. I grew up with dogs, he has never had one. We have taken care of my parents' dog for up to two weeks at a time, and it always went well and we loved having her!

I just want to make sure we do things right, for ourselves and the dog we adopt, so I'm looking for advice here on things to consider, what we need to have, resources for training etc.

Our situation is that we live in our own house, with a decent size back garden. We have no kids. Both of us are very active. He works full time close to where we live, so can come home at lunchtime if needed. I am a student, so my timetable is variable - some days gone all day, some just for a few hours, some not at all. I will work flexible hours during the summer.

We are not in a rush to get a dog. We were thinking of maybe adopting in summer time, when we can both get some time off work to get the dog settled etc. We are willing to take either a puppy or an older dog.

Any thoughts? What kind of dog do you think would be suitable for us? Any online resources you can point me towards? Anything really obvious that I'm overlooking?

Thanks!

clfy39tzve8njq

One thing I would ask you to consider is to adopt a dog from a rescue. There are so many out there looking for homes.

aceygray

Alejandro Small Glycerin wrote: »

One thing I would ask you to consider is to adopt a dog from a rescue. There are so many out there looking for homes.

Thanks! I should have mentioned that that is what we plan to do.

keepalive213

Definitely agree with the rescue dog idea. Personally id steer clear of purebred dogs. Sometimes smaller gene pools can lead to costly health issues. Nothing wrong with a bit of hybrid vigour.
Steer clear of husky /akita type dogs as well, beautiful animals but not suitable for your situation as need an awful lot of exercise and simulation.
Yorkshire terrier type dogs or Pomeranian maybe...
Best of luck anyway, a dog can be a great addition to a household, far more intuitive than we give them credit for.

MayoSalmon

keepalive213 wrote:

Steer clear of husky /akita type dogs as well, beautiful animals but not suitable for your situation as need an awful lot of exercise and simulation. Yorkshire terrier type dogs or Pomeranian maybe...

What do you mean not suitable for your situation?!

All dogs need plenty of exercise and having an extra big garden wouldn't somehow satisfy that requirement.

s7ryf3925pivug

Puppies tend to chew up your house. Furniture, fittings, plaster... They can really wreck the place.

Some dogs need to be walked pretty much every day to be okay. If you get a highly active dog then be ready to do that for the next ten years or so. Your situation might change in terms of job commitments and you could have kids. Both of which can reduce the amount of time and energy you have.

A big back garden is good, but most dogs just Don't exercise themselves; they need to be taken somewhere or they just sit or sniff around.

SEPT 23 1989

If you like your garden and grass forget about it

Rubberchikken

We've a rescue westie. Very big garden and shes had no ill effects on it not that that would bother me. Grass is grass.
Im glad youre thinking rescue. So many need good loving homes.
Only you can decide if you want to go the puppy route. Yes they can be destructive but thats only while they're young.
Good luck deciding.

keepalive213

MayoSalmon wrote: »

What do you mean not suitable for your situation?!

All dogs need plenty of exercise and having an extra big garden wouldn't somehow satisfy that requirement.

Husky type dogs need way more exercise/stimulation than your average domestic pet dog, anything else you need cleared up?

Gael23

Two main things, your house will never be as clean as before. And second remember that it is a commitment for up to 15 years which is quite a long time.

Belle E. Flops

Maybe consider getting two dogs so that they can keep each other company during the day. Many dogs can get very lonely when left alone.

jellybear

Would you consider fostering during the Summer to see how it works? You may even find your dream dog that way and become a 'failed foster'

drunkmonkey

Make sure the garden is very secure so they can't get out. If there's a gate, get it springloaded so it'll close if left open by someone.

The smaller the dog the smaller the poop would be my only take on what to choose. Maybe one that's suitable for children in the future if it's something that might happen.

Fann Linn

The practical side:
Weekends away and holidays require kennels, even a trip upto another part of the country for the day requires a bit of work, do you leave the dog in the garden for the day, do you lock him in the house, what if you suddenly decide to stay over?

We have our dog since we had 4 kids in the house, they've left the house and we are now left with the dog. Everytime we attend an occasion, wedding, birthday etc plans have to be made also for the dog.

Saying that however, he's worth it!!

MayoSalmon

And why wouldn't that suit their situation exactly?

fritzelly

I think taking any new dog requires a full time commitment during the early stages, your OP indicates there could be many hours between someone being home and this is when you should be teaching the dog being left alone for short periods that slowly build up

Whether it be a new pup who will eat everything in sight (and needs teaching before developing bad habits or seperation anxiety) or a rescue dog who may have some issues but even if it doesn't is still in a new home that needs getting used to

Maybe better to wait til summer and forgo the summer job so you can dedicate some time to it and lay the foundation of a great friendship

jellybear

Fann Linn wrote: »

The practical side:
Weekends away and holidays require kennels, even a trip upto another part of the country for the day requires a bit of work, do you leave the dog in the garden for the day, do you lock him in the house, what if you suddenly decide to stay over?

We have our dog since we had 4 kids in the house, they've left the house and we are now left with the dog. Everytime we attend an occasion, wedding, birthday etc plans have to be made also for the dog.

Saying that however, he's worth it!!

I would definitely second this post. It is a big commitment and you do have to think about the practical side of things like long days out or weekends away etc. You can of course still have your time away but it just takes more planning than before. But as Fann Linn says- it's so worth it!

Also, in my experience, socialisation is key so definitely focus on that through classes, walks etc.

keepalive213

MayoSalmon wrote: »

And why wouldn't that suit their situation exactly?

If you have read the original post and dont understand why a husky type dog is not suitable in this situation then I dont suppse im going to be able to educate you, so ive no intention of trying. Why not try and contribute to the thread instead, I won't be responding to you again.

Fann Linn

MayoSalmon wrote: »

And why wouldn't that suit their situation exactly?

It may. It may not.
The OP asked if there was anything they could be overlooking.
I answered that.

Choc Chip

What do you see yourself doing with your dog OP?
Do you want to do lots of trick training, or do you want a running companion? Is it important to you that your dog has good recall? Do you want a dog that wants to snuggle on the sofa most of the time and that would be happy with a quick stroll? Do you prefer an easy-going dog, a very friendly dog, a very independent dog?
Do you have strong feelings on short hair/ long hair and shedding levels?
Do you have strong feelings on size (small/large/medium)?
Even if you're going for a rescue that's a mix, sometimes the mix of breeds will show similarities with the breeds so it's worth thinking about what you want and what breeds have these characteristics so that you have them in mind while you're looking.

I'm not to clear on exactly how long the dog will be alone for, but if you don't have lots of time to raise a pup, I'd look at an older dog (plus you know what you're getting with an older dog )

tk123

keepalive213 wrote: »

If you have read the original post and dont understand why a husky type dog is not suitable in this situation then I dont suppse im going to be able to educate you, so ive no intention of trying. Why not try and contribute to the thread instead, I won't be responding to you again.

!?

aceygray wrote: »

Both of us are very active.
Thanks!

The dog should live in the house not the graden. There is no such thing as an "outside" dog.

DBB

keepalive213 wrote: »

If you have read the original post and dont understand why a husky type dog is not suitable in this situation then I dont suppse im going to be able to educate you, so ive no intention of trying. Why not try and contribute to the thread instead, I won't be responding to you again.

Please do not back-seat moderate.
Also, it is a specific requirement of this forum that people post in a respectful manner when addressing one another. You don't have to agree with one another, but you do have to at least try to disagree respectfully.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057405004

Thanks,
DBB

Varta

The dog should live in the house not the graden. There is no such thing as an "outside" dog.

Utter nonsense.

Varta

Varta wrote: »

Utter nonsense.

The dog should be part of the family and not spend the majority of its day outside. It's a pack animal.

Here is Pete the vets take on it;

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/lifestyle/is-it-ever-acceptable-for-dogs-to-be-kept-outside-34166144.html

fritzelly

Varta wrote: »

Utter nonsense.

We're not talking about wolves anymore, tho some dogs are better suited for outdoor living. Unless you think your dog can survive freezing temperatures and snow and think a wood kennel is perfectly adequate....

Choc Chip

Oh, and this: "We were thinking of maybe adopting in summer time, when we can both get some time off work to get the dog settled etc" is great.

I think it's easier (even with a house-trained dog) to get the dog in summer when everyone spends more time outside and no one really minds popping in and out for frequent toilet breaks with the dog to make sure the dog knows where the toilet is (and reward it for going there). There's something miserable about frequent toilet breaks in the cold winter rain. They make me sad.

On the taking time off to get the dog settled, that's great, but use it as an opportunity to get the dog used to spending little bits of time alone and slowly work them up. Hopefully they will then be used to spending time in your house alone when you have to leave them. I had to go away on business about a week after we got our rescue. She wasn't the most secure dog anyway, and a new home, a week of having me full-time and then my sudden disappearance caused her to FREAK. Not the most well thought out thing I've ever done.

Wildcard7

aceygray wrote: »

Our situation is that we live in our own house, with a decent size back garden. We have no kids. Both of us are very active. He works full time close to where we live, so can come home at lunchtime if needed. I am a student, so my timetable is variable - some days gone all day, some just for a few hours, some not at all. I will work flexible hours during the summer.

We are not in a rush to get a dog. We were thinking of maybe adopting in summer time, when we can both get some time off work to get the dog settled etc. We are willing to take either a puppy or an older dog.

Any thoughts? What kind of dog do you think would be suitable for us? Any online resources you can point me towards? Anything really obvious that I'm overlooking?

IMHO under these conditions you can get pretty much any dog. A few things that I'd like to have known before I got our pupper (not that I would have changed much):

- Getting a puppy is great. Everyone loves puppies. But puppies need to be housetrained and taught pretty much everything (including what to do with a ball). Depending on how smart, curious and stubborn the dog is, this can be quite a task. There are advantages in getting an adult dog who has basic training and a known temperament.
- Look into good local trainers and take your pup/dog there once a week, from week 1. You can read a dozen books, it's not as valuable as getting live feedback from a good trainer.
- Despite all your efforts, your dog can develop undesirable traits. Barking at everything and nothing, ressource guarding (aggressive around toys, food), reactivity with other dogs/people/horses/cars, and so on. If you're not ready to work through them or in the worst case live with them, reconsider what you're doing. (Or limit your choice accordingly, an excessively barking chihuaua is a different situation than an excessively barking Rottweiler)
- If there's a hole in the fence in your back guarden, or indeed any way for your dog to get out, it is only a matter of time until the dog will find it. If you want to make sure you'll never have to scrape the dog off the pavement with a spatula, the garden needs to be 100% doggie proof.
- Rawhide is bad. Cooked bones are bad. Many treats in pet shops are a complete rip off (made of cereal with flavourings, you might as well feed cardboard soaked in gravy).
- Cheap dog food is bad. There are plenty of options that are only marginally more expensive but a billion times better. Check independant rating sites like https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/. At the very least, read the BACK of the package to see what you're paying for. Order in bulk from Zooplus.ie. Cheaper than any local pet shop by a mile, and delivered to your doorstep.
- Mental stimulation is as important as physical stimulation. My dog gets one of her two food portions sprinkled all over the back garden, she has to find it herself. Keeps her busy for half an hour and gets her nose and brain working. There are lots of other ways like stuffed kongs, obedience training, agility that will tire out your dog mentally.
- Dogs bring in lots of dirt and break stuff. Some also drool a lot.
- You will never be able to poop, shower or eat again without being molested or closing a door.
- If you get a pup, take lots of pictures. They double in size every day.

aceygray

Thanks everyone for all the comments! Some really good advice here,
and it's given me plenty to think about. To answer some of your specific questions/comments:

Justice Wailing Smokehouse wrote: »

Puppies tend to chew up your house. Furniture, fittings, plaster... They can really wreck the place.

Some dogs need to be walked pretty much every day to be okay. If you get a highly active dog then be ready to do that for the next ten years or so. Your situation might change in terms of job commitments and you could have kids. Both of which can reduce the amount of time and energy you have.

Yeah, I'm prepared for the fact that if we get a puppy he/she will destroy things! I also know a dog need to be walked every day, at least once a day. That's no problem for us. We have no plans to have children. Only puppies

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

If you like your garden and grass forget about it

I'd love to have a nice garden, every year I promise myself I'll plant and take care of it, but it hasn't happened so far! Our garden is just a paved area outside the back door, a lawn, and then a large shed at the back. We don't use it much.

Gael23 wrote: »

Two main things, your house will never be as clean as before. And second remember that it is a commitment for up to 15 years which is quite a long time.

Again, my house is not that clean to begin with! We're not especially house-proud, and don't have people over that often. Regarding the 15 year commitment - that's actually what makes me lean towards getting a puppy over an older dog. With an older dog, you might only get a few years with them

Belle E. Flops wrote: »

Maybe consider getting two dogs so that they can keep each other company during the day. Many dogs can get very lonely when left alone.

Hmmm... that's not something we had considered at all. I don't know if it would be feasable, at least at first. I think I would prefer to get one and get used to it before thinking of getting another. But I will think about it, thanks!

jellybear wrote: »

Would you consider fostering during the Summer to see how it works? You may even find your dream dog that way and become a 'failed foster'

This is an excellent idea that I hadn't even thought of. I might contact a few rescues over the next few weeks, to see if they do this, and what would be involved. Thank you.

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Make sure the garden is very secure so they can't get out. If there's a gate, get it springloaded so it'll close if left open by someone.

We are mid terrace, so no side entrance, and the garden is enclosed with high walls on each side, so perfectly secure.

Fann Linn wrote: »

The practical side:
Weekends away and holidays require kennels, even a trip upto another part of the country for the day requires a bit of work, do you leave the dog in the garden for the day, do you lock him in the house, what if you suddenly decide to stay over?

Yes, we're prepared for that. We don't do too many weekends away, but I suppose in future we will have to either go to pet friendly places, kennel the dog, or get someone to take of him/her.

fritzelly wrote: »

I think taking any new dog requires a full time commitment during the early stages, your OP indicates there could be many hours between someone being home and this is when you should be teaching the dog being left alone for short periods that slowly build up

Maybe better to wait til summer and forgo the summer job so you can dedicate some time to it and lay the foundation of a great friendship

Good advice. Unfortunately I definitely need to work for the summer, but like I said the hours are quite flexible, and I can take some holidays. If we do get one, I will try to leave it alone for gradually longer times to get it used to it.

Choc Chip wrote: »

What do you see yourself doing with your dog OP?
Do you want to do lots of trick training, or do you want a running companion? Is it important to you that your dog has good recall? Do you want a dog that wants to snuggle on the sofa most of the time and that would be happy with a quick stroll? Do you prefer an easy-going dog, a very friendly dog, a very independent dog?
Do you have strong feelings on short hair/ long hair and shedding levels?
Do you have strong feelings on size (small/large/medium)?
Even if you're going for a rescue that's a mix, sometimes the mix of breeds will show similarities with the breeds so it's worth thinking about what you want and what breeds have these characteristics so that you have them in mind while you're looking.

Thank you, these are definitely things to think about. We mainly want a dog for companionship, to be part of our family. Our ideal dog would be friendly and affectionate, but not too needy. Also fairly energetic - we are quite active and outdoorsy and would like to be able to take our dog with us on walks, etc. I run a lot, and it would be nice to be able to take the dog with me, but not neccessary.

I don't have strong feelings on size, but my husband wants a medium dog - mainly because that's what my parents have, and he is in love with their dog! I also don't mind much about shedding etc, but I suspect he would prefer a short haired dog - mainly because he does most of the hoovering.

jh79 wrote: »

The dog should be part of the family and not spend the majority of its day outside. It's a pack animal.

Here is Pete the vets take on it;

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/lifestyle/is-it-ever-acceptable-for-dogs-to-be-kept-outside-34166144.html

Thanks for this. Our plan was that the dog would sleep indoors - we would keep a bed downstairs. It will also be in the house with us whenever we are home. However, we were planning to leave it in the garden, with a kennel, while we are out, at least when the dog is a bit older. And we obviously wouldn't leave him out in cold weather. Is this a bad idea? (I'm afraid I'm going to start a fight with that one, but I really just want good information!)

Wildcard7 wrote: »

- Look into good local trainers and take your pup/dog there once a week, from week 1. You can read a dozen books, it's not as valuable as getting live feedback from a good trainer.

I know a few local dog owners, so I will ask them for recommendations for trainers.

Wildcard7 wrote: »

- Rawhide is bad. Cooked bones are bad. Many treats in pet shops are a complete rip off (made of cereal with flavourings, you might as well feed cardboard soaked in gravy).
- Cheap dog food is bad. There are plenty of options that are only marginally more expensive but a billion times better.

- Mental stimulation is as important as physical stimulation. My dog gets one of her two food portions sprinkled all over the back garden, she has to find it herself. Keeps her busy for half an hour and gets her nose and brain working. There are lots of other ways like stuffed kongs, obedience training, agility that will tire out your dog mentally.

I did know that about the food - several dog owners have told me not to go near supermarket food - but I wasn't aware about the treats. Good to know, thank you. Also good idea about making the dog "hunt" for her food! We will definitely think about ways to keep our pet stimulated.

A few other things I forgot to mention: We are quite close to our next door neighbours, who are a retired couple and have a dog of their own, so we could get them to check in during the day. They would also not hesitate to tell us if our dog was barking excessively or anything like that while we are out.

I'd also like an idea of costs, so we're not surprised by anything! I figure the initial costs will include donation to the rescue, vaccines/neutering/microchipping, bed/kennel/lead/toys etc, and ongoing costs would be food, grooming, vet visits.....? Replacing our possessions that get chewed?! Cute little doggy outfits?! Anything else?

Thanks everyone who's commented so far. I'm going to show this thread to my husband and we will consider everything you've suggested.

Good to hear the dog will sleep indoors. Just a warning on puppies. It will cry at night and want to sleep in the bed with you. We gave into the crying and have been sharing the bed with the dog ever since (7 years!).

We got a 2nd rescue dog approximately 1 year old and she is happy to sleep downstairs.

Cost wise ,
*a kennel for 2 is approx 25 a night for when you go on holidays
*Vaccinations cost around 120 each per year.
*Spaying about the same.
*Microchipping about 45 euro.
*A rescue will be already vaccinated, spayed and microchipped. We gave a donation of 150 to the rescue center.

VonVix

I don't know if it has been mentioned, I have just glanced over each reply. But you say you're a student, what's the plan when you're no longer a student? Does a dog still fit into your life if you get a full time 9-5 job, hypothetically speaking?

aceygray

VonVix wrote: »

I don't know if it has been mentioned, I have just glanced over each reply. But you say you're a student, what's the plan when you're no longer a student? Does a dog still fit into your life if you get a full time 9-5 job, hypothetically speaking?

I guess we'll have to do what other people with jobs and dogs do - make sure it gets enough exercise and attention when we are home, and use a dog-walker or day-care if needed. That's a few years off anyway.

aceygray

Hi all, I just wanted to update to let you know that we are currently fostering, with a view to adopting, a very sweet terrier/spaniel cross. He's a bit skittish, and still getting used to us, but other than that everything is going well. He loves getting out for his walks, and is really friendly with other dogs. We only have him a few days so far, so hopefully he will come out of his shell a bit more.

jellybear

aceygray wrote: »

Hi all, I just wanted to update to let you know that we are currently fostering, with a view to adopting, a very sweet terrier/spaniel cross. He's a bit skittish, and still getting used to us, but other than that everything is going well. He loves getting out for his walks, and is really friendly with other dogs. We only have him a few days so far, so hopefully he will come out of his shell a bit more.

Well done you! Enjoy every minute with your new foster baby My little piece of advice is to keep up the socialisation. Plenty of walks in different places etc and lots of rewards for positive behaviour You might even consider a class like agility now that the weather's improving if he might enjoy it.