Dog lover desperately wants a pooch but lives in a duplex / apartment

seamus wrote: »

I live in a Duplex and I own a very happy and spoiled Staffie. I won't retype what I wrote here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=68098379&postcount=7

In short, it's perfectly possible, you just need routine and commitment. You have no garden, so you can't just let the dog out the back to pee and then let her back in. The dog needs to be taken for short walks at regular intervals, all day, every day.

My only real regret is that because I own a Staff and have no garden, there are very few opportunities to have her off-lead outside. We occasionally bring her down to my in-laws and let her run around their back garden, throwing balls for her and so forth.

Thx Seamus,

Re leaving him off the lead, I was wondering what the story was with muzzels and letting them off the lead. as my sisters dog didn't have a muzzle for starters but later when I had him out (he's very placid and never fights or snaps) I let him off the lead around the beach area - i took careful note to make sure no one or any dogs were about at the time. there are parts of the beacht aht were completely empty.

jack presley wrote: »

My only concern would be when you're out for long periods of time, e.g. work. Is it fair to keep a dog indoors on his own (sorry I'm presumimg he'd be on his own during the day when you're at work) for 8+ hours?

Thx to everyone so far its starting to look like a runner

Re leaving the dog alone all day, most days I would bring it to my sisters house. She's a dog nut and has 4 dogs of her own. I would on most days leave the dog in her yard so he/she has other dogs to play with while im at work. Alternitively the dog would have free roam in the house bar the bedrooms and living room. Essentially leaving them to roam about upstairs ont he landing, in the hallway and in the kitchen. So pee'ing or poo'ing in those areas I could live with. But I would only ever leave it there if there was no option of me going to my sisters.

I would like to point to out too that my intention isn't to have puppy. They require too much attention and would mess things up if left alone and there's a lack of bonding. So what I want to do is go to a pound find a dog thats toilet trained, chippped etc that was mid aged and in need of a house life style.

Just on the case of muzzles and letting my sisters dog off the leash. I had him on a tight leash at all times, I've spent a lot of time int he past trianing my previous dogs. So in no time at all he healed without prompting, being a staffie i was worried he'd be a killer of other dogs, nope not at all with this lad, when approached by other dogs he was too happy sniffing about and even when they would growl or snap at him he'd ignore it and keep sniffing about. I think it was like a "yeh right dont be stupid i'd eat you" scenario. Anyhoo while walking him in esates or on roads he'd always be on the leash. It was only on the beach when no one was around on either end of the beach that I let him off. God he loved jumping into the ocean and fetching the stick it was his favourite part of the day. Mind you washing him down in the shower afterwards was fun too he just jumped into the shower and was like "go on gis a rub" lol. So no way would I ever let him off the leash in public areas I learned that lesson with my Doberman.

Am i going to go for a staffie I duno, its kinda why im posting here to see if you guys could suggest a dif dog? Although i do love my sisters Staffie he was amazing I am doubtful I'll find another dog like him with his personality and temperment.

Sniff sniff

seamus wrote: »

I'm biased in favour of Staffs, so I can't recommend another breed. The only thing that I do know is that Staffs often play rough and other dogs (particularly smaller ones) can find them intimidating and Staffs can unintentionally do damage to other dogs - Greyhounds for example are known for having thinnish skin, so a rough playing dog may cause more scratches and damage than another Greyhound.
So if the dog is going to be spending time with Staffies, I would recommend you throw another Staffie into the mix

In terms of getting a dog, I would always advise going to rescues. You will get a microchipped, neutered dog with a scored/examined temperament and you can bring your sister's dogs for a meet-and-greet to make sure they will get on together, before you commit to taking the dog.

If you go to the pound, you could get a dog with any kind of medical complaint or personality problem, they will likely not be microchipped or neutered, and the amount of people who take bitches from the pound only to discover that they're pregnant is phenomenal.
You're not talking about leaving the dog on the balcony, right?

Ah sound yeh when i said pound i mean rescue, there's a good spot up in wicklow my sister goes to a lot. Just can't remember the bloody name. Anyhoo, she has 3 wippets and the staffie and they all get on great. Infact 2 of the wippets are new pups and he's the father figure in the house as the elder wippet is a bitch and the eldest of all 4. They happily all play together and i figured it would get any dog i introduce balanced in the pack mentality (better around other dogs).

I think I do have my heart set on a Staff though now if i could just steal my sisters dog without my nephew going mad i'd be on a winner lol.

Having said that I wouldn't mind getting a mongrel terrier cross or something. I had messed about with the idea of getting 2 dogs that way they could entertain eachother while im at work and well train them to pee in the kitchen if they really need to go while im not there.

I like the idea of a webcam, I could hook it up to speakers and talk to them from work lol

Toulouse wrote: »

So how long would the dog be on it's own for?

as mentioned earlier very rarely would it be on its own. As I would drop him up to my sisters and her other dogs during the day.

I am trying to address times where that isnt' possible.

Toulouse wrote: »

Ah right, sorry.

Again, just make sure that the dog you choose gets on with your sisters dogs. If she has a male staffie then get a female and vice versa.

Check out some of the staffies here http://www.adogslife.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=54 The dogs are boarded in Wexford.

Or more here http://www.irishanimals.ie/boxerstaff_homes.html

Plenty of lovely lovely staffies looking for good homes.

Toulouse nice one!

I think I've found my perfect match in temperment and well all round. Plus Ruby would go well with Rico (staffie im talking about).

Ruby is beautiful looking girl with a personality to match and is about 3.5-4 years old and in very good health. She is completley housetrained and will ask at the door when she needs to go out. Ruby loves toys and the chewier the better. Her favourite game is tug and she also enjoys playing fetch. She loves to chew and must be provided with plenty of appropriate chew toys so that she doesn't choose her own!
Ruby sleeps all night in her crate without any fuss and her crate training continues. She is improving rapidly. Along with crate training work on alone training continues too and Ruby is improving daily. Once exercised Ruby is happiest flaking out on the sofa beside (or on top of) her favourite person - she actually thinks she is a lap-dog!
Ruby has all of her basic cues and some tricks too and loves learning and working - she is an extremely trainable dog. Her leash walking is very good and is continuing to improve as she becomes more and more comfortable with urban living. She is calm even when faced with rude dogs barking and lunging at her. She is easily led away by her person without looking for trouble. She alerts to the door but calms quickly and greets everyone she meets with so much affection you would think that she knew them all of her life! Ruby is bomb proof as regards handling and resource guarding and there are no issues here whatsoever.
Ruby is fine with children but she is a bouncy girl so smaller children will be knocked over. She is not good with small animals e.g. cats, bunnies etc. so she cannot be homed with these pets. Other than that she will fit in brilliantly to any active dog loving home. Ruby would be fine to live with a male companion but we think that she would prefer to have her people all to herself - only-child syndrome!!
Ruby is the perfect size and type to be someone's running partner so would be perfect for a sporty owner. In fact we think its really important that Ruby have some sort of extra-curricular activity in her new life whether that be jogging, agility or some other activity. Ruby is a special dog - I have never met a dog with such an amazing personality, she is so soft and affectionate. She loves to play and is all about having fun. She is devoted to her people and will make the best companion for someone. There will never be another Ruby so don't miss your chance - get her while you can! Ruby is neutered, fully vax'd and microchipped.

Righto I've been doing a lot of prep here...

To all thx for all the advice Toulouse, re Ruby how come she hasn't found a home yet?

My circumstances are changing and I am speaking to the Australian Customs department to find out if I can bring a Ruby or Staffy into Oz. I am going to emmigrate within the next 1-2 years i do not want to get a dog now if i can't bring them with me. Aparantly it shouldn't be a problem, either way any new home I'll have in Perth will be massive compared to my duplex and with a massive yard clos to the beach too. So not only a life style change for me but also for any dog i bring with me.

I am in love with Ruby, but I want to sort out the technical bits before I enquire about giving her a home.

I am a pure dog lover and put it this way Ruby or any other dog would have their own bedroom including bed in the duplex.

I own my own duplex and I am a director of our management company. Pets are allowed though either way Plus we ahve a secure gated area with gardens for those 2hr pees or poos lol.

Jasus im getting excited just waiting to hear back from Australian customs about importing a staffy. I ahve to say no other breed is in my mind now, its gona be a staffy.