thing of the past
Getting a dog
- Thread starter Burnsy2023
- Start date
thing of the past
I'm fostering a dog at the mo that's in desperate need of a good home, doesn't need much exercise, is house trained, loves to play ball, knows basic commands, just needs someone to continue the training when it comes to road sense (she tries to chase cars!!)
I hope you are considering a rescue dog?
We have had GSD's and a collie in the past, both fantastic breeds, with the collie being the more demanding of the two. (she is now on a farm as a full on working dog)
The GSD's were exceptional dogs, unfortunately the first had a fit and had to be put down, the second simply died of old age.
My parents have had a rescue dog for 12 years now, they have had dogs all their married lives and still say that the rescue dog is by far and away the best dog they have ever had.
Of course it can all be luck of the draw, dogs are like people...some are good some are bad.
Anything financial after aquiring the dog is not important, because like kids you will spend any amount of money on them to keep them happy and healthy.
We have had GSD's and a collie in the past, both fantastic breeds, with the collie being the more demanding of the two. (she is now on a farm as a full on working dog)
The GSD's were exceptional dogs, unfortunately the first had a fit and had to be put down, the second simply died of old age.
My parents have had a rescue dog for 12 years now, they have had dogs all their married lives and still say that the rescue dog is by far and away the best dog they have ever had.
Of course it can all be luck of the draw, dogs are like people...some are good some are bad.
Anything financial after aquiring the dog is not important, because like kids you will spend any amount of money on them to keep them happy and healthy.
As others have said collies need lots of exercise, mine would run for miles and still have lots of energy to burn, tho he's about 14 now, so he's mellowed out and is pretty lazy now. Would recommend them highly their great fun to have around and they have character, everyone says it but never meet a dog quite like mine, he is nuts.
Pics of him playin in the snow
Pics of him playin in the snow
I work during the day my GF works evenings/nights, the dog is never left for more than an hr or so if she goes to the shops etc, when I get home the dog goes everywhere with me, pub, shops (sits in car for 10 mins while I am in) and I take him for a 2hr walk on evenings.
KaHn
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If I get it from a rescue centre I'd expect to pay about £100 or so. Is that about right?
Soldato
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they never got round to getting rid of them here in N.I.
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I'm shocked that none of you have said anything about the training courses that you need to take them on to learn the basic things, i dont have a dog and im sure they all need to goto these courses to learn the basics of training....
And i heard they are very costly..
And i heard they are very costly..
Need to?
no, just got to have some common sense, reward for good, punish for bad. If you really want read a few websites and watch a few youtube vids. Only if the dog has a problem that you cant correct will you need outside help.
no, just got to have some common sense, reward for good, punish for bad. If you really want read a few websites and watch a few youtube vids. Only if the dog has a problem that you cant correct will you need outside help.
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I'm sure I can educate myself to train the dog properly, it's not rocket science, just routine and awareness of a dog's needs.
Soldato
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No, you don't need to go on a training course. This isn't "Animal SOS" with that nice Italian chap Caesar (whatever its called)
If you take the time yourself you don't need to. It is important to make sure dogs socialise with other dogs too. people will gladly take money off you to see this happen but it isn't actually necessary
I'll jump in here in the hope of helping.
Food: I'd opt for dry food as it doesn't attract flies in the summer and can be left out for days if necessary. If you have a Costco, buy from them; anywhere from £7 a bag to £20 a bag that will last for over a month (I have a Boxer) ....... but always plenty of fresh water.
Insurance: Take your pick but read the small print. Vets bills can be very big and if 'Rover' runs into the road and causes mass destruction etc, it is nice to know that you are covered. For ~£15 a month it's worth the money.
Microchip: Personal choice as to if it is worth it; I think it is. £20 to £30.
Lead etc: Big list or small list .... your choice but by law, you need a collar with ID on so it makes sense to get a lead too; Extending ones can be great but you need to get the hang of using 'em; take your pick from £1-50 to £50. Cages, beds, coats, dishes toys, etc etc ...... up to you but can be expensive (ebay) .... even so, it's a one off as opposed to every week.
Shampoo: Forget shampoo unless they roll in fox poo (smellable from 25 metres) but (depending on breed) get a comb/brush/glove and always get some guillotine nail/claw clippers. You may want to keep some flea stuff (stronghold or similar) handy for when he/she comes into contact with a cat or hedgehog too though it is expensive (~£25) and not needed most of the time.
Jabs: Essential from early age but the yearly booster is a moot point; if you get a rescue, it should be fully vaccinated and neutered, if not, they will be ~£30 for the jabs and (depending on sex) £20 to £500 to neuter.
Cost per week: Food £3, Insurance £4; all the other stuff can be spread over a long period of time and will be very little ................. so roughly £1 a day for all that loyalty, affection and pleasure ..... cheap or what?
I believe that the best thing that you can give a dog/animal is the same as for children .......... your time; ............. sounds a cliche but it is true. A dog left on it's own will get bored and play with/destroy a house/contents in short time so try as best you can to include the animal in your day to day plans, allowing plenty of time for excersise/play/training and dare I say it, affection.
As far as training goes, ........ DO NOT PUNISH! unless caught in the act, and then only verbally. A child/animal will learn much quicker and have more fun if you reward good behaviour on a regular basis rather than try to punish.
Socialise your pet with other animals and humans early and generally, you will have far fewer 'incidents' as he/she developes. Use common sense wherever possible but always remember ..................................... it is a dog and not a human.
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/ for a start.
Kind regards and email if you feel that I can be of any assistance.
Food: I'd opt for dry food as it doesn't attract flies in the summer and can be left out for days if necessary. If you have a Costco, buy from them; anywhere from £7 a bag to £20 a bag that will last for over a month (I have a Boxer) ....... but always plenty of fresh water.
Insurance: Take your pick but read the small print. Vets bills can be very big and if 'Rover' runs into the road and causes mass destruction etc, it is nice to know that you are covered. For ~£15 a month it's worth the money.
Microchip: Personal choice as to if it is worth it; I think it is. £20 to £30.
Lead etc: Big list or small list .... your choice but by law, you need a collar with ID on so it makes sense to get a lead too; Extending ones can be great but you need to get the hang of using 'em; take your pick from £1-50 to £50. Cages, beds, coats, dishes toys, etc etc ...... up to you but can be expensive (ebay) .... even so, it's a one off as opposed to every week.
Shampoo: Forget shampoo unless they roll in fox poo (smellable from 25 metres) but (depending on breed) get a comb/brush/glove and always get some guillotine nail/claw clippers. You may want to keep some flea stuff (stronghold or similar) handy for when he/she comes into contact with a cat or hedgehog too though it is expensive (~£25) and not needed most of the time.
Jabs: Essential from early age but the yearly booster is a moot point; if you get a rescue, it should be fully vaccinated and neutered, if not, they will be ~£30 for the jabs and (depending on sex) £20 to £500 to neuter.
Cost per week: Food £3, Insurance £4; all the other stuff can be spread over a long period of time and will be very little ................. so roughly £1 a day for all that loyalty, affection and pleasure ..... cheap or what?
I believe that the best thing that you can give a dog/animal is the same as for children .......... your time; ............. sounds a cliche but it is true. A dog left on it's own will get bored and play with/destroy a house/contents in short time so try as best you can to include the animal in your day to day plans, allowing plenty of time for excersise/play/training and dare I say it, affection.
As far as training goes, ........ DO NOT PUNISH! unless caught in the act, and then only verbally. A child/animal will learn much quicker and have more fun if you reward good behaviour on a regular basis rather than try to punish.
Socialise your pet with other animals and humans early and generally, you will have far fewer 'incidents' as he/she developes. Use common sense wherever possible but always remember ..................................... it is a dog and not a human.
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/ for a start.
Kind regards and email if you feel that I can be of any assistance.
Last edited:
Man of Honour
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Wipes for their paws? That's something I've not heard of before, who recommended them to you? Just because the idea of getting any of my families various dogs to sit or stand around while you fiddle with their paws would have been a complete no go and not because they weren't well trained either.
There's some good advice in here so I won't repeat it but as suggested a rescue dog is quite a good idea although find out as much as possible about any possible oddities of behaviour that they may have before getting them - you won't necessarily find out everything but knowing what you should avoid is a massive help. As a bit of an unusual choice but eminently worthwhile, you could consider a retired greyhound, they require surprisingly little exercise and will be quite happy with one good hard run a day (with shorter walks morning and night) but you've got to be careful if they've only recently retired from racing as the chase instinct will be very strong so any small animal could be at risk.
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^^
Ugly dog, but I'm sure she's got a lot of love to give
How old is she? Do bull terriers have a good temperment?
Ugly dog, but I'm sure she's got a lot of love to give
How old is she? Do bull terriers have a good temperment?