Thinking about getting my first dog

Uncle Petey said:
Jesus, that picture disturbs me. Looks a little too much like my own dog, apart from the bent face of course :(
Click to expand...

This has happened before;
cheesyboy said:
A stuffed one. They're just as good as the real thing;
9U80hrx.jpg
Click to expand...

Uncle Petey said:
:( That looks a bit too much like my dog for my liking...
Click to expand...

(I didn't see Benjii's original, was it the same pic?)
 
Im happy to accept that tbh, i am kind of on that side of things

Maybe kittens would be the best bet, but 1 or 2? I assume 2 is better but a bit more expensive
 
What do you want out of a pet? This is really obvious, but dogs and cats aren't remotely similar in terms of their behaviour and needs. Are you sure you'd be happy with a cat if you've got your heart set on a dog? If not, don't get a cat.
 
Get a cat, dogs are very social animals, they shouldn't be alone for 9-10 hours per day and a walk at lunch can't make up for it. Dogs need social contact and it hurts them emotionally and sometimes physically when they don't get it on a daily basis.They are like small children, anything you wouldn't do to a child, don't do to a dog.
 
While we hope to get a dog sometime we too work constantly. My partner doing 3-4 12 hour shifts a week and myself in science where I can do anything from 40-100 hours in any given week.
As a compromise we got a reptile. It's not a dog and it won't show love like mammals do, but it's lower maintenance (Other than temperature gradients, humidity etc).
 
You really just need to be both sensible and realistic about it.

Definitely consider breed and try to avoid dogs that are typically very dependent....but you need to also be aware that the average type doesn't equal every dog of that breed.

We both work and have a working cocker spaniel, this is really, really not the ideal breed to be left alone but he is walked for an hour at lunch time by a dog walker then gets another 40 mins to an hour at night with me when I come in from work. He has an abundance of toys to keep him occupied and his mind working plus I also tend to do a very short day in the office on both a Monday and a Friday to keep him from being alone too long. The way our working days go he tends only to be in alone for about 3.5 hours at a time which also helps. Our little nutter is a very confident dog, so doesn't become too distressed when one or both of us is not in sight. If you end up with a timid dog there is a far higher chance that being alone will stress them out.

As with everything there's a balance to be had, consider who will be in the house and when, how much it'll cost to have someone walk the dog if that helps (it's not cheap over a month) and crucially how much time you can spend with them when they're a pup if you aren't going for an older dog.
 
get a dog they are great and will bring you joy.

So what if they chew a few cushions who cares.

By the way you are required by law to scoop poop so think about it when going for big dogs. Big dogs = big poop.
 
kinger8938 said:
A rescue is an angle i hadnt even considered but is a great idea for sure

A cat is also being considered, no area for a cat flap though :( just rear glass doors, but a tray and a bit of training to let us know when it wants to go out could solve that
Click to expand...

You can get cat flaps that can be fitted into glass doors. Best left to a pro to install but very much a solution! :)
 
Go to the RSPCA and get one from there rather than buying a new one. Puppy can be more difficult to deal with than an older dog, especially if its your first dog. Plus you have the added bonus of saving a dog. Ive had 3 dogs in my life and 2 from kennels and they were the best dogs. I had a cocker spaniel puppy and that was difficult to deal with. Came home had ripped the place apart, blinds off the wall and cushions ripped up.
 
Beagle - very hardy dogs, not too big, not too small, no major inherited issues, will eat anything, will hunt/run all day, superb temperament, "works well on their own or as part of a team :)" - proper dog, with a proper howl/bark. Easy to train (will do anything for food).
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom