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June 18, 2010
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Who owns a dog? Advice/help :D ~ *WOW* thanks!

Journal Entry: Fri Jun 18, 2010, 11:04 AM






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I just wanna say Wow thanks guys for all the feedback, I spent time reading through everyone of them and thought to
type my thanks here instead!  You guys rock, and are super helpful in all the detail informations!  Thanks!!
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What's a better place then to ask for random questions then DA :D

So here I am, I've been thinking more and more seriously about getting a puppy, but I'd like to ask all your dog lovers/hater for advice so I have a better idea of what I'm getting myself into.

I'm thinking of getting a pug, cuz they just look so funny, and I could use a buddy around the house.

So just how hard is it to take care of a puppy?

For those that got one, are they awesome for keeping you company or how would u describe your life before and after getting a dog?

Any words or advice to get me more advice before getting myself into something I can't turn back from :)

Thanks!!!

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:iconhobbesrox13:
~hobbesrox13 Jun 30, 2010  Hobbyist General Artist
I've trained 3 puppies/dogs so far in my life. If you want a dog that's not going to be hyper, you've got to work with him every day. For a treat when he does something you want him to do, give him a cheerio. (dogs love them)
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:iconcrownkill:
Dogs are great! Even a small dog can take a lot of time out of your day, but if you can fit the dog into your everyday life, living without them would seem really weird. I say fitting them into your everyday life because I have a bird and spending time with her feels a lot more outlined. I can't just toss her in the car for a trip to the grocery store like with the dogs. We have two dogs that are both 12-15lbs and they need a 20-30 minute walk every day, with car rides usually thrown in. It was a bit more when they were younger, but they're middle aged and older now, so that's what works for them (sometimes they need a sit down break, or the older one needs to be carried up steep inclines - it saves her joints, I believe). It really helps to have a repertoire of walks so you don't get bored. idk if dogs ever get bored about walks, but if I have to go up and down the same stretch of sidewalk everyday, it starts feeling like a chore. It's even better if you can fit them in with an errand. Like when I need to pick up a book at the library, I'll zip in and out, and then we'll take the dogs around the park outside. I don't really like leaving them alone in the car, but it's not like people don't do that every day (just make sure to always crack a few windows or just don't bring them if it's a hot day). I guess the down sides to look into are the time commitment (I agree with what joteivv said up earlier in the comments, but otoh I like having to walk them - I would get literally no exercise if it wasn't for them), consistent training and potty training when they are young, picking up after them (it's gross, but it's not terrible, especially with smaller dogs. Half a paper towel with the plastic bag makes it that much less blarghy since you can't feel/see it as much. Also, you might want to keep baby wipes on you when you take them out. Sometimes they get some stuck on them or they might have loose stool, so using a baby wipe with a plastic bag as a glove is kind of a lifesaver), and the added expense of feeding and vet bills. Also, your dog is probably going to want to sleep in/around your bedroom and they ARE going to pass gas while you are trying to fall asleep. Just fyi there lol
Just some random other things...it's really important to get the puppy socialized - towards other adults, old people, little kids (especially kids, but make sure they are not grabby kids who don't know how to approach animals), and other types of animals. Your life will be A LOT easier if your dog isn't fazed by social situations. Also, since you're looking at a smaller dog, you have to watch them a lot more closely when you're out. Some people don't know the strength of their dogs, or the owner is a bully and think it's fun to push around something small, or the other dog isn't well trained, and cute dogs are a kid magnet, so you really have to be on the lookout and be able to judge situations two steps ahead of other people. Our previous dog was a rottweiler and he was an absolute gem (after two times through obedience school, ahaha), but we have small dogs now (less hair mess!), and I was very surprised at how different it felt to be out with them. With my old dog it was like a situation of equals, but with our dogs now, I'm definitely the one who is looking out for them.
Don't be in too much of a rush to get them out though...I would think wait until your puppy (if you're choosing to buy rather than adopt) is done with its vaccinations. If you bring it out of the home too soon, the people or even the ground you set him on (like in a park) can get him sick (parvo is a dirt-dwelling disease).
For spaying/neutering, if you are going to get a boy, you might want to let him grow into himself a bit before neutering him. We neutered our rottweiler when he was...I can't quite remember...I think he was ~2.5 years old-ish...because if it was done earlier than when his secondary sex characteristics set in, he'd have looked skinny/petite all his life. Your vet will probably be able to fill you in on that better.
I think also you should look at what the breed was bred for and make sure that matches you and what you want and can provide for. Every dog is different and all that, but terriers are generally going to be energetic and single-minded, etc. But...maybe that's not so relevant since you want a companion dog and pugs are companion dogs x) Looking up the health problems they are prone to is also a good idea. It can give you a good idea of what to watch out for or what kind of bills to expect.
OH, this is really random, but if you're not going to do those anti-flea things, or your dog happens to pick up a flea before you reapplied it, when you're taking them a bath, wet and soap up their neck first, then proceed down the rest of their body. Chances are the fleas are on the dog's body, so if there is a ring of soap on their neck from the start, it is a lot harder for them to pop onto the dog's head and escape the bath. haha, my mom found that out with our old dog...it made quite a difference!
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:iconinuyashasesshomaru:
~InuYashaSesshomaru Jun 21, 2010  Hobbyist Writer
You've already gotten a lot of advice telling you how hard/expensive it is to have a puppy, so I just want to tell you a few things about Pugs (coming from someone who has groomed dogs for many years and has owned a few):
Pros: cute, small, loyal, clean, and they generally have a great sense of humor (they actually try to make you laugh!)
Cons: hard to train, MANY genetic health problems, including cherry eye, obesity, ear infections, and MANY breathing problems, they snore, and some - when excited - have a hard time breathing.
My cousin owns two, and she adores them, but she has the money to pay for their many illnesses. Also, she's alone since she's divorced and her kids have moved out.

I know quite a bit about dog breeds and consider myself a matcher. If you'd like some help, let me know.
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:iconabsence8:
i've met my friend's pug and he is the chillest dog i've ever met.


pugs not uggs
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:iconkeiiii:
One more thing -- if you can visit the breeder (which you really should) and get to choose your puppy on the spot, pick the one that's most responsive to you. i.e. the one that looks up at you and follows you around, the one that looks at you in the eyes when you call/clap your hands and comes to you eagerly.

This is not a matter of the puppy "liking" you, it's a matter of how attentive they are to human companions. Human-attentive puppies are easier to train. I'd avoid puppies that avoid you, or don't pay attention to you.

Some people have recommended getting a trained adult dog instead of a puppy that you need to train. That option hasn't worked out for me the one time I tried it, although I'm sure it's worked out for others. :( I just couldn't get the dog to trust me. So it's puppies for me, even though I am seriously tired of the work required for raising and training one. It's worth it in the end.
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:iconfelsus:
*Felsus Jun 19, 2010  Professional Digital Artist
I have a boston terrier, she is the best pet I could have, but sometimes I have little time to spend with her, because almost all day I'm in the office, yet I try to be the short time having a good time and lot of attention.
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:iconscarlettpopsicle:
~ScarlettPopsicle Jun 19, 2010  Professional General Artist
People don't often think about the money that goes into a new dog. The first year will be EXPENSIVE.
The cost of the dog, crate, bed, toys, food, dishes, leash and collar, training classes, the 3 sets of first vaccines, spaying/neutering (Pugs sometimes need to have their soft pallate operated on too to help them breath $$$). I highly recommend getting pet insurance too, because it's not "if" something happens to the dog, it's "when".
So expect to pay about 3000$-4000$ the first year alone.
And if you don't have pet insurance, any additionally vet bills could be 500$-1000$ easily.
Also a puppy will need to go outside to be house trained, after it eats, when it wakes up from naps, after playing. . . basically every hour at first then every couple of hours as it gets older until it's 6 months.
Basically, if you can avoid leaving it alone for more than 4 hours a day (because longer is not fair to the dog) and can train it well, and can afford the costs, then go for it, because dogs are great.
And don't forget, you want to buy a "dog", yes it starts as a puppy but it will be a dog at some point. People forget that too often then give up the dog when it is no longer a cute puppy.
I am a veterinary technician, I see this all the time.
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:icongenochi:
~Genochi Jun 18, 2010  Student Digital Artist
That's alot of reading...
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:icondreamingoffire12:
well ummm puppies are alot of work, and even if you get a pure-breed you arent guarenteed a good or smart dog. i have always had a good experience with dogs from animal shelters because its a different kind of relationship. you arent just their leader, but you are also their saviour. the ones that are old enough to remember the shelter will always love you for that. also mutts have far fewer health problems when compared to purebreeds.
now as for puppies i recommend that when you raise it that you make sure that you assert yourself as the pack leader. dogs will always have their wolf intincts, and if you let it think that it determines the rules then you will have one hell of a time trying to get the house back under your rule. dogs like huskies and german shepherds are very strong willed and it takes alot of work to assert yourself as the head of the house. info about various breeds can be found here
[link]
now the really good thigns about dogs. if you raise them right a dog can be your best friend. there is something special about being part of a pack. its a kind of love that not everyone gets. your pack is always there for you and will always be happy to see you. my best friend is a dog and i love her with all of my heart. its more than just a responsibility, its an emotional commitement. the worst thing about dogs is that they dont live as long as people, and one day you will have to say goodbye. in my opinion... it is worth all the tears and the sweat. no friend will ever love you like your dog. it is the best feeling in the world
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:iconneveraskwhy:
dogs are worse than tinkerbell when it comes to socialitism if youre not prepared to take them for walks feed them discapline them and take them to meet and greet then dont get one... i didnt mention the poo because that goes without saying
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