Dog Lifestyle - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Dog Lifestyle

fathenry

Veteran

I'm considering adopting a smallish adult dog. I live with my husband and two adult cats in a good sized condo in a suburban area. This would be my first time as a dog owner. For those that have dogs, what kind of changes did you need to make in your lifestyle? What did you expect/not expect?

-I work from home 2-3 days/week, my husband is home every afternoon mid day plus one full weekday
-I have 2 adult cats who've tolerated/ignored mellow dogs who have stayed with us
-I do travel 6-8 times a year. My husband travels twice a year.
-I do not have a yard
-No children

Thanks for any tips or advice!

Off Topic

19 replies

Latest reply was from

pil

Veteran

Do you 'know' the dog you are thinking of adopting? It may be worth going through a rescue and adopting a dog who has been with a foster. They may be able to answer more questions about the dog's personality and habits than a shelter.

For the most part we have always had a dog - or two. While I love my dogs to pieces there are times I have second thoughts about having adopted them. We had two euthanized fairly close together a couple of years ago and I jumped right in to adopting two more adult pugs.

I don't know how old you are but we are empty nesters and it can be tricky planning vacations or even a long evening out. Working around meals and potty breaks. One of mine isn't very cooperative when potty time comes around so I have spent many a night out in the snow or rain waiting and waiting for him to find the right spot. They are basically 'my' dogs so I never ask my husband to do this in nasty weather.

I'm fortunate to know a couple of young ladies who will dogsit at our house when we go out of town, but it has never been for more than a week.

With cats you're familiar with vet bills

Not trying to discourage you, but it can be a challenge.

P.S. my husband told me about someone he knows (retired) who decided he can now sell the family motorcoach. The dog died so now they can stay in hotels. Sad and funny at the same time.

Anonymous

The other thing to consider is to make sure the dog does not have separation anxiety issues. Dogs are very social creatures whereby cats are pretty much independent (I have had many cats and one dog - cats are much easier).

Ditto what pil said about adopting a dog who has been fostered. A neighbor did this and it made everything a lot easier. The dog they adopted was given up 2 times previously for various reasons - one was that he was abused by previous owner and did not like men, the family who adopted him was disappointed that the dog did not like to play with kids (my dog does not like children either; only adults). The foster was able to match the dog with the right family.

JAileen

Veteran

Another consideration is whether the dog barks a lot. We have two terriers. The Jack Russell barks all the time. I cannot imagine living in a condo with him. The neighbors would be very unhappy.

I've heard the best dogs are retired racing greyhounds. I knew someone who had one, and it was the most mellow dog I'd ever met. However, they are not small.

rachylou

Veteran

I never had a yard until recently, so I don't see that as an obstacle. I always just took 10-min breaks outside, besides The Walk.

Barking is the one thing that's a deal breaker in an apartment/condo. Lilypup never barked in our apartments, but boy does she bark now in a house. Anyways. There are things you can do to minimise barking and anxiety.

The one thing I think was valuable in choosing a dog - being able to observe the dog in a pack, for several hours.

I purposely chose a dog not too energetic, not too forward, and, ahem, not too bright. Not border collie bright anyways. They have to be content with a life of leisure.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I think the biggest realization, for me, was how a dog ties you to home in a way that cats do not. You can leave a cat for a long day or an overnight just with access to a catbox and to food and water dispensers. But if an indoor dog is waiting for you to get home so it take a potty break, you have to plan your day around that schedule--it makes long adventures and day-trips almost impossible.

JAileen

Veteran

The wonderful thing about a dog apart from the affection and goofiness, is that when I take mine on an outing, so many people come up to meet them and talk to my husband and me.

rachylou

Veteran

It *is* true dogs are social animals. You can't leave them all alone at 7 in the morning and stay out until midnight. On the other hand, I worked two jobs for years with Lilypup. I'd be gone from 7-5, then home for dinner, then three nights a week I was off to the bakery until midnight. I had a dog walker, my mom and my neighbor to come in and visit on those long days (on rotation, one a day, not all of them same day). Lilypup wouldn't go anywhere with them, mind. Half a block at best. And they'd only be there for 30 minutes or so. But she was very happy with the arrangements and a regular cast of characters coming and going.

I will note, I did set expectations. I worked with Lilypup to make sure what she could expect and what was expected of her. Established routines and hand signals. I do think Cesar Milan is right about calm assertive leadership and boundaries.

The biggest thing I wish I'd realised, you MUST pick the potty spot before you bring the dog in and show them that first thing. I mean, I wished I'd taught Lilypup to use a puppy pad straight off. She'll only use it in the middle of the night, only if she really has to. She will only go outside in the main. And if it's raining, she won't drink water so she doesn't have to go out and go. She's a pain in the butt sometimes. Lol.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok... there was a year there where my mum got mad at ATT and stopped her internet. My neighbor reported her sneaking in all the time to check her email... lolol!

MaryA

My husband and I recently "adopted" a 2 year old rottweiler/shepard mix. Adopted is in quotes because she was my son's dog but his work schedule has him out of the house for 8 to 12 hours every day and that was not a good environment for his dog (Fiona). He adopted her when she was about 10 months old and she had been found as a stray, adopted, and then relinquished already. She had severe separation anxiety due to her earlier life but he got her a large crate and she became comfortable with his absences while he was in class or at work. It turns out that she was also afraid of older meant with grey hair and he had to work with her to get her over that fear.
My husband has never owned a dog and my family had a little terrier when I was in my teens so this has been a bit of an adjustment for us. I am home during the day, however, so there is always someone around to take Fiona out for walks or potty breaks. I have never gotten so much exercise. She also has a crate for when we are gone for more than an hour. We can leave her for up to 8 hours if we have to but we try to get home earlier.
The one thing that I would really recommend is signing up for a training class with your new dog. Fiona and I took a class at a facility that trains, boards and does doggy daycare. Fiona and I both learned the basics of sit, stay, come and heel. My son had never leash trained her because he lived in a gated apartment complex and it wasn't necessary. By the end of the class Fiona learned who was in charge and started learning proper behavior around other dogs. (She still wants to play with every dog she meets and can drag me across a street trying to visit a new friend.)
The other benefit of training at this facility is that Fiona is now comfortable there and we have a safe place to leave her for the day or to board her when we go on vacation.
She may be a bit of work but we have gotten a beautiful dog who showers us with love and affection every day.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Anonymous

Having read your criteria, as the owner of one, most of the terrier breeds would NOT seem like an obvious choice but there are exceptions!
I think even minimal research will reveal the most important issues, like medical problems, separation anxiety, etc.

I can't discourage someone who wants a dog, it's been a life changing experience that's been better than my best dream of how it would be and because of that I can want only the best for the dog, any dog.

The real issue is; Are you committed to making it work no matter what it takes?

Nebraskim

Veteran

I kind of agree that the adjustment is somewhat hinged on the breed of the exact dog in question. Some are more needy, high-strung, prone to barking, shedding, high maintenance, needful of lots of exercise, etc. Some breeds can be challenging for first-time owners. What is your willingness to accommodate an animal's needs? Animals, in my opinion, require you to lean in for the long haul. Unless there are huge reasons to give one up, they are yours for their life. Recently, I learned of a pair of golden retrievers (ages 7 and 9) who were surrendered to our local shelter because the owners were "downsizing." No one knows what that meant, but these beautiful dogs were despondent., confused and traumatized. They were adopted and then, for some reason, returned. A friend and I campaigned on their behalf on Facebook, and a mutual friend has adopted them. These dogs are lovely, lovely animals, well behaved and gracious. The adopter, who had recently lost an elderly beloved dog, is so thrilled to have them in her life. We have always had dogs and we structure our lives around their needs, which are not burdensome but they do need to be fed, walked, groomed, etc. But I find it rewarding and worthwhile. Adopting an animal is not to be done on a whim (usually) but it so fulfilling. Good luck.

rachylou

Veteran

Out of curiosity, MaryA, Fiona has been crated up to 8 hours? I guess that's good training for an airplane flight. And car rides. I haven't trained Lilypup to be in a crate like that. Although, lol, Lilypup crates herself in the car when we go camping... lol! And under my grandma' footstool...

But my curiosity is, what would happen if you left Fiona uncrated while you were gone? Do you lock her in the crate or is the door left open?

My family kennelled the guard dogs during the day. But we had a house dog that was never kennelled.

Anonymous

I ditto JAileen as to the retired greyhounds. My neighbor had 2 (1 died from cancer recently) and they are very docile, but a bit big.

Since your DH is home at midday, you won't have a problem finding someone to walk/let the dog out midday. Starting with a puppy is tough, but can be done. Some breeds are quick to train, others hard. You probably want a low key dog, under 20 pounds, easy to train. For a pure bred, I would recommend a Cesky Terrier. They are the calmest of all the terriers, smart, easy to train. Another possibility is a Havanese.

Jane

Veteran

My mum has a Schnauzer, miniature, and she is gorgeous. Really good natured and small and easy to live with. She likes a life of leisure and is very loyal. I worried that she would have a terrier mentality but she doesn't display too much to be of concern (my mum's dog that is - not my mum!).

I hope that you enjoy choosing .

MaryA

Rachy - 8 hours is her maximum because that was the length of my son's longest shift when he worked the 11 pm to 7 am shift at his hotel, Most of the time he would have a friend come in and walk her when he worked days. For a while his job required him to work 3 days a week from 3 to 11 and then 2 days a week from 11 pm to 7 am. This is one of the reasons Fiona now lives with us. This schedule was doable on a temporary basis but would have made her miserable long term. He kept his apartment cool and dark and she would pretty much sleep the whole time he was gone.
She had pretty severe separation anxiety and tore up his apartment the first time he left her uncrated. He then got her a very large crate and she felt secure after that.
We have our kitchen and family room gated off from the rest of the house and she is allowed to roam if we are going to be gone for only an hour. Any longer and we lock her in her crate. Her crate is also completely padded with her dog bed. The crate is in our kitchen and remains open the rest of the time. At night she puts herself to bed in there although we leave the door open so she can go get a drink or go to sleep on her blanket in the family room.
She is safety harnessed in our car for long trips - we take her for car trips that last up to 8 or 9 hours and she does just fine.
Here is a photo of her hanging out in her crate just to be cozy.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

rachylou

Veteran

Fiona really likes her crate Lilypup likes under the footstool.

fathenry

Veteran

So much good advice here. I appreciate hearing the diverse opinions and experiences. I'm definitely a committed animal parent which is why I take it so seriously. Like a child, your life really does revolve around a dog. I would like the companionship. I would like the exercise. Would I like it when it's 40 degrees and raining at 5 am in November? Would I be willing to move if it barked too much? I'm taking it all in, thanks for giving me some additional perspectives to think about. My friends who are dog lovers talk a lot about the benefits but not so much about the sacrifices.

Nebraskim

Veteran

Here's a sort of sacrifice: I rarely travel with my spouse so that someone will be here with our dogs. My spouse loves to travel and in fact, he is gone this week on a small vacation to another state. One of our dogs has epilepsy and needs special medications given at specific intervals. It's better if one of us is home to deliver that. I skipped a two-week cross country trip with my spouse in January 2014 as our beloved elderly pug seemed to be nearing the end of her journey. She died about three weeks after he returned. I could not leave such a fragile animal in care of a pet sitter (what if she had to make the final decision?) even though our sitter is fantastic and trustworthy. So that is a sacrifice. We do not go for long day trips unless we have a neighbor come in and let our dogs out. The fact that I don't really actually LIKE to travel makes this less of a sacrifice on my part and I don't know if my spouse cares whether I accompany him or not.

Anonymous

You have had excellent advice. Know that getting a dog can be costly with vet, grooming and possible dog walking and sitting. On the plus side you will go out for walks even if you don't feel like it, for the dog.

I nix the Havanese as a bad choice for a condo...constant barking. My inlaws have two. They take constant grooming and are prone to seizures and have made it difficult to get into a retirement home because of their barking. They also are "enthusiastic greeters" and jump on everyone who comes in the door.

A larger dog can pull you over if you are small or frail. I cannot walk our 40 pounder by myself. On the other hand, they are a source of conversation and full of surprises and great loyalty. Our dog is a little clown who keeps us in stitches. At age 8 she is still a puppy at heart who loves to play.

I second the comment of not getting a breed that is smart. A problem solving dog will learn to do things like open the refrigerator and will manipulate you.