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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Psychopoppy on December 7, 2003, at 2:43:19
I have never had a dog except from the age of 1 to 3 (which i dont even remember). I am a fully grown adult now (almost 30....yikes !!!) and have always loved and adored dogs and have always wanted one. Soon my hubby and I might be in a position to actually get one but I am so afraid that i wont know what to do about things like... how to know when your doggy is sick, how to make him obey me and how to make sure that he wont bite me in anger one day and how do dog-owners just stick their hands in their dogs mouth to get something out, how to read a dog's personality at the SPCA when adopting ......
I am really afraid that i wont make a very strong dog-owner. I know i'll love my doggy to death but what does it take to be loving and yet also the authority figure..ie. the boss ?
I have no experience with pets at all so it really scares me but I really really want a dog...
any advice doggy people ?
Posted by Dinah on December 7, 2003, at 10:16:49
In reply to another dog-related question, posted by Psychopoppy on December 7, 2003, at 2:43:19
My advice would be to research, research, research. There are enough breeds out there that have been developed for enough different purposes that if you know what you're looking for, you can find out what breeds will have that. For example, it would appear that you wouldn't be comfortable with a dominant dog. But my little ones just never bite humans. When my Harry bit me, the relief vet just didn't understand the significance of it. She said he wasn't feeling well and was snappish. But my regular vet knew at once it was the narcotic pain reliever. We made another choice and he hasn't bitten again. It was completely contrary to his personality and the vet knew it.
I have a couple of books that I've bought several of and loan out.
"The Right Dog for You" by Daniel Tortora (my favorite)
"Your Purebred Puppy" by Michelle Lowell.
If you're planning to get a non-purebred, those books are still helpful because the temperament of your "All American" will be influenced by the breeds of dogs that he comes from.
If you rescue from the SPCA, that's great. Make sure to look the dog over carefully for health and temperament.
If you get a purebred, make sure you get one from a responsible breeder where the pups are raised underfoot. Not from a puppymiller or someone supplied by a puppymiller (pet shop pups often are). No matter how cute the puppy, puppymill pups come from awful circumstances. If you've got a strong stomach, you can do a Google search on it.
Getting a little one is fun, but exhausting and can be nerve wracking. Getting an older dog sometimes, but not always, means getting a package of behavioral habits. One of my girls came to me from an elderly relative who went in a home. She got her from her breeder who took her back from an very abusive situation. Yet this dog fit seamlessly into our house and is the best behaved of the lot.
Be careful choosing and you're likely to be happy with the result.
Although I must confess that my worst dog experience came from buying a male puppy at eight weeks from a giant breed that had a reputation for being very gentle. But he had no more respect for me than for the door. He needed a strong male figure and ended up living happily with my very tall deep voiced dad, with whom he was completely docile. So, ok, occasionally even careful preparation doesn't work. But that was the only time that happened.
Posted by Dinah on December 7, 2003, at 10:24:05
In reply to Re: another dog-related question » Psychopoppy, posted by Dinah on December 7, 2003, at 10:16:49
"The Right Dog for You" by Daniel Tortora
Posted by octopusprime on December 7, 2003, at 13:20:50
In reply to another dog-related question, posted by Psychopoppy on December 7, 2003, at 2:43:19
hello
i was a "dog owner" in my teenage years only and i learned some of the stuff you asked.
" how to know when your doggy is sick,"
the runny poop out the back end, general listlessness, excessive sleeping, not so interested in food, drink, or play. dogs have personalities, you get to know them, and you will know when your dog is not his/her normal self.
"how to make him obey me"
obedience classes. plus you, as the owner, must be convinced you are the alpha dog. when commanding a dog, speak with authority and without hestitation. cultivate your strongest voice to use. use your most assertive "NO", combined with shakers, loud noises, and spraying the dog with the vegetable sprayer when he climbs into the dishwasher to lick gravy (and get it dripped on his head) again!!! :)
"and how to make sure that he wont bite me in anger one day"
love your dog, respect your dog, and train your dog.
"and how do dog-owners just stick their hands in their dogs mouth to get something out"
there is a technique to do this safely, similar to doing a modified jaw thrust on a human when mouth to mouth is required.
"how to read a dog's personality at the SPCA when adopting"
can't help you there, refer to dinah's post, she is the dog queen :)
Posted by deirdrehbrt on December 8, 2003, at 8:32:43
In reply to another dog-related question, posted by Psychopoppy on December 7, 2003, at 2:43:19
Psychopoppy,
Getting a first dog is a daunting thing. There is so much that you don't know. I learned a few lessons when I got Maggie.
1: There are many breeds of dog, and they are all good dogs. Some, though, are better suited to an owner who hasn't had the experience of sharing their lives with a dog. Other breeds can be more challenging. It is best for a first-time owner to choose a breed of dog that is more calm tempered.
2: Some breeds require a great deal of physical exercise. Try to find one that is suited to your activity level. You can help each other keep in shape.
3: All dogs crave being with people. If you can't be with your dog for a significant part of each day, then your dog will be unhappy.
4: First aid; Dogs will eat things that they aren't supposed to. I always had charcoal capsules around just in case Maggie decided to eat things like lots of chocolate, etc. Always have your vet's number in a convenient place.
5: You will become very acquainted with your dog and her behaviours. If She is behaving strangely, then something is likely wrong, and you should check it out.
6: Register your dog. Keep up on the shots. It is the law in most localities, and it is important. If an unregistered dog bites someone, they are most likely to be put down. Your dog will probably get out someday, and if it is caught by the animal control officer, they will check for the registration. If it is registered, you will get your friend back soon.
7: Your dog wants to please you. You are the most important person in her life. Be as dedicated to her as she is to you.
Just my lessons from a fabulous dog.
Dee.
Posted by Susan J on December 8, 2003, at 9:18:45
In reply to another dog-related question, posted by Psychopoppy on December 7, 2003, at 2:43:19
Hello,
Oh, I just love dogs. :-) I adopted my dog from a rescue organization at one year old. I think that's a good idea, especially for a new dog owner. I *love* the puppy stage, too, but it's a lot of work, and if you get a mixed-breed, like I did, you don't know how big they'll be, their temperment, etc. I wanted a sort-haired dog around 50 pounds and I got a wonderful one. :-)
There are a lot of good advice books like Dinah recommended.
My own *must do* list:
1. Let the dog know you are leader of their *pack* and that you are in charge. This helps deal with any people-agression, food-agresssion, etc.
2. And never hit the dog. If you have to, a light slap on the muzzle. Hitting can make for an agressive dog.
3. Basic obedience like sit, stay, and down are essential.
4. A tired dog is a happy dog. Make sure the pup can get plenty of exercise.
5. Dogs are very social creatures. They need play time with you, they like to be with you, they really should be a part of the family.
6. Crate training is good, but I wouldn't leave a dog in a crate more than 9 hours. Some people say no more than 6 hours.
7. Don't leave the dog outside unattended, especially in urban areas. It's common where I live that people steal the dogs and do whatever to them. Not pleasant.Good luck. I'm sure you will be a wonderful *human* to your dog. :-)
Susan
Posted by LostGirl on December 8, 2003, at 16:52:32
In reply to My 2 Cents » Psychopoppy, posted by Susan J on December 8, 2003, at 9:18:45
I got my first dog at 45 - the kids were old enough to take care of him - so they said. I was also scared about knowing what to do. I bought a couple of puppy books, and we enrolled in training classes - first Puppy Kindergarten, then Pet Dog 1. It sounds ridiculous, but we learned a lot and he is well trained.
Posted by Psychopoppy on December 8, 2003, at 19:14:45
In reply to Re: My 2 Cents, posted by LostGirl on December 8, 2003, at 16:52:32
I loved reading everyone's 2 cents worth, which amounted to about 100 dollars of sense and encouragement for me.
I would never get a dog if i didnt know for sure that i am in a position to take on the responsibility and give it all the love and attention and its other necessities (same reason I wouldnt just have a child to fulfill my urges without being ready for the responsibilty and changes it brings).
So, thanks for sharing your doggy knowledge and experiences. I can totally see one in my not-too-distant future !
:-))PS- last little question.... if one is planning to have both a child and a dog in their lives, which is better...child first then dog or dog first then child (are dogs possesive to the point that they may be jealous or aggressive and hurt the baby ?) or both around the same time period ?
Posted by Dinah on December 8, 2003, at 19:28:14
In reply to Thanks so much, posted by Psychopoppy on December 8, 2003, at 19:14:45
Depends on the breed, and even more specifically the dog. Some dogs don't mix well with very little children. I was lucky. Son and dogs seemed to have a mutual pact to ignore each other. Now I'm sorry he's not closer to them.
Posted by fallsfall on December 9, 2003, at 6:52:40
In reply to Thanks so much, posted by Psychopoppy on December 8, 2003, at 19:14:45
I got a Springer Spaniel puppy when I was 8 months pregnant - couldn't hold off those Mommy urges any longer. The puppy was a handful until he died at age 9 - I loved him dearly. We had him fixed when he started marking his territory in the living room - we wanted to make it clear that the playpen was NOT his territory.
So I solved the "which comes first, the baby or the puppy" by getting them at the same time. I don't know if I recommend that strategy, but it did work for me.
I agree that it really depends on the breed of dog - and the personality of the individual dog.
I have 2 cocker spaniels now. I found them on the internet. They had been with their family for 5 and 6 years, respecively. But the family had a baby, and the 1 year old was now beating them on the head with wooden spoons and pulling their ears. Cockers usually don't do well with small children unless they grew up with small children (and their case wasn't so much that they wouldn't get along with the child, as that the child wasn't understanding not to hurt them). My youngest was 13 - and we all get along fine.
Good luck!
Posted by Susan J on December 9, 2003, at 8:59:35
In reply to Thanks so much, posted by Psychopoppy on December 8, 2003, at 19:14:45
I don't have any personal experience, here, but my brother and his wife got a dog 3 years before baby. But the dog got totally ignored when baby showed up. I don't think I'd do them at the same time -- both baby and *puppy* need tons of care. So get one of them potty trained before the other one shows up in the house!
I'm surprised the adoption fees were so high. The organization I work with charges $175 now. It was $125 when I got my dog, and the dog had already been vetted/all shots/spayed. There've got to be some places out there...
Have fun!
Susan
Posted by Penny on December 9, 2003, at 10:14:24
In reply to another dog-related question, posted by Psychopoppy on December 7, 2003, at 2:43:19
The only thing I have to say is to make sure that it is a committment you're willing to make for the lifetime of the dog before adopting one. Not that I don't think you wouldn't...I'm just reminded of this as my former roommate and her family goes through pets as though they aren't living creatures. She got her first dog after I got my dogs (I had grown up having dogs, but she hadn't), and she found her a new home a year ago - the dog was 2 years old. When she got her, as a small puppy from a friend's litter, the dog was so cute and tiny...but she grew large, and my former roommate ended up keeping her crated much of the time and not paying her much attention. She never fully house-trained the dog, and the dog was so full of energy and didn't get the exercise or playtime she needed. Fortunately, now, the dog lives with a family with children to play with and a yard to run in. I'm so pleased ... even though my former roomie's excuse for getting rid of her was because she didn't get along with my dogs (both small dogs). I don't care what her excuse was - the dog is so much better off.
But her family will get a pet, get tired of it, get rid of it, and get another pet. And they never have their animals spayed or neutered, so they just keep procreating, and then the pups get taken to the shelter...well, there's just too many of them there and too many of them are being euthanized...it's a huge frustration for me. She just wrote me a note to let me know that her younger brother's dog died having her pups last night - and that her mother doesn't act like she cares. Dogs, and all living creatures, are not disposable!!! I don't even know how to respond to her.
I got my dogs through rescue groups - they are mutts, one was a puppy when I got her, but didn't grow to be large, another was full-grown. Both are so sweet, though a lot of responsibility, but I have never regretted getting them.
Just realize that they require a lot of attention - dogs are pack animals, and they don't do well when left alone for long periods of time. I have two because my first one didn't do well being left at home while I was at work, even though I went home at lunch every day. Having two allows them to keep each other company - but they still act as though they can't contain their excitement when I walk through the door. All animals need love and attention, but I think this applies to dogs more than most.
At the same time - whatever love and attention you give will be returned to you a hundred times over. It's so worth it. But it is an investment.
Good luck.
Bark. :-b
P
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