Dogs?

[Guest ncm2169]

No, this isn't about bad newz escorts. }(

 

Seriously, who here has a dog or dogs as pets?

 

I am currently without a pet, but I am on the verge of getting both a Collie and a Goldie as pups. (Yes, I know all about hip dysplasia). Both will be males, and I will have over 2 (electric fenced) acres for them to play and roam, besides twice-daily walks.

 

I've almost always had a dog in my life - a Cocker Spaniel, a Dachshund, a Poodle, 2 German Shepherds, a Collie, and a Bearded Collie.

 

Does anyone have experience with getting two pups around the same time? I have friends who tell me (a) it works well because they become companions for life, and (b) it doesn't work because they learn each others' worst behavior habits. My cynical side tells me that probably both apply.

 

Any advice? :*

[MichiganMan]

I got two black lab pups back in 1991 as a "housegift" for my new built dwelling. What a treat watching two puppies shit and piss all over my brand-spanking new carpet. They were brother and sister...named Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie was the cuddler, Clyde was the "rascal". I can honesly say, from the bottom of my heart and my deepest soul, the most beautiful things I've ever been blessed with. Words cannot express the joy they both brought me....gotta stop now...somthing in my eyes.....

[Guest ncm2169]

< What a treat watching two puppies shit and piss all over my brand-spanking new carpet.

 

No KennelAire(s), eh?

 

I've had enough expensive shoes, etc., chewed up. I know how to "raise" a puppy. x(

[Guest josephga]

I love dogs to i got my first at the age of 3 and i have never gone one moment without one. my current is a 8 year old Chihuahua that my bf at the time bought me 8 years ago. befor that i had Chihuahua that lived too be 17 years old. im one of those that veiws their dog as their child and will put them above anyone else..

[twinkboylover28]

Boston Terriers are my fave! Having two of them is a delight.

 

http://www.petfinder.com

[Guest Wetnwildbear]

>Does anyone have experience with getting two pups around the

>same time?

 

 

NCM, I thought you were already training two puppies at the same

 

time, Shane and his brunette brother <Sparky?> ___________

 

(insert correct name)!

 

LOL :P :P

[+ glutes]

ncm, before you jump in to canine companionship - check out the movie "Year of the Dog". A quirky comedy with Molly Shannon and Laura Dern, you will laugh and possibly shed a tear. If you don't, you are not a dog type.

As far as getting two at the same time, they are pack animals!

[Okliehomo]

Having dogs has been the most satisfying relationship in my life. I get that that says alot about my choice in men....but seriously, dogs are so much better than people. Unconditional love and loyalty and always thrilled to see you. I had a poodle and a maltese that were raised together and each lived to be almost 17 years old. Lost one in 2004 and the other in 2006. I really sruggled with the idea of getting another pup because watching them age and then losing them was like losing a child to me. Or as close as I will ever come to that kind of loss. Well, last April, my ex that I don't hate's cousin had a 4 year old dog that was having a problem adjusting to a new baby in the house. She is half maltese and half Shitsu (sp???)...picture a solid black maltese. She has the maltese baby face and personality. Just fucking adorable...It was like having both of my girls back in one little body. A real blessing to me.

 

Never knew I missed having a dog so much until she came to live with me. So I am going with the idea that all the years of joy and companionship are worth the sadness at the end.

 

I read once that:

 

"If you take a starving dog off the street and feed him, he will never bite you. That is the principle difference between dogs and men."

 

Ain't that the truth.

 

Okie

[NorthWoods]

Briefly, dogs prefer company (unlike most domestic cats) and do quite well in pairs. Here, you have two pups matched in age, temperament, and nearly in size. Aside from the additional chores you will have to undertake, there should be no problems with your plan.

 

-North

[NorthWoods]

One other thing: If you get them at different times, be sure to "introduce" them to each other outside of the home. Why? Because even though they are pups, there are still territorial issues in a doggyland, and one pup may become defensive about having its territory invaded.

 

-North

[JT Brooklyn]

I also have had Dogs the majority of my life. IF you have the Time and they have the right Temperment and Room to Play, everything should be fine.

 

Although having had Dobie's, with Great Temperments, I would watch once they reach "Maturity", as NOT ALWAY'S do 2 Males get along!

 

Unless they are Gay and even then it doesn't alway's work out! LOL ;-

[Bilbo]

On the other hand Okie, the only person my dear departed Chow, Bard, ever bit was me! LOL

And he only did that twice in his life.

Would that that were the case with our new cat. Just over a year old and still biting and scratching Maverick and me. Sometimes just out of unexpected playfulness. But then, he comes from a family (father, mother and several sibs) of biters, as the actor who gave him to me warned me.

[Guest ncm2169]

< If you get them at different times, be sure to "introduce" them to each other outside of the home.

 

Very interesting advice, NW! Thanks!! }(

[Guest ncm2169]

< I thought you were already training two puppies at the same time

 

Fortunately, they both arrived "house-broken." :9

[Epigonos]

I was not raised with dogs. When I was a kid, however, my mother did have a Chihuahua which was a rotten little beast. Ten years ago, at age 57, I decided I wanted a black female American Cocker Spaniel. She spent two years on the show circuit with a wonderful woman who was also her breeder. When she came home to stay the first thing she did was have an accident on my kitchen floor. My immediate response was whoops and that, of course, became her name – Whoops. For the last eight years she has been the joy of my life. Whoops has NEVER met a person or an animal that she doesn’t love and all of my friends marvel at what a loving sweet dog she is. In the evening we wrestle for a few minutes on my bed and then she lies at the foot of the bed and we watch a movie together. She is now beginning to gray and though she hasn’t yet begun to slow down the very though of loosing her brings me to tears.

[Michael Vincenzo]

I beg you not to purchase a dog. Please, if you are going to get a dog, adopt one from a shelter or breed specific rescue. Every time someone purchases a dog, a discarded dog's chances are diminished.

 

Feel free to contact me if you want more information. I am an avid animal rights advocate and I could really enlighten you on this subject.

 

Michael Vincenzo

 

Email: MichaelVincenzo@aol.com

Phone: 321.287.4568

 

Reviews: http://www.daddysreviews.com/finder.php?loc=Michael%20Vincenzo-0-1-10&who=michael_vincenzo_orlando

 

Men4RentNow: http://www.men4rentnow.com/ds/search.asp?cmd=view&id=175770

[Guest ncm2169]

Anybody here ever have a Beardie? Or, even know about them?

 

http://thebeardiespaw.com/

 

They're fun as hell and you'll laugh at their antics forever. .}(

 

But talk about a grooming nightmare. x(

[+ deej]

The biter will always be a biter, but over time the teeth become less sharp. I know that's slim consolation with needle-like kitten teeth but it really does get more tolerable.

 

They say you can't train cats, but you should see my guys bolt to attention when I walk through the room with a plant mister. They know it has a "stun" setting. ;-)

[Guest ncm2169]

< Every time someone purchases a dog, a discarded dog's chances are diminished.

 

Huh??? Would you please try to explain that to me? x(

 

Oops, now I think I understand your "logic." Taken to its "logical" conclusion, if I choose to buy a puppy, I am committing canine murder.

 

Uh huh. Sure. x(

[OneFinger]

>...If you are going to get a dog, adopt one from a shelter or breed specific rescue.

 

Got to agree with this but, probably, for different reasons. Many of the dogs you can get from a shelter are a little older, house-trained, and past the destructive stage.

 

I don't have the time or patience to go through the puppy years again with a single dog. Don't know how you can bear the thought of trying to do two at a time.

 

The idea of introducing them outside is right on. You may also need to feed them separately so one doesn't become "keeper of the food". Finally, remember that you need to make sure both understand that YOU are the top dog - not either of them.

 

Good luck and be sure to hide expensive shoes, slippers, clothing, ....:+

[Guest ncm2169]

< Don't know how you can bear the thought of trying to do two at a time.

 

Only because my experiences with Collie and Goldie pups give me confidence I can get them past puppyhood with little damage. (Right time of year, right place for playing, right equipment (matching KennelAires, etc.).

 

< make sure both understand that YOU are the top dog

 

You got that right. In my world, humans are humans and canines are canines. Doesn't mean I won't love the hell out of them, but it does mean I don't feed them people food or let them sleep on a velvet sofa. x(

[+ deej]

>I beg you not to purchase a dog. Please, if you are going to

>get a dog, adopt one from a shelter or breed specific rescue.

 

I agree with this and can I just say I am SO not surprised to find out you are an advocate.

 

Loving and perfectly viable companions are euthanized every day just because someone who bought a puppy realized they could not live up to the requirements or just got bored. Or because the breeder couldn't sell the pup and dumped it on the shelter circuit.

 

I already adored you, Michael. Now it's an even deeper respect.

[+ ArVaGuy]

>< Every time someone purchases a dog, a discarded dog's

>chances are diminished.

>

>Huh??? Would you please try to explain that to me? x(

>

>Oops, now I think I understand your "logic." Taken

>to its "logical" conclusion, if I choose to buy a

>puppy, I am committing canine murder.

>

>Uh huh. Sure. x(

 

 

NCM, I'd say that Michael is making a very good point about the issue of unwanted pets in shelters. There are millions of dogs and cats destroyed every year due to overcrowded shelters. Its a very unfortunate situation and a lot of people do take this issue very seriously.

 

Purebred dogs make great companions but my peference leans to good old fashioned "mutts". Mixed breeds tend to be healthier and will often have more distinct personalities. Pet adoptions are certainly less expensive than purchasing a AKC registered breed. But everybody has their preferences and I respect that.

 

If my travel schedule were not so extensive I'd head down to the local Animal Welfare League and adopt. But I just can't take the guilt of having to leave a dog with a kennel on a regular almost weekly basis. That's not fair to the dog. :-(

[+ ArVaGuy]

>Loving and perfectly viable companions are euthanized every

>day just because someone who bought a puppy realized they

>could not live up to the requirements or just got bored. Or

>because the breeder couldn't sell the pup and dumped it on the

>shelter circuit.

>

 

And this is the time of year when shelters start getting pets dumped on them like crazy. Those cute kittens and puppies that were given as Christmas presents wind up getting tossed aside when people realize the responsibility. Its really disconcerting.

 

I run our annual holiday drives for Toys for Tots, our local Food Bank, and Homeless Shelter at my office. A few years ago I added the Animal Welfare League to that mix. We've collected blankets, dog/cat food, collars, cat toys, and rawhides among other items. So besides collecting for the humans we collect for the animals which fits with our mission as an environmental nonprofit.

[Guest ncm2169]

< I don't think you meant to come across as insenitive

 

AVG, you are right, I don't mean to be insensitive. I do, however, reject and resent the charge that I am contributing to canine euthanasia when or if I purchase a puppy from a breeder rather than a shelter.

 

That's as far-fetched as if I were to be charged with child killing if I chose to have my own child (with my partner of choice) and didn't adopt an already born child who was put up for adoption.

 

I do, however plead guilty to believing that humans are humans and animals are animals. Just about one year ago, I had a 14 y/o Bearded Collie put to sleep who was in serious pain and degeneration. I could have spent a few thousand on his (temporary) rehabilitation, and of course I would have done that without question if he had been my human child. But he wasn't, and in my world, there is a difference.

 

And then there's the tale of my teenage daughter's cat who, after 6 months of paying the feline medical freight to rid him of a urinary tract infection (we're talking over $7,000), we were told he had diabetes and would require thrice daily insulin injections.

 

Sayonora kitty.