Adopting a dog?

[cwiseman77]

I am seriously considering adopting a dog. I had dogs growing up and my Dad, who lives close by, has a cocker who I look after when he goes away, and often take on my days off to go walking/geocaching/hill climbing. Does anyone have any experience of the process? I am a bit wary. I know it is a big commitment.

I live in quite a small flat so couldn't have too boisterous a dog. I do however have a small garden and live a 5 minute walk away from a beach. SWMBO works 9-5/Mon-Fri whereas I work a lot of weekends and nights, so there's usually someone home. Due to the hours I work/and the fact that I'm quite a solitary creature, I really think I would benefit from the companionship of a dog and think I have a lot of time, energy and love to give a canine pal.

 

[bobsbeer]

Depends on what sort of dog you are after, but loads of info on http://www.cockersonline.co.uk

 

[cwiseman77]

Depends on what sort of dog you are after, but loads of info on http://www.cockersonline.co.uk

Cheers will have a look. Doesn't have to beer a cocker but I do find them to have such a good nature, need a lot of exercise which is fine. My dad's dog is 9 now, I've spent a lot of time with him, lived with them for a year, think I have heard him bark 4 times....ever.

 

[bobsbeer]

We have a cocker, but she does bark when she wants to :lol: But she is only 2 so still a bit of a youngster. Lovely nature though. Prior to her we had labs which are so easy to train and again lovely nature.

 

[alawlor66430]

Any dog will be a good companion so I suppose it'll come down to personal choice, i personally love terriers, a wee jack or patterdale or staffie, they've got so much character and from experience a staffie will be your best friend forever, I sure miss my old staffie :-( such loyal and loving dogs, but unfortunately they are misunderstood, not the bad ass dogs that your local neds make them look like. And retiming centres are full of them, poor wee dogs that didn't have a chance early in life. Good on yi for for wanting to adopt one by the way, more people should.

 

[alawlor66430]

*rehoming

 

[cwiseman77]

Any dog will be a good companion so I suppose it'll come down to personal choice, i personally love terriers, a wee jack or patterdale or staffie, they've got so much character and from experience a staffie will be your best friend forever, I sure miss my old staffie :-( such loyal and loving dogs, but unfortunately they are misunderstood, not the bad ass dogs that your local neds make them look like. And retiming centres are full of them, poor wee dogs that didn't have a chance early in life. Good on yi for for wanting to adopt one by the way, more people should.

Been looking at Staffies actually. Was just reading up on the misconceptions perpetuated about them. Experts agree they can be the perfect family dog!

 

[cwiseman77]

Here's the girl I think I might go see on Monday

http://www.scottishspca.org/rehoming/animal/11391_trixie

 

[alawlor66430]

Aww excellent mate, probably the best dog you'll get, in my opinion anyway, my Luca used to walk at the heel everywhere and was just so chilled out and loved cuddles good choice mate

 

[cwiseman77]

Aww excellent mate, probably the best dog you'll get, in my opinion anyway, my Luca used to walk at the heel everywhere and was just so chilled out and loved cuddles good choice mate

Aye, seriously considering. SWMBO has agreed, landlord has agreed.
Going to Cuba for 2 weeks in July so might wait until after, dont want to be unsettling a a wee dog in a new home after only a few weeks

 

[alawlor66430]

Aye probably best mate, good luck to you's though!!

 

Here's the girl I think I might go see on Monday

http://www.scottishspca.org/rehoming/animal/11391_trixie

my self iv got a jack russell bitch she is so loving and loves to be with me all the time ...
i wouldnt be without her shes great ...

but a lot of jacks bark when your not around as they tend to not cope on there own..

i think you would be better off going with your choice of dog plus she looks lush .. .

i no your going on holiday but can you get her first and ask them to look after her when your away ...

i wouldnt like to think you would miss out on getting her ...

just a thought ... :hmm: .


ps good luck.... :thumb:

regards mick... :hat: .

 

[alanywiseman.]

I would say go for it. We have had Igor for 2 years and now can't remember what life was like without him.

My advice would be to firstly get some books and read up on training. We uses Ceasar Milan book, he may seem be a bit weird to some but his principles fit very nicely with us. He has a show called 'The Dog Whisperer' which is worth a look to see what he is about.

Secondly I would crate train any dog I got. It has meant that if he does need to be by himself them he feels safe and secure. Would definitely recommend crate training.

Good luck with it.

 

[alawlor66430]

Here's the girl I think I might go see on Monday

http://www.scottishspca.org/rehoming/animal/11391_trixie

my self iv got a jack russell bitch she is so loving and loves to be with me all the time ...
i wouldnt be without her shes great ...

but a lot of jacks bark when your not around as they tend to not cope on there own..

i think you would be better off going with your choice of dog plus she looks lush .. .

i no your going on holiday but can you get her first and ask them to look after her when your away ...

i wouldnt like to think you would miss out on getting her ...

just a thought ... :hmm: .


ps good luck.... :thumb:

regards mick... :hat: .

Your wee dogs cool as feck mick, canny beat a terrier!!

 

[Pearlfisher]

Introduce your Dad's Cocker at the first opportunity to make sure they get along.

 

[Jeltz]

Just putting a word in for Labrador Retrievers, probably too big for a flat but I just wanted to post a pic of Rosie my Chocolate Lab.

Its such a shame that the neds have created such a bad image for Staffies (and other Bull breeds, Rotties etc) the problem it leads to is that lots of people are very scared and will stay out of the way of people walking them.

I am also wary when out walking Rosie as several people locally have aggressive/badly trained dogs. There is one chap who walks a Mastiff, Boxer and Staffie and if they see another dog they go for it and he can barely hold them back.

Whatever dog you get, he will enrich your life! No matter how mardy the family are (and they often are) Rosie is always pleased to see me.

 

[hairybiker]

I had a rehomed dog for 12 years, he was a Rough Collie/Alsation cross, lots of enenery and very loving to kids, but very agressive to other dogs (to start with anyway) which I put down to having been in the rehoming for so long.
I now have a lab, who is as daft as a brush and coming up for 7 yo. I personally woudn't bee with out a dog.

 

Here's the girl I think I might go see on Monday

http://www.scottishspca.org/rehoming/animal/11391_trixie

my self iv got a jack russell bitch she is so loving and loves to be with me all the time ...
i wouldnt be without her shes great ...

but a lot of jacks bark when your not around as they tend to not cope on there own..

i think you would be better off going with your choice of dog plus she looks lush .. .

i no your going on holiday but can you get her first and ask them to look after her when your away ...

i wouldnt like to think you would miss out on getting her ...

just a thought ... :hmm: .


ps good luck.... :thumb:

regards mick... :hat: .

Your wee dogs cool as feck mick, canny beat a terrier!!

thanks adam i think so ... :thumb: .

regards mick... :hat: .

 

[cwiseman77]

Going to go have a chat and look round the local SPCA rehoming center. Don't want to commit until I have been on holiday but figure it will be good to go in a few times and chat to the staff and seethe dogs etc..

 

[alanywiseman.]

I think that is a wish idea Colin.

The image of a breed is down to the owners that have then. The tw*ts with the staffies or rotties that get them for the 'don't **** with me image' are the reason the pits are banned in this country.

A dog had beef breed for a purpose and some need to be stubborn and not give up. If a rottie is herding cattle and gets kicked it can't just run!!! It needs to take it and keep working. I get pissed off with the idea people have of a breed of dog.

Having a dog, as said earlier, I have adopted a approach that is about acting how a dog behaves (not getting on all fours) but if a dog goes for my dog on a walk I will 'go for it'. Taking a firm 'don't **** with me step towards it' will make it back off. It will bark but stand your ground and you will win. It not only deal with that dog but shows your dog that you are the boss and it does not need to go for dogs to protect you.

Rant over!