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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Thinking about getting a dog....
....and I need some help!
I've never really had a dog....my parents got one after we all moved out of the house, so I know that dog...but I never really lived with one.
I have a 3 year old daughter, and a 5 year old cat. They're both really really easy, so I have a feeling I'm going to be in for a shock with a dog, right?
We have a house with a nice size fenced in backyard. And we live in a nice area with lots of other dogs.
I'm thinking a medium sized dog would be best....nothing too small, but nothing too big.
Any suggestions for breeds?
Thanks!
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Posted 7/31/10 11:12 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
iluvmynutty
Mom to E&M
Member since 12/08 1762 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
My suggestion would be to select a dog based on his/her energy level. Consider the general energy level of the breed and the individual dog. Some dogs are very active, requiring lots of physical (walks) and mental exercise while others are more couch potatoes and prefer to lay around. The better you can match your energy level and lifestyle to that of a particular dog the happier everyone will be. Also, puppies are like newborns, really cute, but tons of work! Dogs are puppies until about 2 years old. After 2 years it gets so much easier. Other things to consider are the bigger the dog, the more it sheds, the more it costs to feed him/her and the more the vet bills cost... I'd also suggest doing obedience training with the dog you choose since you would be a 1st time dog owner.
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| Posted 7/31/10 12:09 PM |
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dbleplay17
My 2 boys!
Member since 10/06 4578 total posts
Name:
Chrissy
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
We have a Brittany Spaniel
They are medium sized dogs
I will warn you HIGH energy. DH takes him on 2 walks a day and play frisbee with him to tire him out.
I love him. I grew up with the breed so I got one when I got my own house
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| Posted 7/31/10 9:22 PM |
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MeeshMosh
last month on leave!
Member since 6/08 4551 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
Posted by iluvmynutty
My suggestion would be to select a dog based on his/her energy level. Consider the general energy level of the breed and the individual dog. Some dogs are very active, requiring lots of physical (walks) and mental exercise while others are more couch potatoes and prefer to lay around. The better you can match your energy level and lifestyle to that of a particular dog the happier everyone will be. Also, puppies are like newborns, really cute, but tons of work! Dogs are puppies until about 2 years old. After 2 years it gets so much easier. Other things to consider are the bigger the dog, the more it sheds, the more it costs to feed him/her and the more the vet bills cost... I'd also suggest doing obedience training with the dog you choose since you would be a 1st time dog owner.
ITA with all of this!! very well said! 
we got our dog when he was only 16 weeks old.... IMO there are pros and cons to getting puppies vs getting a dog thats already over a year old
young puppies are A LOT of work... i mean A LOT! be prepared to get up in the middle of the night to let him/her out to pee for the first 2-3 weeks... also depending on what breed you go with, they will chew -- a lot!! that teething phase is no fun....hershey once ate 5 pairs of our shoes in one sitting.... and i still cant have any entrance rugs on the floor of the house 
if you go with a dog that is over a year (in hopes that he/she is already house trained and over the young puppy phase) you deal with not knowing how he previous owners treated him before you got him... i've heard some horror stories!!
all in all i think getting a young puppy is the way to go.... yeah its rough in the beigning b/c oof house training/teething, but you have a kid so you will be somewhat prepared!! lol
i also have a cat.. my cat was 7 when we got my dog & we never had any *serious* issues with them... the cat will smack the dog around for a while... esp since the cat was there first, but now our cat licks our dog to clean him LOL and hasnt swatted at him in a LONG time!!
good luck!
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| Posted 8/1/10 8:07 AM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
I was never a dog owner until I got my puppy (DH has always had a dog). We went to NSAL and got a 10 week old lab pit mix and he has been great. He slept through the night from day one with no overnight accidents.
He house trained within a few weeks and now he is approx 7months and I cant remember my life without him. I just got back from vacation and we missed him so much.
People say labs have lots of energy but Rocky is perfect...plays some sleeps some and LOVES everyone....kids, adults, other animals
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| Posted 8/1/10 12:32 PM |
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mikeswife06
Drama Momma
Member since 9/06 9947 total posts
Name:
Anne
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
French Bulldog!!!!!!!!!
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| Posted 8/1/10 8:49 PM |
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MRnMRSNurse
LIF Adult
Member since 8/09 1318 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
Once we got our dog house broke he was a total joy. He's only 1 yr now. Housebreaking was the biggest (but pretty easy) task. Then we hired a trainer for 5 weeks to teach us how to raise a good dog. She also made a world of difference.
Now that he's housebroke & trained we can't remember life without him. He's a true member of our family & has enriched our lives so much!
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| Posted 8/2/10 11:15 AM |
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
Alot of times rescues will have dogs that are alittle older and already housetrained, as will the shelters! Good luck, and I hope you will consider adoption to give a great doggie a second chance!!! Keep us posted!
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| Posted 8/2/10 1:22 PM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
You might want to start with an adult dog. They are usually housebroken and you know what you are getting already! Even for an experienced dog person, puppies are A LOT of work!
ETA: I have a Jack Russell, she's my first baby and I love her dearly but they are a very high energy breed and not for everyone.
Message edited 8/2/2010 3:43:44 PM.
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| Posted 8/2/10 3:42 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
Dogs are a lot lot lot of work to train. Could take months. And not all dogs will go to the bathroom in the yard. Our dogs only go to the bathroom while on walks, so that's 3 walks sa day. You will be in for a shock as I always had cats and could not believe how exhausting a dog is!! If you are up for that, make sure you research the breed and pick the one you think is right for you.
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| Posted 8/2/10 6:00 PM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
how about a boxer...my dad has had 3 and they are wonderful with kids, don't get too big (maybe 50lbs) 
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| Posted 8/2/10 6:58 PM |
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Wendy
Wheeee!
Member since 5/05 13736 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
I cannot believe you are thinking of getting a dog!! 
Now not only can Ann & Lily have playdates, Maddie too! 
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| Posted 8/3/10 9:45 AM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
One thing to also keep in mind (but you have a cat so I'm sure you already know this) but short haired dogs shed a lot! Just imagine double the amount of fur from you cat and the new pooch. Lots and lots of cleaning!
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| Posted 8/3/10 12:51 PM |
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Faithx2
All good things in 2016!!
Member since 8/05 20181 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
Wheaten Terrier--non shedding medium sized dog that are great with kids.
I have an American Bulldog who I adore and adores my kids but she's a lot of dog
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| Posted 8/4/10 7:49 AM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
Shiba Inu. :) You can meet mine if you like.
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| Posted 8/5/10 9:14 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: Thinking about getting a dog....
Posted by MsMBV
Shiba Inu. :) You can meet mine if you like.
I'm totally trying to convince Tom!!!! I want a Shiba Inu soooo bad!!! Is yours good with the kids? Tom is worried that they're too energetic....
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| Posted 8/5/10 9:58 PM |
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