PacificOcean
Unhinged User
trashpony said:There is a 'bring dogs to work' campaign though - perhaps you could spearhead it where you work?
Are there any breeds which are better at typing than others?
Getting Dogs
- Thread starter PacificOcean
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Are there any breeds which are better at typing than others?
Heh!PacificOcean said:
BTW - GET HALF A DOZEN BOOKS ON TRAINING GREYHOUNDS!!!
Books on dog psychology and training and stuff are really kewl
. Once you get into it and it "clicks", you'll love it. You'll be able to answer your own questions and then learn as you go.For every breed, type, hybrid and mix, there are probably at least a half dozen books specifically on them, many more for popular breeds.
Do your research properly first. Spend six months or more reading everything you can get your hands on and talking to experienced owners/trainers/keepers who are up-to-date with the latest knowledge, science and training philosophies. Hang out with other peeps with dogs. Go to gatherings of dogs. Hang out at rescue homes cleaning out kennels and wotnot, talk to the peeps there.
Spend another six months deepening your research and knowledge into those areas, breeds, etc. that interest you most.
THEN get out there and find yerself an appropriate (older) rescue dog.
Yer first dog is always a special one.
Take your time.
Think carefully.
Enjoy.
Woof
PacificOcean said:
What is the purpose of a dog as a pet (as opposed to a working dog such as a sheepdog, police/rescue dog, sensory enhancement dog or gundog).
it's only purpose is to act as an emotional prop for its owner therefore it's just a waste of resources (all that tinned whale lung - or whatever it is -freighted around the globe).
PacificOcean
Unhinged User
Cobbles said:
Dogs have been human companions for thousands of years. I don't see your point?
subversplat
writer of wrongs
Yeah! What's the purpose of anything!? Friends? Pah! Waste of resources!Cobbles said:
There's nothing wrong with having the odd emotional crutch. Especially if it's one rescued from a doggie shelter, so a kennel is freed up to rescue another dog. And dogs can survive quite well on vegetarian diets
Yuwipi Woman
Whack-A-Mole Queen
PacificOcean said:
His point is that he's a souless fiend intent on sucking your soul dry to satisfy his own need for an emotional crutch.
Yuwipi Woman
Whack-A-Mole Queen
I've had the same dilemma in getting a dog. I own a home, but I work ungodly hours. I'm thinking that cutting back on work a bit, running home at lunch, getting a pet flap and taking the dog with me whenever possible will work.
Friends of mine make it work by having two people in the house. One works 6 am to to 3 pm. The other works 9 to 5 and runs home over lunch.
There are ways to make it work, but you have to make sacrifices of what you want for the wellbeing of a pet.
Friends of mine make it work by having two people in the house. One works 6 am to to 3 pm. The other works 9 to 5 and runs home over lunch.
There are ways to make it work, but you have to make sacrifices of what you want for the wellbeing of a pet.
Pingu
Credo
subversplat said:You know the irony is that the OP could probably quite easily get a dog from a rescue centre whereas someone like myself, a mostly-unemployed layabout that spends most of their time lazing around in fields with lots of other people and dogs would be turned away without fail
what makes you think that?
by leaving the dog for 11 hours a day 90% of rescues would not rehome there. its not about money its about providing a suitable home for that particular dog
a retired grey btw is a really good idea.
to see how it works out speak to a center about fostering one for a few weeks so you can see how things develop
We were like you and really really wanted a dog.. We live in a flat in London although soon to be moving to a nice big house...
We got one but only after Oic's boss agreed that he could take it in every day.. I would never leave her alone for one day let alone everyday..
I'm sure you would really love the dog but that amount of time is too much every day
We got one but only after Oic's boss agreed that he could take it in every day.. I would never leave her alone for one day let alone everyday..
I'm sure you would really love the dog but that amount of time is too much every day
Listen when i got my dog I had to work part time for five months until I had acclimatised her to me being away for hours at a time
The first six to 12 months are crucial to the dogs development and wellbeing
You cannot get a dog if you are away for 11 hours a day if they are a puppy
it is like having a baby... You need to be there
Now I can leave my 2 year old dog at home albeit with bones and other things strewn around to keep her from chewing my stuff but I wouldnt have done it if I had been in a stable job at the time because I wouldnt have had the time.
Having two puppies at the same time is asking for big trouble Really big trouble because they will ignore you except for food dishing out.
You won't be able to train them at all if you get two puppies at the same time
The first six to 12 months are crucial to the dogs development and wellbeing
You cannot get a dog if you are away for 11 hours a day if they are a puppy
it is like having a baby... You need to be there
Now I can leave my 2 year old dog at home albeit with bones and other things strewn around to keep her from chewing my stuff but I wouldnt have done it if I had been in a stable job at the time because I wouldnt have had the time.
Having two puppies at the same time is asking for big trouble Really big trouble because they will ignore you except for food dishing out.
You won't be able to train them at all if you get two puppies at the same time
subversplat
writer of wrongs
I live out of the back of a vanPingu said:
Always seems to make the rehoming centres go 
"Get away you filthy gypsy!" 
scumbalina
Scummy Mummy
Could you ask a friend/neighbour to walk them once during the day? Or maybe advertise for a cash in hand dog walker locally (before getting a dog). My boyfriend used to do that when he was out of work, he saw a local advert and used to pop round the corner everyday for 20mins, just to let the blokes dogs have a chance to do their bussiness. they were old greyhounds, and did seem preety cool about chilling on their own. I'm not sure if it was for that long though....I've got 2 beasties, a lurcher and a whippet/lurcher, both quite old, and it has to be a pretty big deal for me to leave them alone for more than 6/7 hours at a time. And even if I did that, with someone walking them, I wouldn't want it to be a regular thing - not just cos of the exercise/loo issue, but cos I know how lonely they'd be. No matter how many toys/treats etc you leave them, their whole day will probably be focussed on waiting for you to come home - you'll be their "pack leader", they'll want to be with you all the time. I dunno about other dogs, but if I leave the room my boys follow me . It seems a bit unfair to deprive them of you all day.
On the other hand, if you're thinking of getting a rescue greyhound, they've probably gonna have had a pretty loveless life, so I'm sure they'll relish all the love you've got to offer them, and be much happier with you than they are in a kennel
. It seems a bit unfair to deprive them of you all day. On the other hand, if you're thinking of getting a rescue greyhound, they've probably gonna have had a pretty loveless life, so I'm sure they'll relish all the love you've got to offer them, and be much happier with you than they are in a kennel
hiya
i'm in a new job this week so i cant spend long on urban & dont have time to read the whole thread..but just thought i'd give you a few words of my experience...
i work full time office hours & my boyfriend works for himself. I wasn't ready for a dog 4 years ago but when he arrived home with a gorgeous little staffie pup from a rescue centre, i fell in love - she was 8 months old at the time & spent most of her life living with 8 - 10 other dogs. we both took some time off work to be with her & when he went back to work, because he works for himself he'd pop home regulary to check on her. things were really pear-shaped for a while - she had really bad seperation anxiety - basically if we left the house for a minute she thought we'd abandoned her forever - just life all her previous owners (she'd had 3 before the rescue home - how cruel!)
It took a year of patience, perseverence, training, putting up with pee & poo in the house, chewed furniture (staffies are v.persistent and have strong teeth) and MOST of all - sacrifice - to make things better. We both sacrificed pints after work etc etc - just to make sure we got home ASAP & left her alone for the minimum amount of time. We tried to make sure our working hours meant she was only alone for an average of 5 - 6 hours. Eventually it did work, she realised we're never going to leave her forever and she is the most loyal little baby in the world - nearly 5 years old now.
SO after all that, when my bf heard there was a boy staffie in the pound who was gonna be destroyed if he wasnt rescued within a few days - and he wanted to rescue him, I said absolutely NO way - after years of training with Sasha how could we start all over again? But the softie in me won the battle and we got Dozer - a complete bulldozer of a brattish boy dog - last October - and now I know now, that was the trick. Any bare hint of anxiety is 100% gone from Sasha - Dozer never suffered from it - they are the best of friends, love each other's company - they're like brother & sister (spayed so there's no funny stuff ) They're happy inside, or in the garden - weather depending (I know they're dogs but I hate leaving them out in the cold or the rain - they're too used to sitting in front of the open fire!) Give me an empty plastic bottle and they'll fight & chew away for hours - as content as only a happy dog can be!
however - i dont advise 2 dogs starting off, but i would say to go for it...you sound like you will be a very loving human for a dog who needs one . just be prepared to make sacrifices...when you get home from work and you 're really tired and just wanna flake out on the couch - you can't, you need to get that dog to the park! And i promise you - no matter how tired you are, you'll always be glad you did - just to see how much they absolutley love it, you'll have great fun, company, unconditional love...can't beat it
i'm in a new job this week so i cant spend long on urban & dont have time to read the whole thread..but just thought i'd give you a few words of my experience...
i work full time office hours & my boyfriend works for himself. I wasn't ready for a dog 4 years ago but when he arrived home with a gorgeous little staffie pup from a rescue centre, i fell in love - she was 8 months old at the time & spent most of her life living with 8 - 10 other dogs. we both took some time off work to be with her & when he went back to work, because he works for himself he'd pop home regulary to check on her. things were really pear-shaped for a while - she had really bad seperation anxiety - basically if we left the house for a minute she thought we'd abandoned her forever - just life all her previous owners (she'd had 3 before the rescue home - how cruel!)
It took a year of patience, perseverence, training, putting up with pee & poo in the house, chewed furniture (staffies are v.persistent and have strong teeth) and MOST of all - sacrifice - to make things better. We both sacrificed pints after work etc etc - just to make sure we got home ASAP & left her alone for the minimum amount of time. We tried to make sure our working hours meant she was only alone for an average of 5 - 6 hours. Eventually it did work, she realised we're never going to leave her forever and she is the most loyal little baby in the world - nearly 5 years old now.
SO after all that, when my bf heard there was a boy staffie in the pound who was gonna be destroyed if he wasnt rescued within a few days - and he wanted to rescue him, I said absolutely NO way - after years of training with Sasha how could we start all over again? But the softie in me won the battle and we got Dozer - a complete bulldozer of a brattish boy dog - last October - and now I know now, that was the trick. Any bare hint of anxiety is 100% gone from Sasha - Dozer never suffered from it - they are the best of friends, love each other's company - they're like brother & sister (spayed so there's no funny stuff
) They're happy inside, or in the garden - weather depending (I know they're dogs but I hate leaving them out in the cold or the rain - they're too used to sitting in front of the open fire!) Give me an empty plastic bottle and they'll fight & chew away for hours - as content as only a happy dog can be!however - i dont advise 2 dogs starting off, but i would say to go for it...you sound like you will be a very loving human for a dog who needs one . just be prepared to make sacrifices...when you get home from work and you 're really tired and just wanna flake out on the couch - you can't, you need to get that dog to the park! And i promise you - no matter how tired you are, you'll always be glad you did - just to see how much they absolutley love it, you'll have great fun, company, unconditional love...can't beat it
PacificOcean
Unhinged User
Just to update. I went to Battersea yesterday. They said being out all day wouldn't be a problem for some dogs and as they are mostly on their own all day in Battersea anyway they are used to it.
So instead of the puppies, I am going to get a couple of resuce dogs. One of which will be a dog that has been there for over 18 months. He had such a sad look in his eyes that I have to have him and give him a loving home (that's if he is still there in three weeks!)
Thanks for all the advice and I am glad you talked me out of getting puppies. It just wouldn't be fair.
So instead of the puppies, I am going to get a couple of resuce dogs. One of which will be a dog that has been there for over 18 months. He had such a sad look in his eyes that I have to have him and give him a loving home (that's if he is still there in three weeks!)
Thanks for all the advice and I am glad you talked me out of getting puppies. It just wouldn't be fair.
zenie
>^^<
Aww glad to hear Battersea were understanding it about it.
What breed are they or are they Heinz 57's?
I've been away so thought not to bother commenting on this now it's been resolved.
Are you sure that the two you are getting will get on and what sexes are they both?
Hope it all works out for you fingers crossed
What breed are they or are they Heinz 57's?
I've been away so thought not to bother commenting on this now it's been resolved.
Are you sure that the two you are getting will get on and what sexes are they both?
Hope it all works out for you fingers crossed
Hellsbells
World's best procrastinator
PacificOcean said:
Really? Wow, Battersea must have changed alot in the last few years. When I wanted a cat, I was turned away and told it was unacceptable to leave a cat alone while I went to work
PacificOcean
Unhinged User
trashpony said:We want pics
I shall be getting a digital camera especailly for their arrival.
That means you will also get to see my god-like features on the ugly mug thread!
scumbalina
Scummy Mummy
PacificOcean said:
Yay
Bet he can't wait to settle into his lovely new home, poor little mite, 18 months I'd always get rescue dogs now, it's definately the right thing to do - well done for resisiting the urge of puppies!Has he got a name already?
Pacific Ocean, the best dog i had was my lovely 'maddy' about 11-12 yrs old staff, who found me off the street, after trying to trace her owners through the police i decided to keep her. She had a great 3 years of life in our house with us out 10 hours a day, however, she was at an age that she thought Oh Fuck he wants to go for a walk best hide 
In essence try an older rescue dogs & staffs are great company esp. for your first encounter
In essence try an older rescue dogs & staffs are great company esp. for your first encounter
