ATOT - what do I need to know about owning a dog?

[Fenixgoon]

I enjoy pets, and admittedly I'm a dog guy more than I am a cat guy. I've taken care of a neighbor's dog for a week and it was pretty fun getting outside.

I've always wanted a great dane for various reasons (among them, I grew up in PA and the great dane is the PA state dog). Yes, I know they're big and will eat a lot. And they have short lives, and can have joint problems later in life BUt they're very friendly and they don't need to be run down every night like a JRT or something like that.

There's a local shelter that has the *exact* dog I'd want - including his name! And it's just like, damn, it would be perfect. I'm going down to see him tomorrow just because I don't have anything else going on.

FWIW - single engineer, work 9-5, only person in my house (renting). so the only thing would be whether my landlord allows pets or not.

 

[lxskllr]

My ex inlaws had Great Danes. God I hated those things. Huge wastes of space. They can't even eat properly. Of course I don't like dogs in general. I'd suggest another cat.

 

[highland145]

equivalent to boats but they crap all over the yard

 

[zerocool84]

I enjoy pets, and admittedly I'm a dog guy more than I am a cat guy. I've taken care of a neighbor's dog for a week and it was pretty fun getting outside.

I've always wanted a great dane for various reasons (among them, I grew up in PA and the great dane is the PA state dog). Yes, I know they're big and will eat a lot. And they have short lives, and can have joint problems later in life BUt they're very friendly and they don't need to be run down every night like a JRT or something like that.

There's a local shelter that has the *exact* dog I'd want - including his name! And it's just like, damn, it would be perfect. I'm going down to see him tomorrow just because I don't have anything else going on.

FWIW - single engineer, work 9-5, only person in my house (renting). so the only thing would be whether my landlord allows pets or not.

To me, I don't think it's fair to the dog when it'll be alone by itself all day while you're at work with no one to take care of it or at least visit it during the day. My advice, don't get a dog.

 

[highland145]

Kind of like kids...love em, feed em sugar, send em home.

 

[highland145]

Kind of like a new car....awesome until the payment book comes in.


editayment books are old school so ...until the new smell wears off. But then there's a new smell..."dafuq is that" kind of smell.

 

[IronWing]

FWIW - single engineer, work 9-5, only person in my house (renting).

Will you be able to spend enough time with the dog to provide it a good life?

 

[highland145]

Kind of like a promising geode...with an empty air pocket.


edit:

Dogs are wonderful creatures

from Platy and QFT

 

[Platypus]

Are you able to make it home for lunch to take the dog outside?

Being gone 9-5 is a bit rough but it's not that horrible if you don't have a long commute. Luckily my husband and I work slightly staggered such that our dog is only alone for 6 hours. It all depends on the situation but I wouldn't tell you not to get a dog with this kind of restriction... just be honest with yourself if you can provide it a good life or not. Depending on the scenario anything is likely better than being put down by a shelter or locked up in a cage all day..

I would budget money for vet visits, checkups, medications, toys, food, etc. Be realistic about the costs of things. Look up the prices of things to get a general idea of the basic costs. Out of curiosity, what would you say you think ballpark it would cost you per year?

Is the dog younger? Make sure you have things for it to chew on while teething so that it doesn't end up being random things inside your house.

Most landlords in my experience put restrictions on weight for having dogs, so keep that in mind. It's hard to get them to allow larger dogs.. but I've been able to negotiate it with previous landlords to have larger animals.

Dogs are wonderful creatures, I hope you end up with one.

 

[Platypus]

ps, Porter says hello
https://www.flickr.com/photos/94790950@N08/25263580181/

 

[highland145]

Happy dog is happy.

 

[SSSnail]

You need to know how to pick up after your dog. As responsible dog owner, that's the first thing you learn. Whenever and wherever your dog poops, pick that shit up. Unless it's your lawn, driveway, or living room, then it's ok if you don't bother with the shit.

Other than that, have fun with it.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Are you able to make it home for lunch to take the dog outside?

Being gone 9-5 is a bit rough but it's not that horrible if you don't have a long commute. Luckily my husband and I work slightly staggered such that our dog is only alone for 6 hours. It all depends on the situation but I wouldn't tell you not to get a dog with this kind of restriction... just be honest with yourself if you can provide it a good life or not. Depending on the scenario anything is likely better than being put down by a shelter or locked up in a cage all day..

I would budget money for vet visits, checkups, medications, toys, food, etc. Be realistic about the costs of things. Look up the prices of things to get a general idea of the basic costs. Out of curiosity, what would you say you think ballpark it would cost you per year?

Is the dog younger? Make sure you have things for it to chew on while teething so that it doesn't end up being random things inside your house.

Most landlords in my experience put restrictions on weight for having dogs, so keep that in mind. It's hard to get them to allow larger dogs.. but I've been able to negotiate it with previous landlords to have larger animals.

Dogs are wonderful creatures, I hope you end up with one.

luckily my job is flexible enough (and close enough) that i would be able to make it home for lunch i'm only 15 minutes away in no traffic and 30 minutes away in bad traffic.

i'm guessing between food and standard checkups, a pet is on the order of 2-3k per year (not including one time costs or emergency costs).

You need to know how to pick up after your dog. As responsible dog owner, that's the first thing you learn. Whenever and wherever your dog poops, pick that shit up. Unless it's your lawn, driveway, or living room, then it's ok if you don't bother with the shit.

Other than that, have fun with it.

i have no problem picking up dog poop. keeps things nice!

 

[bbhaag]

Buy a better vacuum and don't let your dog on the furniture. It may seem cruel at first but you'll thank me when that fuckers 115 pounds.

 

[Platypus]

luckily my job is flexible enough (and close enough) that i would be able to make it home for lunch i'm only 15 minutes away in no traffic and 30 minutes away in bad traffic.

i'm guessing between food and standard checkups, a pet is on the order of 2-3k per year (not including one time costs or emergency costs).

Sounds like you're good to go to me

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Very few things could make your life better. They will love you unconditionally.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Buy a better vacuum and don't let your dog on the furniture. It may seem cruel at first but you'll thank me when that fuckers 115 pounds.

the dog i want is 2 years old and 125 lbs

 

[96Firebird]

I would also suggest going home on lunch, at least for the first few weeks, to see how the dog is adjusting. My dog is home from 6:30am - 5pm right now, and he doesn't even get up and go outside in the morning. So essentially he is holding it from 10pm to 5pm each day, and has no problems with that. I know not all dogs are like that, but you might get lucky...

I don't think dogs mind being alone for hours on end, allows them to catch up on sleep.

Be ready for daily walks.

 

[Fenixgoon]

update:

working with a rescue to foster and potentially adopt a male blue great dane. he's older (6 yrs, which is coming up on the avg lifespan of a dane ) but he's 170lbs of fluffy love, and this guy looks like a total goofball. can't wait to meet him this weekend!

 

[Carson Dyle]

I enjoy pets, and admittedly I'm a dog guy more than I am a cat guy. I've taken care of a neighbor's dog for a week and it was pretty fun getting outside.

Sad. You don't need a dog to take a couple of 10 to 15 minute walks "outside". If one of the reasons you're getting a dog is to force yourself to leave the house each day, you probably have some personal issues you need to work out.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Sad. You don't need a dog to take a couple of 10 to 15 minute walks "outside". If one of the reasons you're getting a dog is to force yourself to leave the house each day, you probably have some personal issues you need to work out.

i'm not a fatty, but i am out of shape. 5' 9", 165lbs. what's so wrong with having a companion? i'm so used to doing so many things by myself. that's what was nice about it. and it's much easier to say - go for a run or whatever - when you do have a companion.

and plenty of my other hobbies involve being outside - motorcycling, target shooting, and soccer.

 

[IronWing]

update:

working with a rescue to foster and potentially adopt a male blue great dane. he's older (6 yrs, which is coming up on the avg lifespan of a dane ) but he's 170lbs of fluffy love, and this guy looks like a total goofball. can't wait to meet him this weekend!

He's cute!

 

[Red Squirrel]

They are more social than cats, and want more attention and require more work (walks, have to bring them out to poop etc). But they also come to you when you call them. I personally would not get a dog myself as I work 12 hour shifts, that's just long to leave a dog alone not to mention the damage it might do due to being stressed out. I feel dogs are more of a pet for people who don't have to work all day, but clearly a lot of people who do work have dogs, so it's doable. Can always look at getting two then they can keep each other company.

 

[Capt Caveman]

update:

working with a rescue to foster and potentially adopt a male blue great dane. he's older (6 yrs, which is coming up on the avg lifespan of a dane ) but he's 170lbs of fluffy love, and this guy looks like a total goofball. can't wait to meet him this weekend!

Cool, let us know how it goes!

 

[Capt Caveman]

Sad. You don't need a dog to take a couple of 10 to 15 minute walks "outside". If one of the reasons you're getting a dog is to force yourself to leave the house each day, you probably have some personal issues you need to work out.

Coming from someone that has to count their calories, hilarious!