First time dog owner

[kalster]

I am looking to get a dog, I will have a pet for the first time. What all things do I need to keep in mind, I am thinking of adopting one from the local dog shelter. I am looking to get a small sized dog (not sure what kind exactly)

I live in an apartment (first floor), dont have kids (dont plan to have for 3-4 years).

 

[faenix]

Patience and love.

 

[minendo]

Make sure your leasing management will allow you have a dog. Double check on any additional pet rent they will charge. Also, be sure that you can financially afford it. Dogs can get expensive fast.

 

[OrByte]

crate train.

 

[So]

Cats or rodents may be easier first pets. No need to potty train them.

Then, if you really want a dog, get one when you're confident you're ready.

 

[slatr]

Grown rescue dog.. not shelter if you can help it, but rescue.

Preferably a dog that is already housetrained and spayed/neutered

petfinder.com is a decent search area

 

[imported_LoKe]

Get a Basenji if you can. That dog loves like no other and is around 50 pounds. Here's mine : Text.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: OrByte
crate train.

..best method. satisfies a dog's natural instinct to "den" and gives them their personal space. Don't buy into new age "free range" crapola.

 

[slatr]

Get a Basenji if you can. That dog loves like no other and is around 50 pounds. Here's mine : Text.

******

Yes, corgi, basenji, schipperke are some breeds that come to mind..

You are going to have to walk just about anything you get though. There are a few "lazy" breeds, but they tend to have health problems for various reasons.

 

[NaOH]

Get a hamster like me. Sleeps in the day while im at work and plays at night =)

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: IGBT

Originally posted by: OrByte
crate train.

..best method. satisfies a dog's natural instinct to "den" and gives them their personal space. Don't buy into new age "free range" crapola.

Definitely crate the dog. 1st, though...check with your property mgr and verify any add'l fees, weight limits, etc.

The pound is good, but not always the answer. My wife and I got a beagle puppy and it was biting everyone. It was a stray, so the freedom it had before being picked up made it difficult to handle. He chewed a complete hole through an airline approved crate, bit the kids and eventually everyone in the family. The day he went back to the pound, he jumped up and knocked my son's cereal out of his hands, then started lickin it up. Whie my son cried, I went to get the dog to put him in the crate. The dog went to the corner of the room, arched his back and began SNARLING at me. WRONG MOVE.

I got bit a few times, but we got the dog back in the crate. he went back to the shelter as a "bite case" and AFAIK, he was eventually put down. My wallet, however, remained adoption fees lighter.

We bought a dog from a mom & dad style pet shop a few months ago. I asked about their suppliers and it seemd okay. Overall, he's been relatively great.

 

[kalster]

bump for more opinions

 

[Codewiz]

I would recommend just watching the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. You need to understand the basic dog mentality. They are a pet, don't treat a dog like a child. It is a dog and should be treated like a dog so that it doesn't become psychotic. This is especially true if you get a dog from the pound. You need to establish yourself as the pack leader. Walking the dog is an easy way to accomplish this. Do not allow the dog to walk in front of you. Always make the dog walk exactly beside you or behind you.

Execise, Discipline, then Affection. In that order and you will have a well adjusted dog.

I believe in basically two different mindsets depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Cesar Millan's methods which help with behavioral issues in a humane way and I like Koehler Method of Dog Training. Koehler is more old school and recommends to some things that I don't agree with but for teaching a dog how to heel, sit, stay, and come. It is great.

 

[GasX]

The Dog Whisperer has improved my dogs' behavior immensely.

 

[Patt]

Get something to match your lifestyle ... a border collie will always want to be exercising, whereas some other breeds will be less active. Do some research, then check out the rescue societies and shelters. :thumbsup:

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
The Dog Whisperer has improved my dogs' behavior immensely.

The biggest thing I have learned personally was that I was encouraging an excited mind in my dog. I would come home from work and my dog would be super happy to see me which is understandable. However by giving her attention at this point, it encouraged her to always be excitable around new people and when she wanted attention.

All I did was simply change when I provided affection. I will only give affection when she is in a calm submissive state. It takes her all of a minute of two now to calm down once I get home from work. It has helped immensely when introducing her to new people. She used to be a complete spaz but now she knows that in order to get affection she has to be calm.

This has been especially important for me since I own an American Bulldog/Boston Terrier mix. Too many people see her and are intimidated when she is as nice as could be. I used to worry about her accidentally tackling little children in her excitement over getting attention. She just loves people and wants to meet everyone she can. Now I have no worries because I know she will either be in a sit position or in a down position in order to get attention.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

Originally posted by: Mwilding
The Dog Whisperer has improved my dogs' behavior immensely.

The biggest thing I have learned personally was that I was encouraging an excited mind in my dog. I would come home from work and my dog would be super happy to see me which is understandable. However by giving her attention at this point, it encouraged her to always be excitable around new people and when she wanted attention.

All I did was simply change when I provided affection. I will only give affection when she is in a calm submissive state. It takes her all of a minute of two now to calm down once I get home from work. It has helped immensely when introducing her to new people. She used to be a complete spaz but now she knows that in order to get affection she has to be calm.

This has been especially important for me since I own an American Bulldog/Boston Terrier mix. Too many people see her and are intimidated when she is as nice as could be. I used to worry about her accidentally tackling little children in her excitement over getting attention. She just loves people and wants to meet everyone she can. Now I have no worries because I know she will either be in a sit position or in a down position in order to get attention.

I had the same experience with my dogs - especially the pit bull mix. Now I have to keep at it so I can stop her from scaring people walking by the fence line.

 

[DnetMHZ]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Get a Basenji if you can. That dog loves like no other and is around 50 pounds. Here's mine : Text.

Cool dog.

 

[fLum0x]

Originally posted by: minendo
Make sure your leasing management will allow you have a dog. Double check on any additional pet rent they will charge. Also, be sure that you can financially afford it. Dogs can get expensive fast.

how expensive? what is the initial fee? (yes i know this can go up, but what is a ballpark figure?)

and how often do you have to take dogs to the vet and so forth for shots and such?

also, how much is food/month for a medium to large sized dog?

 

[GasX]

Adoption fees range from $50 to $250 and may or may not include spaying/neutering.

Dogs go to the vet when they are sick and typically once or twice a year for shots. Figure $100-$300 per visit.

I pay about $35 for a 40lb bag of Nutro That should last a month for a small dog.

don't forget the crate, dog bed, toys, treats, books, videos, leash, collar, etc...

Dogs aren't a HUGE expense, but they are a regular suck on your wallet.

 

[kalster]

bump, how hard/easy are small dogs to train, loking at some Chihuahuas, poodle and other small breeds, given I live in an apartment complex

 

[JDrake]

Originally posted by: kalster
bump, how hard/easy are small dogs to train, loking at some Chihuahuas, poodle and other small breeds, given I live in an apartment complex

Not very hard to train dogs

 

[TheNinja]

Get a maltese. They are very calm dogs. They don't shed. They are small (maybe 3-6 pounds). They are very friendly.

 

[ProAm500]

wow, funny, i did a google search on first time dog owners as im looking for a dog and found this thread on anandtech of all places....anyway im looking to get my first dog too, and was thinking something medium size, and doesnt shed....any other suggestions?

 

[MrsBugi]

1. Register your dog.
2. Microchip your dog.
3. Have your dog spayed/neutered.
4. Train early, and be consistent!

My husband and I have a chihuahua/shih-tzu mix. Boba has a sweet and friendly disposition, does not shed, rarely barks, and is now 4 months old.

He responds to his name, and understands the commands sit, stay, down, and up.