Thinking about getting a pet...not sure if it's a good idea...

[onza]

I'll chime in.

My gf and I own a standard poodle (63lbs)

Initial cost to buy a dog = 300-2000
Pet gear (one time cost) = 500-1000
Food = 50-100 per month
Vet visits = 200-300 per year
Pet insurance = 30.00 per month (yes we buy insurance, our dog is pretty active)

Costs aside, they are worse than a kid, they are helpless but very loyal creatures. Would i own another dog? HELL YES.

 

[JManInPhoenix]

PUPPY!!!

Nice looking pup!

 

[blackdogdeek]

I'll chime in.

My gf and I own a standard poodle (63lbs)

Initial cost to buy a dog = 300-2000
Pet gear (one time cost) = 500-1000
Food = 50-100 per month
Vet visits = 200-300 per year
Pet insurance = 30.00 per month (yes we buy insurance, our dog is pretty active)

Costs aside, they are worse than a kid, they are helpless but very loyal creatures. Would i own another dog? HELL YES.

Worse than a kid? I guess you meant because they are so dependent on us. However, in terms of affection they are much more demonstrative, imho.

Here's what happens when I get home from work:

wife: hey
child1: hey
child2: hey
dog: ZOMG! IT'S YOU! YOU CAME BACK! YOU WON'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH I MISSED YOU! LOOK! I WENT AND GOT MY BLUE BOUNCY BALL! LET'S GO OUTSIDE AND DO THAT THING WHERE YOU THROW THE BALL AND I RUN AFTER IT!

 

[Capt Caveman]

Hongarian Shepherd

I'd like a quiet dog that don't yap indefinetely at people and is calm and affectuous. It'd also be a nice way to get out a bit more and enjoy a walk with it.

I'd like to gather tips and insights from you dog owners, how hard is it to train it, what expenses should I look for. I'm also looking for a dog that doesn't mind being alone and won't shit all over the place since i'm working from 8 to 5 all week and I'll be alone 2 weekends a month...

Thanks!

That's a Hungarian Pointer - aka Viszla

The dog that is not quiet but high energy and needs to run/fetch/etc. And based on your situation, no don't get a dog.

 

[amdhunter]

Get a cat, they are easier to dump onto the street than a dog would if you decide not to keep it.

Cats are good at living outdoors. Dogs get hit by cars and die. :awe:

























or get a fish.

 

[HeXen]

Get a young cat and a cardboard box. Sit on couch and watch as the cat will entertain you.

 

[Gooberlx2]

If OP is set on getting a pet, getting two cats would be fine. Litter mates will love on and entertain each other plenty while you're gone, and two cats is really no harder to care for than one.

Clean the litter and set out enough food and water for the weekends you're gone, and they'll be fine when you get back.

 

[Rhezuss]

Well i'll forget the dog for now lol, looks like the worst idea for my situation.
Fish sounds like the perfect pet for me lol...

Cats, i'll have to think about it a bit more...sounds fun and all but still not sure about it.

 

[HeXen]

Aquarium hobbies can be addicting and from there it gets really expensive. When I was younger I started out with a 10 gallon, then later a 20 g...etc. Next thing I knew I was buying expensive stuff, from quiet air pumps to silk plants and special lighting. I finally gave it up right as I was considering going Salt water marine which would have been ridiculous in prices and time spent but decorations alone can be addicting.
If you go to various aquarium forums out there, it's amazing what some will invest in them.

 

[nageov3t]

If OP is set on getting a pet, getting two cats would be fine. Litter mates will love on and entertain each other plenty while you're gone, and two cats is really no harder to care for than one.

Clean the litter and set out enough food and water for the weekends you're gone, and they'll be fine when you get back.

two cats are a good option... I don't feel bad about leaving mine alone for a couple days since they've got eachother to play with and keep entertained.

if we're going out of town for a weekend, we just leave them plenty of food/water and put down a couple door-stoppers/heavy books so that they don't end up trapped in a room.

longer than a weekend and I'll give a friend/family member a couple bucks to come over every 2-3 days, so they can fill the food/water bowls and clean out the litter boxes (ordinarily only have the one, but I'll put out 2 if we're going to be gone long)

 

[Paladin3]

You weren't real clear in your OP, but if you are completely gone from the home Friday through Sunday night, you might just want to forgo any pets.

If not, go to a local shelter and get adult two cats. Look for an pair that may already be bonded, or at least two who seem to get along well. If the cats will be indoor only then get two that are used to that lifestyle. Nothing is worse that an outdoor cat being locked inside.

Two cats can play together when you are not home and that will take some pressure off of you. Well mannered adult cats shouldn't destroy your home or crap outside of their box as long as it's kept clean. Give them a cat condo or scratching post and lots of toys. Make sure they have something to climb on so they have space to get away when they want to.

Cats come with varied attitudes as far as independence, playfulness and human dependence. Spend some time with the cats before adoption and talk to the shelter workers to get cats that will be a good match for you. You want friendly cats who will provide companionship, but who aren't so needy that they can't handle you being gone for a bit.

If you decide on rats, as one person said, they need to be purchased at least in pairs so they can keep each other happy, plus they will need to be let out of their cage for exercise daily. Three days in the cage is a long time for rats unless they have a huge cage. Rats are extremely social animals and act almost like small dogs if handled when young. Making them spend most of their lives in a cage is cruel.

Consider any pet you get a companion you will have for their entire life, and that relationship will take work on your part. Pets are not on-demand companionship that can be turned off when you have other things to do. Sounds like you are going in to this with a good attitude, so kudos to you. Good luck.

 

[Midwayman]

Dogs aren't good for someone living alone and who works full time imho. There is no way to really give them the attention they need. Better off with a less dependant pet, or wait until you have another person living in your home who can be there as well.

 

[shortylickens]

Nice looking pup!

ITS NOT MINE!!!

 

[BurnItDwn]

yea, if you and your SO live together, and are planning to live together for the next 15+ years, and one of you is not lazy, and there's somebody home most hours of the day, then it's a good time to think about a dog. Until then, you can think about a cat if you want a pet, but, maybe you're not ready for any?

 

[tynopik]

do you have a fenced yard?