Choosing the right dog

[ImNotJoel]

Recently my wife, kids, and I moved into a house. The landlord is cool with dogs and we have all wanted one for a while so we started looking. We want a smaller dog it has to be good with kids especially toddlers (we have a two year old).

We tried the animal shelter but it was all pits which are too big for us. Also I am not saying just pits because I have met many pits that are very sweet dogs but when getting any adult dog from a shelter you don't know what they went through and trauma so we consider puppy's since they are a blank canvas but in the same hand training a new dog is hard.

We went to a pet store and met a cockapoo which was a great dog it was playful enough but also a good lap dog very sweet gentle and he played nice with my son and put up with him hugging him. However he cost 1,600 and after moving we are not exactly looking to spend that much money considering all we spent. We almost got the pup because he seemed perfect. If it was 1,000 we would have walked out with the pup.

So feel free to discuss dogs, the right breed for you (this doesn't have to pertain to my situation). Your best method of dog adaption. Do you like rescuing adult dogs, raising the dogs from pups. Just stories about your journey of dog ownership. As I said doesn't have to be advice or about my situation I like hearing other people's stories but if you got it feel free.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Aight... This might apply, might seem off the wall, but here goes anyway .

If you have any belief in a higher power or God, turn it over to the forces that be.

My wife and I wanted 2 kittens, and after a couple of weeks going to shelters and stuff, still couldn't decide or make a comitment. After leaving one such place, my wife started to get upset, so I pulled the car over. I said a thoughtful prayer to my understanding of a higher power, and we decided we'd, "let it go", and head to our favorite restaurant for dinner. For reasons unknown I made a wrong turn as soon as we headed off, and to get back in route we had to go down a block we otherwise wouldn't have. On the corner of that blocks was a bunch of kittens some rescue place was giving away. We smiled and said we had to check it out.

We instantly fell in love with 2 sisters. Kiki and Oha are now going on 2 years as part of our happy family.

Ymmv . Good luck.

 

[blastoff99]

Do not buy a puppy from a pet store! You are probably supporting a puppy mill if you do. I'd recommend going to websites for breed aficionados and finding either a reputable breeder or a rescue organization through them.

Try more shelters, give it some time.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Go pick up a book by Cesar Milan. Seriously. I used to work with a guy who loved his show so I had to watch a lot of it, I actually learned a handful of useful tricks watching the show. I will repeat some of his advice because it is fantastic advice that most people don't take into account when picking a puppy.

Do not pick the dog that comes up to you. Pick the dog that doesn't come to you but also doesn't run away. It will have a more even temper and be much easier to work with.

 

[kesslari]

What blastoff said.
If you decide you fancy a particular breed there are breed-specific rescues in most regions.
Rescue dogs are worth their weight in gold. Truly.

 

[Bassamatic]

I'm a part time dog trainer/behaviorist. Most of the problems I have to "fix" have to do with people choosing a "cute" dog instead of the "right" dog. The dog's breed personality has to match YOUR needs and capabilities. DON'T get an active breed if you aren't going to take them out 2 hours a day!!!! Don't get a quiet breed if you want to play all the time and roughhouse. Don't get a Beagle if you don't want barking.

There are plenty of web sites about dog types vs. personalities from the AKC and ASPCA, etc. Also lots of books. And PLEASE don't BUY a dog! There are countless wonderful animals in shelters waiting for YOUR forever home. What they went through means nothing unless they were traumatized, and you can tell this from a 2 minute walk with them. Dogs live in the NOW, and can change in a heartbeat when with the right people who know how to treat them.

DO buy Cesar's book. It is really important to keep your position as pack leader by ALWAYS being calm and assertive. You and all your family are the Royalty - the dog is always the servant. However, if you are not strong enough, the dog will take the place of the leader and that is when you have real problems and you are going to pay me or someone else some big money to teach you how to be the leader again.

The MOST IMPORTANT THING you do with your dog is THE WALK. This is the only time you really get to bond with your dog 1 on 1 in a dog-like manner and assert your leadership the entire time. Dogs in nature do 5 miles a day - you MUST walk your dog - a lot. It is simply animal cruelty not to and it is good exercise for all. When I say walk, I don't mean sauntering down the sidewalk with you reading your email and the dog stopping at every item to mark on it. I mean a fast, hard walk, You are 100% with your dog, and you stop once in a while and ALLOW them to sniff and pee for a minute or 2. I choose 2 trees per block and talk to the dogs while walking!

Don't feel sorry for a shelter dog. What will make them feel really great is for you to be EXTRA strong and firm. They will relax, because now they have a leader to take care of them. Remember, NICE in dog language means WEAK - too weak to be the leader. This doesn't mean you aren't kind, it means they don't make the decisions - YOU do. You tell them when and where to pee. You go in and out the door FIRST. You make them sit and wait for their food. They don't mind - this is dog pack behavior and you are acting like the leader.

Sorry for the rant, but I am very passionate about this. I think I care about dogs more than people .

PM me anytime for advice. Please.

Here's a shot of yours truly and The Master (Cesar) and two "bad" dogs that came to me for training that were too aggressive and "untrainable" to get adopted. Note who they are looking at! (They are staying, BTW)

 

[fhm555]

Like humans, dogs have unique personalities. Also like humans, some are more adaptable to socialization than others. While breed does factor in, it is not the standard by which individual dogs should be judged. The ideal family dog would be the pup that charges out to greet the strangers who may become it's new family. You want to see as much of the litter as possible and pick the one who is happiest to see your children. The pups that hang back or are reluctant to be touched are best left to someone else, especially if they are going to be living with children. This is not sex dependent though a female is more likely to make a better family companion as an adult dog, provided you allow her to come into heat at least once before having her spayed. The opinions on castration of males varies from as soon as your vet will do it, to waiting til around 18 months to insure proper bone and muscle development before removing their testosterone supply. My experience with males has been best with those I've had cut before they were ever exposed to a bitch in heat, but whichever sex you wind up with, find a good vet with good references and follow their advice. They are after all the trained professionals.

Once your pup has picked you, start it's training right away. The first order of business is to establish who the master is. Do this by sitting down with your legs together, then place your pup on it's back on your legs. It will try to turn over, but (gently) hold it down so it cannot. A few minutes a day and soon your pup will not fight you. based on my experience with dogs, this is the single most important thing you can do to insure obedience down the line. Never strike your dog, even with a rolled up paper. Tone of voice is very effective in conveying approval and disapproval. Baby talk for approval, neutral tone for commands, and a lower tone with a more clipped delivery for disapproval or discipline.

As for breeds, avoid any type of terrier. If that word appears in it's description, it is predisposed to bite. No matter how sweet they may be, a grumpy terrier will often snap. Not a good thing if a child gets a little carried away while playing. Same goes for a lot of small breeds. While my personal experience is limited with small dogs, I've been around a lot of them that belonged to others and some are very vicious little critters. I think that comes more from personality than treatment, but i also believe all small dogs carry some measure of little man syndrome.

The majority of my experience with dogs outside hunting breeds has been with dobermans. Never consider an adult if you have children, but the right puppy, raised with your children will be the most gentle, most loyal, most fiercely protective dog you could have. They require a lot of attention but they learn quickly. The usual training methods are fine if you want a highly disciplined guard dog, but for a family pet all you need do is convey your disapproval of their behavior and they will change it until you are pleased with them.

Best of luck and congratulations. There are few things more rewarding than a family dog.

 

[rtslinger]

My Maltese we purchased from a breeder both of her parents are award winning show dogs and both were on the premises, she is the sweetest gentle soul you ever will come across
expensive yes but worth every penny

 

[Pilgrim]

I am a strong advocate of shelter dogs. It may take time to find one that is compatible with you, but it's worth the wait and those little guys NEED you.

The last dog I chose wasn't one I planned on. I am a big fan of terriers and went to a shelter to look at a Westie. That dog was bouncing around his kennel space and barking every couple of trips. Next to him was a little curly dog (later found out he was mostly Llasa Apso, about 15 pounds) who sat there watching us intently, wagging like crazy, but never making a sound. We came around a couple of times and then picked him up and spent some time with him.

That little guy was the quietest, most loving and sweetest dog I ever met. We lost him to cancer a few years ago and I still miss him.

 

[buzzbass]

look into basset hounds. totally chill with loads of personality. we have 2, Buford T. Justice & Otis Dey

 

[DevinWard369]

Miniature schnauzers!
I've got three. I think I've paid 300 for each of them and got them off of local classifieds as puppies.
Each can sit, shake, give a five, lay, roll over, and play dead!
Smartest dogs you'll ever get and they just want love, are amazing with children, AND THEY DON'T SHED! Meet left to right Diggles 1yrs(Arrow tv show) Chino 9yrs (Deftones) and Zooey 3yrs (Zooey deshchanel)

 

[Bassamatic]

Of course within each breed there are individual personalities, but ignoring the breed itself will give you big trouble down the road or result in a miserable dog. On the extreme end - imagine a Greyhound that never gets to run or a Bloodhound that never gets to search for anything! That is what they were bred to do! Do your research and you can have the best possible experience with your dog - possibly the most amazing animals on earth!

Dogs have been bred to be with humans for 30,000 years and they are the ONLY animal that can understand pointing? You can't even teach this to monkeys. Sure lots of people have dogs, but with most of them, the experience could be much better for the humans AND the dogs, and it is easy. Just do your homework.

BTW - the mini Schnauzers are wonderful dogs!!!! Yours are adorable DevinWard! Need a lot of activity though, so be prepared.

 

[Aberdumbie]

I think all dogs are great. My personal favorite would be a beagle. Especially around kids. They are smart (sorta). They will love and adore you and your kids like you walk on water... And anyone else that tickles their tummy for that matter. They are loyal as the day is long. Walk out the front door to get the mail and they will greet you when you come back in the door like you been gone forever. Yeah, a beagle is the true snuggle buddy, friend, companion. And I totally agree with those above about pet stores. They aren't your best choice. The puppy mill breeders tend to breed in as much of the poor qualities of a breed as the good. There are lots lonely pups waiting for a kid to come play with them at shelters all over the place. I wish I could take em all...

Edit... And for the record.... I have owned lots of dogs over the years. Most were rescues, One was a gift from a little league team. One ran up the street to me like he was looking for me his whole life...... My point being.... I think a dog will choose you... Sort of like that bass on the rack that talks to you. You just know... THAT is the one.

 

[Humbled]

A Rat Terrier / Mountain Feist (a wander-up so we're not really sure, It looks a lot like a Rat Terrier, but has longer legs like a Mountain Feist) is the best dog we've ever had.

We also have what we believe is a Dachshund/Chihuahua mix. A lady that lives near us works at the County Animal Shelter and brought home two Bitches and their litters that had been pulles out from under an abandoned house in a bad part of town. It's a good dog, and a great alarm system, usually just barking when appropriate.

The Neighbor asked my daughter if she'd "come over as often as she could to help socialize the pups". I knew immediately where that was headed.

In both cases, we didn't pick the dog, the dog picked us.

 

[MonetBass]

Mutt. Let me say that again: Mutt. Those are the best kind of dogs. Five years ago we went to a rescue shelter and got a Chihuahua-Jack Russell terrier mix, male, who was about a year old and already fixed. He is smart, sweet, loves going on walks and playing fetch. He's been around toddlers and we've never had an issue. As was said, give it time. The right dog will come around.

 

[Groove Doctor]

The dog chooses you.

We bred and sold working dogs on the farm growing up. We advertised in local paper, asked lots of questions and filtered out those we weren't happy selling to. Person comes around and you see the dog choose their new owner. It's almost instant.... seen it dozens of times.

Phone and chat with experienced breeders/sellers of a particular breed - they're the best people to ask & give you personalised advice. Even if you don't buy from them, you will know quickly if you are making the right choice.

No experience with rescue dogs - we needed well-bred working dogs for the animals.

 

[Gorn]

Dogs in nature do 5 miles a day - you MUST walk your dog - a lot.

This girl I used to know got an Italian greyhound. She never walked it. Barely ever. She never ever let it run. It went on wee pads in the house. The poor thing got doggy epilepsy and eventually got put down. It's the reason we're not friends any more. I couldn't associate with that kind of negligence and cruelty.

 

[Stewie26]

As someone who is really into dogs and animals allow me to recommend Petfinders.com. See link.
Just put in your zip code and what type of dog you are looking for and it will do a filtered search for you.
It will show photos of the dog plus the dog's history and disposition traits.
I found my current dog, Lucky, on this website and it turned out to be a perfect match. We are one happy family and take him with us wherever they allow dogs.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[RED J]

Do you like rescuing adult dogs, raising the dogs from pups.

I 've done both, but prefer the former. I know it sounds corny and anecdotal, but I really believe in letting the dog choose you if that is the option. Of my current two, one of each category, my 14 year old Bassador climbed up the side of a box of garage stray pups to get to me while the others tussled.
They are both great dogs, but the old one literally my best and favorite in a lifetime.
Rescues have great gratitude, whether you want to argue affection or pack drive, it's pretty clear to me.

 

[hondo4life]

Make sure the dog is healthy.
I recently adopted a shelter dog that seemed really calm and cool the two first times I met him. They even claimed he was good with cats. When I took him home, I quickly figured out he was extremely ill and probably near death with heartworm and hookworm. Once I got him healthy, he became a different dog... clearly happier, but also a crazy bundle of energy. He got his prey drive back and chased my cat away (my cat was previously cool with him and other dogs). He became impossible to walk and we had to start from scratch on that. He also developed separation anxiety and shreds anything that is shreddable. He's still a good boy, though.