What Do You Think?
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Kitten Sneezes (#19175)
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***Before you make a decision to help me, please read ALL of what I have said and read it well. This is a BIG decision that I need YOUR help on, and I need it reviewed well!***
Me and my family are thinking about getting a dog, but there is some debate within the family. I'm going to tell you the debates, and which you think is best. Because there are just the two of us, and there is no third party to help us agree. So, I am asking for your help!
WHAT I WANT: I, personally, am happy with the dog breed she has chosen. She wants a German Shepherd. Now, I took LOTS of puppy test results, and the dog breed that came out best for us was the Golden Retriever. All in all, the best breed types were the Retriever and the Shepherd. I also want an Australian Shepherd, but a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever would do just fine. We both agree on this. I want a puppy instead of an adult/young dog. Why? Because this is my first dog, and I have wanted one for so long, I want the WHOLE experience. From puppyhood to death. This way, I can discover and learn from my mistakes, etc. Plus, my mother's boss had to go on vacation for two weeks, and we got to watch their new puppy; an Australian Shepherd. I was great with Bailey. I woke up in the middle of the night to take her out if she needed too, she never had any accidents, I taught her how to sit, I taught her manners at the table, etc. And she listened to me! I did a GREAT job taking care of Bailey. I KNOW I can handle a puppy. I also want to get one as soon as we can. Which would probably be before the end of school, and there are two months left of school. So before the end of two months. So I can show all of my friends my new puppy, and some of my friends are in Grade 12 and aren't going to be there next year. So I want to show them before they leave and go to college.
WHAT MY MOM WANTS: Now, I told you that we both agree on the breed, fairly enough to not fight about it. But she doesn't want a puppy. She doesn't think I can handle one. Even thought she knows how great I was at caring for Bailey. Now, my room is usually really messy, but I know that a puppy can't have that. So, I am willing to start keeping my room clean to show her. But she still says a puppy is a lot of work. What do you think? Can I handle a puppy, or is she right? Is it just too much work? She also wants to get the dog/puppy during late Summer. So I have to wait a good 4 and a half months before I can get my puppy? I've been waiting 15 years to get this dog, I don't want to wait any longer! She wants to get the dog after we go on vacation so that whoever is watching our house doesn't have to deal with another pet to care for.
ALSO: I have a cat, a rabbit, three fish tanks, and gerbils. Last time we had dogs over and they wanted to chase the bunny, she let them. Who does that?! No, you don't let the dog chase the bunny! Also, whenever I would try to train the dog, she would always literally PUSH me out of the way. 'No, that's not how you do it!'. Everybody has their own way of training a dog. Your way isn't anymore right then my way, you know. And this dog/puppy, we have already agreed, will be MINE. That means I take it for walks, I clean up it's business, I train it, I feed it, I do everything. Which I am totally prepared for.
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Okay, enough of my silly ranting. Please, let me know what YOU think and WHY. Am I ready to care for a puppy? Or should I just get a young/adult dog instead? What do YOU think is the right time for us to get the new addition? Thanks for your help, I REALLY appreciate it!
Me and my family are thinking about getting a dog, but there is some debate within the family. I'm going to tell you the debates, and which you think is best. Because there are just the two of us, and there is no third party to help us agree. So, I am asking for your help!
WHAT I WANT: I, personally, am happy with the dog breed she has chosen. She wants a German Shepherd. Now, I took LOTS of puppy test results, and the dog breed that came out best for us was the Golden Retriever. All in all, the best breed types were the Retriever and the Shepherd. I also want an Australian Shepherd, but a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever would do just fine. We both agree on this. I want a puppy instead of an adult/young dog. Why? Because this is my first dog, and I have wanted one for so long, I want the WHOLE experience. From puppyhood to death. This way, I can discover and learn from my mistakes, etc. Plus, my mother's boss had to go on vacation for two weeks, and we got to watch their new puppy; an Australian Shepherd. I was great with Bailey. I woke up in the middle of the night to take her out if she needed too, she never had any accidents, I taught her how to sit, I taught her manners at the table, etc. And she listened to me! I did a GREAT job taking care of Bailey. I KNOW I can handle a puppy. I also want to get one as soon as we can. Which would probably be before the end of school, and there are two months left of school. So before the end of two months. So I can show all of my friends my new puppy, and some of my friends are in Grade 12 and aren't going to be there next year. So I want to show them before they leave and go to college.
WHAT MY MOM WANTS: Now, I told you that we both agree on the breed, fairly enough to not fight about it. But she doesn't want a puppy. She doesn't think I can handle one. Even thought she knows how great I was at caring for Bailey. Now, my room is usually really messy, but I know that a puppy can't have that. So, I am willing to start keeping my room clean to show her. But she still says a puppy is a lot of work. What do you think? Can I handle a puppy, or is she right? Is it just too much work? She also wants to get the dog/puppy during late Summer. So I have to wait a good 4 and a half months before I can get my puppy? I've been waiting 15 years to get this dog, I don't want to wait any longer! She wants to get the dog after we go on vacation so that whoever is watching our house doesn't have to deal with another pet to care for.
ALSO: I have a cat, a rabbit, three fish tanks, and gerbils. Last time we had dogs over and they wanted to chase the bunny, she let them. Who does that?! No, you don't let the dog chase the bunny! Also, whenever I would try to train the dog, she would always literally PUSH me out of the way. 'No, that's not how you do it!'. Everybody has their own way of training a dog. Your way isn't anymore right then my way, you know. And this dog/puppy, we have already agreed, will be MINE. That means I take it for walks, I clean up it's business, I train it, I feed it, I do everything. Which I am totally prepared for.
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Okay, enough of my silly ranting. Please, let me know what YOU think and WHY. Am I ready to care for a puppy? Or should I just get a young/adult dog instead? What do YOU think is the right time for us to get the new addition? Thanks for your help, I REALLY appreciate it!
Kitten Sneezes (#19175)
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03-30-2013 at 9:43 PM
Thank you for the advice :)<br /> I'll keep everything in mind when I talk to her about it, and I've already started to keep my room clean and do other chores without being asked.
Ingenuo (aka Magic) (#27550)
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03-30-2013 at 8:34 PM
Well, I wish you the best. It seems you're doing your best to be prepared. If your mother disagrees that you are, tell her about how you've been preparing, keep your room clean, and offer to puppy-proof the house (No loose wires, essentially baby-proofing). I'd say, show responsibility, don't bring it up all the time, and tell her you're willing to wait until later to get this puppy. You do want it now, but the more prepared you are, the better. And who knows, maybe the puppy you REALLY want will have come later than you wanted right now. <br /> <br /> I'd also say, if you get a large dog, beware, people are afraid of larger dogs, not when they're puppies, but when they get big, if they aren't controlled (and sometimes even if they are) a person could scare them, or be afraid of your dog. Even when you know it's a perfectly sweet, behaved animal. <br /> <br /> And just be ready to have fun. Puppies, or dogs, are a lot of responsibility, but they're fun. It's so fun to watch your baby grow older, to play with them and have a lot of fun. To have someone in your family (Still talking about the dog here.) who loves you, and won't argue with you. <br /> <br /> Also, what the other poster said. You have to be the alpha, not your mother. If your mother interferes in training your dog, they will not listen to you. And do your best not to get in trouble, dogs can be protective, and even if your pup doesn't mean to, they can growl or even snap at your mother if they believe YOU are the alpha. <br /> <br /> So, if it's your dog, you're the alpha. However, sometimes, it's better to have your parent be the alpha, and you still appear stronger/higher up than your pup. (That's how it worked out for me, my dog listens amazingly well, and has never disobeyed me after her training years, but she sees my parents as the alphas still, even after we've moved out. Haha)
Kitten Sneezes (#19175)
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03-30-2013 at 7:39 PM
Thank you for both replies. <br /> <br /> @Myss: I want to make sure that I don't mess things up, and this is a site dedicated to dogs (whether they be digital or real) and so, what a better place to ask, right? I'll have to figure that out, it may involve some arguing with my mother, but I'll figure out a way to get her to understand that I have to be the one who trains it, and not her just because she thinks I am doing it wrong.<br /> <br /> @MagicAndDance: Now that I've read your description, I think you are right about waiting. Although I won't get to show my Grade 12 buddies my pup, I'll be able to spend more time bonding with him or her over summer, and it would probably be best to do so then. I can just send them pictures :)<br /> <br /> I've had my fair share of messes and being kept up at night. We used to babysit family friend's dogs ALL the time, and one would get excited once they have seen you and pee on the floor, and Bailey, the puppy I mentioned in the description, would sleep in my bed with me. She would nip at my ears, my nose, or anything to get attention. I had to keep putting her at the end of the bed. But, she didn't like that so she ended up sleeping inbetween my arms. Seemed that was what she wanted all along. I don't mind a dog sleeping with me, I know it's better for them to sleep on the floor, but it was easier for her to wake me up when she had to go to the bathroom. She would wake up and lick my face/nip my ears to get me up, and I would take her out and let her do her business. I've experienced a taste of puppyhood for two weeks. ^^<br /> <br /> I've also experienced a poorly trained dog before. My old step-dad had a dog named Boomer. He REFUSED to train Boomer until it was too late and Boomer bit/attacked people and had to be put down. I've been down that road, and I know how to avoid it. I'm also going to do lots of research if we do decide to in fact get a puppy, and see what to do/how to train them and such.<br /> <br /> We aren't going to be buying from a Breeder. Not ever. We are going to be adopting a puppy from the Shelter. It'll be a young puppy nonetheless though.<br /> <br /> I already do have quite a good idea on what a puppy needs during it's first times. Lots of social interaction with people, dogs or all sizes, different animals, to ensure the dog isn't aggressive or frightened by anything in the future. Also introduce it to loud noises, different settings, etc so it can get used to it. But you have to make sure to do it right otherwise it won't work out.<br /> <br /> i'm still going to be doing my research, though. There's lots for me to learn still. <br /> <br /> Also, don't worry. I'm not afraid to scold my puppy when needed. It may be cute and fluffy, but what it does doesn't make it okay.
Mystic Eyes (#12802)
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03-30-2013 at 6:17 PM
Well first off I'd like to say that it's very mature to at least seek advice. Most people would just whine about it if they find out they might not get their way. I've lived with dogs for my entire life -- and lots of them. If you get a dog that's older, even one or two years old, then they've already been trained. Just like our childhood has a great effect on our adult years, a dog's puppy-hood defines their behavior for the rest of their life. It's great to rescue dogs and all, but for a first dog it would be wiser to get a puppy so they are brought up with your family and will feel more at home later on.<br /> <br /> I might add that if the dog is yours, it should see <i>you</i> as "alpha" of the pack. This will not be accomplished if your mother pushes you out of the way when you are trying to train it, because it basically teaches the dog that it isn't required to listen to everything you say. Trust me, I've had to deal with this myself, and it's not fun. An obedient dog is a wonderful dog to be around :) I hope I've been able to help.
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2013-03-30 18:19:37 by #12802
2013-03-30 18:17:55 by #12802
Ingenuo (aka Magic) (#27550)
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03-30-2013 at 6:11 PM
I would say, if you really do want a puppy, be willing to wait. From what I've gathered you're arguing, not about not having one, but about when, and if you're ready for a puppy. Younger dogs are a LOT of work, they make messes, they keep you up when they're scared and lonely, and they need constant attention. They are also a lot of money, a poorly trained puppy results in a poorly trained dog, and a poorly trained dog is something one wants to avoid.<br /> <br /> You'd have to be more careful with a puppy, the first time you brush it, wash it, have it meet other animals all have to be carefully done, or you'll end up with a dog that wants to eat others, won't be friendly to people, hates water, etc. If you're not prepared for that (and I'm being serious, you have to be prepared, you can't just be stubborn and not be, one mistake can screw up your relationship for a LONG time) don't get it. Get an older (Younger adult, adult) dog, from a shelter.<br /> <br /> I'd suggest, get a dog from a shelter, play with that dog in the room, ask about how good it is with other animals. Usually the puppies there are older, and don't need a "first time" grooming lesson, or to meet with other animals for the first time. And all the shots and vaccines are generally taken care of. <br /> <br /> I had a puppy when I was younger, I first got her when I was 6. She's 10 now, and she's going to die, soon. It's all a matter of waiting. She didn't enjoy her first time being bathed (we sent her to a grooming facility instead of doing it ourselves) so throughout her life, she's been terrified of water. I cannot get her near a hose, much less a bath. She's 90 pounds, and will TEAR things up as I take her there.<br /> <br /> She's not aggressive, thank god, but seriously. Having a puppy is a lot of work, I'd suggest, if you do get one, after school would be a good thing. You can't go off to school and leave your pup in a kennel or out for hours after you've just got it. Trust me. You worry the WHOLE day, and they get into trouble without being reprimanded.<br /> <br /> Oh, and one last point, you have to be okay to flick them on the nose, or to say no to them. If you're not, I wouldn't suggest getting a young, untrained dog at ALL.