Thread: Put your dog on a leash!!

I haven't had a dog in a couple of years, and am just getting ready to bring a new puppy home in a couple of weeks.

Of course, dogs should be leashed in public!

Whether or not you get a dog of your own depends on what you expect from the experience and what you have to offer.

For many years, I lived out in the middle of nowhere on 5 acres. I always had 2-3 dogs. They were not well trained. They were house broken and I could get a collar and leash on them long enough to take them in for vaccinations. Other than that, they weren't trained. It was ok that I worked long hours. There was more than one of them to keep each other company, and plenty of room for them to play and get exercise. No walking necessary.

When I had to move to town, I moved into a place with a small yard. I found a home for my 100 lb lab; she needed more space, and it would have been unkind to leave her cooped up here by herself. I visit her regularly.

If this year ever ends, I'm bringing home a puppy. A smaller dog, donated by a friend who knew I missed my dog. A dog who will be fine in the smaller space, and whose temperment is calm. She will come housebroken. I will have to leash train her and take her for regular walks, as well as making sure she is well socialized. Dogs are pack animals; if there are no other dogs around, they need to be with people.

I stopped and his owner was yelling at him as his dog attacked me and bit my leg! Luckily, there was no blood, just a huge bruise and teeth marks.

I would of probably pressed charges. How did the owner react? I get really fed up with idiots like that who refuse to do what is obviously safe for other people and the dog.

Is it really hard to train a dog? Is it worth it?

It can be difficult, but what is really needed is patience and true love for the dog to give you a reason to try. It always depends on the individual dog. Some are easy to train, some aren't. I say it's worth it. Once they're trained (which sometimes can take up to a few months) you'll usually have an obedient friend for life who won't give you much problem at all. It's very important to get your dog from a good breeder, or even better, a sweet, loving dog at the pound.

Sure, there is companionship, but what else? Poop you have to clean up and food/vet bills. Anyone else have a dog story?

I truly don't think dogs are that expensive of pets. I spend a lot more money on my fish than my dog; they are much more high maintenence.
The biggest expensives of a dog are buying the dog itself (that's why I recommend getting it from the pound. You're saving a life and saving yourself a lot of money) and the yearly required shots. I spend $50 a year on my dog for shots, and he has occasionally gotten fleas and I've had to buy antibiotics for him. Food isn't a huge expense, and then there's the other things you have to consider; toys, emergency vet visits, etc. And the good thing about poop, is once they're trained you don't have to worry about cleaning up any more messes. I know the dog shook you up, but in general dogs are very nice, loyal animals who are not genetically vicious (some say pitbulls are).

I'm not sure if you wanted that much information, but I decided to type it all up just in case :)

Thanks for the replies. You are right, Mab, I should have pressed charges, but at the time, I just wanted to get out of there. Can you believe the owner didn't even apologise?

Well, anyways, this happened a long time ago and now I'm back into a dog-loving phase. It is even more encouraging when you tell me that dogs are not overly expensive and that if you train them right, they'll be less of a pain. Also, if you save one from the pound, you'll be his true friend for life. I can't believe your dog is less of a financial burden than your fish! haha...

Kelley, did you ever get that small dog you wanted? Unfortunatley, I have to wait a few more years before I can afford to buy a house with a yard. All in all, I think that someday I will be a very proud dog owner.

Yes, I did. She turned 4 months old this week. She is relatively small in comparison to my 100 lb lab; an australian shepherd.

So far, so good. She needs a morning and evening play/walk, and she needs to be near us as long as someone is home. No leaving her out in the yard; she spends enough time out there on her own when I'm at work.

At this point, she will sit, lay down, get "off" (when she gets too excited and jumps), and fetch. We are working on "stay," and we are working on not tripping and biting ankles when she gets excited and wants to play. She knows she is not supposed to, so she will grovel right next to my foot, wriggling all over, and begging me to stop walking and play with her. Most of the time she resists temptation, but sometimes she dives after the feet/ankles as if they were toys. She has also learned to walk on a leash, except when going into the vet's office for shots. Then she becomes a stone that I am dragging along. And she knows not to chase the cats and the hens; she doesn't chase as long as they walk. If they run, she sometimes can't resist.

All in all, a success. Of course, it's hard not to love the puppy whose main goal in life is to adore you!

Here in Aus you are charged if your dog is off leash, our dog bit a boy at the park playfully, and broke his skin, and we have tpo be careful over it because we could be sued and have our poor old innocent dog killed.

You need to confront the man about this if it happens again.

Originally Posted by klh_VanBC

Well, anyways, this happened a long time ago and now I'm back into a dog-loving phase. It is even more encouraging when you tell me that dogs are not overly expensive and that if you train them right, they'll be less of a pain. Also, if you save one from the pound, you'll be his true friend for life. I can't believe your dog is less of a financial burden than your fish! haha...

The pound is a great place to rescue a doggie from...or even getting a puppy from a reputable breeder. I STRONGLY urge you to not get one from a local pet store, though...no matter how cute they look. I've done so much research on puppy mills and pet stores, it's not even funny. Even volunteered there for a while. It's no good... you're actually doing the puppies a favor by not buying them. I know it sounds cruel, but by doing so, you're supporting a multi-billion dollar industry...

*woah* sorry to have ranted and raved about that...it's a touchy subject and I just wanted to let you know I think it's great if you do end up rescuing a "pound puppy".