tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post7969567892058424119..comments2024-03-28T02:06:40.534-05:00Comments on Two Pitties in the City: Pooches: New Dog Owner AdviceTwo Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-45181692352452834292015-03-13T23:39:41.483-05:002015-03-13T23:39:41.483-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07849834577128266647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-37150509622567287052011-07-06T23:58:45.875-05:002011-07-06T23:58:45.875-05:00Great post! I'd add that you need to consider ...Great post! I'd add that you need to consider your favorite activities and choose a dog that is compatible. For example, if you love to travel by airplane, it's best to choose a breed that is small enough to fly with you in the cabin. If you do a lot of RVing, you might want to choose a dog that doesn't shed. (Oops!) The point is to have the ability to continue to do the things you love - and have them be even better because you have your dog with you.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04451132815804002971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-59224634365689792632011-07-06T06:58:39.384-05:002011-07-06T06:58:39.384-05:00Great idea for a post. There have been excellent p...Great idea for a post. There have been excellent points made in these comments as well. I knew I wanted a pug for years and researched and talked to pug people all during that time. The breed fit my lifestyle and attitude. I agree that more people need to think before just getting a pretty face.<br /><br />I love a piece of advice I got in a dog book about treating your dog like a child. Expose them to new sounds, smells, environments and surfaces so that they won't be afraid of new thing. I really took this to heart. I enjoy showing my boys new things, plus I believe it makes them more interested in the world around them. <br /><br />Love your blog and the babies are adorbs. Miss M has the most fab pouty face!Malissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04882899098979037784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-16538228142516685722011-07-06T06:41:26.999-05:002011-07-06T06:41:26.999-05:00Great post! Love the squinty eye pic! I agree wit...Great post! Love the squinty eye pic! I agree with everything everyone said!<br /><br />To New Yorkers, the breed restrictions in buildings as well as play groups is huge. Also, think about the hours you will spend walking. Two hours of our day is now spent exclusively walking Havi. Make sure you want to make that part of your routine. As well as expenses.<br /><br />BUt really any con I can think of it outweighed by Havi right now attempting to convince me shes a lapdog.Two Grad Students and a Pittiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13269935614694788118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-39751377090201382372011-07-06T06:15:51.772-05:002011-07-06T06:15:51.772-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Alvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12036915585583467594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-43701931197642643512011-07-06T05:49:49.651-05:002011-07-06T05:49:49.651-05:00Great post,
I agree that our lifestyle has chang...Great post, <br /><br />I agree that our lifestyle has changed since our pug joined the household. We learned to share responsibilities in taking care of him. Patience and persistence was key in training Darwin. It's harder to meet up with coworkers/friends but we try our best to include him. <br /><br />I think one of the most difficult problems I encountered was working full-time and finding the energy to play with him. Both of us are tired after work and I have to study with whatever time remains in the day. Rather than exercising I will take him for long walks and some days I'll bring him to doggy day care to give him time to play with other dogs. He loves it. It's costly but it's worth it...Darwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05967425543571011810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-51306101228206569842011-07-06T05:46:37.719-05:002011-07-06T05:46:37.719-05:00What a great post. Thanks for this helpful overvie...What a great post. Thanks for this helpful overview. I've never adopted an adult dog, but I think my next dog will be a shelter rescued dog, so I really got a lot out of reading this.parlancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11175843064324380048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-11993789298598735292011-07-06T04:27:07.900-05:002011-07-06T04:27:07.900-05:00Wonderful suggestions! Mom said she found it helpf...Wonderful suggestions! Mom said she found it helpful to do some reading as well. There are so many great books out on dog behavior (The other end of the leash) and dog training (The power of positive dog training) and Ian Dunbar's Before and After you get your Puppy). These really helped her and me :)<br /><br />Waggin at ya,<br />RooAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-30434555387417630762011-07-05T22:57:48.531-05:002011-07-05T22:57:48.531-05:00Hiya! That was a great post and I think it should ...Hiya! That was a great post and I think it should be made mandatory for everyone to read before they become doggy-parents. There are so many people out there that just get a dog because he/she looked so cute or "for the kids"... WRONG WRONG WRONG! :(<br /><br />Cheers and slobbers from DownUnder Teal'cAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-84404793973547528952011-07-05T21:41:48.713-05:002011-07-05T21:41:48.713-05:00we wish all new doggie owners would read your post...we wish all new doggie owners would read your post!!<br />Benny & LilyTwo French Bulldogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10504475675258871866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-67834474355630530632011-07-05T20:59:39.130-05:002011-07-05T20:59:39.130-05:00Wow, tons of great ideas! I'm obviously a hug...Wow, tons of great ideas! I'm obviously a huge supporter of the training, and being realistic about the type of home you can provide for a dog. I think the only thing I would add is that nothing is set in stone. A dog is an animal, and there is always an element of unpredictability with bringing a new dog home. <br /><br />You decided to feed wellness dry food? Your new dog has a sensitive tummy. You're picturing daily trips to the dog park? Turns out large groups of rambunctious dogs is too overwhelming for your pup. You can only plan so much, and then try and take the unexpected as it comes.Of Pit Bulls and Patiencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06492258572655448550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-1686608778895382532011-07-05T20:33:46.648-05:002011-07-05T20:33:46.648-05:00I love this post! Everything you said is absolutel...I love this post! Everything you said is absolutely right on point! When I got Keena my whole life changed. Having a dog is really like having a child, especially when you firt rescue a dog. Keena has separation anxiety, has torn up blinds, and chewed on door knobs when I have left her. Not to mention she has destroyed her extra large crate trying to escape. One more thing I would add to your post is also about the vet. When you adopt a dog you need to be prepared for a very large first vet bill. Keena had heartworms and needed to be spayed when I got her and I dropped about 800 dollars on my first visit. Look into pet insurance...they paid me back for the heartworm treatment. Also, I have a friend who got a dog that the shelter said was heartworm negative and when she took him to the vet found out it was a false negative test. She was VERY unprepared for the bill on that visit! All of this was totally worth it...Keena is the doggy love of my life! Adopting is a wonderful experience.<br /><br />Annie and KeenaFor the Love of Doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01839893894784283401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-66408185552925742011-07-05T20:17:36.153-05:002011-07-05T20:17:36.153-05:00Great post!
Adding to your lifestyle point...thin...Great post!<br /><br />Adding to your lifestyle point...think about lifestyle changes over the next 10 years! Will you be moving, getting married, having kids? You need to make sure your new pup will fit into these changes. I hear about too many dogs being surrendered because their owner's new job keeps them away too long, they moved into a smaller space, their dog doesn't like their new toddler...<br /><br />Life changes for all of us. It's important to find a dog that can adapt to major life shifts, if you foresee any in your near future.AChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11851263591445841749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-65958854766875162452011-07-05T19:20:31.349-05:002011-07-05T19:20:31.349-05:00Great post! My advice:
* Make sure you have the t...Great post! My advice:<br /><br />* Make sure you have the time to commit to a a dog - the regular walks and playing, time spent on training, being able to adjust your schedule so that the dog gets an adequate amount of both. (For me that means no more 16 hour studio marathons!)<br /><br />* Be patient. No dog is perfect and none of them come perfectly trained. Training takes time and commitment but usually really pays off. But don't expect your dog to get it right away - there are always accidents and quirks!<br /><br />* Take an obedience class - particularly if you've never trained a dog. The dog will probably have fun and you'll both learn a lot. <br /><br />* (This goes with your suggestion to look beyond the pretty face :) Consider size of the dog. I always thought I'd love to have a huge dog like a Great Dane - then I spent a lot of time walking my friend's German Sheppard who has a good 20 pounds on me. I'm glad my dog is only 60lbs!<br /><br />* Specifically for pitties/pittie mixes: There is a real stigma against the breed - in some cities/provinces more than others. I've found the best way to challenge this is to just ensure your dog is extra well behaved and sociable. When your dog is sweet and well trained it just highlights how ridiculous this stigma is. Lots of regular training and lots of socialization! I don't know if it's just mine or a pittie thing but social outings are probably my dog's favorite things so that's always been easy.Alannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14512136927506913760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-18083760686981843432011-07-05T15:18:34.909-05:002011-07-05T15:18:34.909-05:00First, the squinty eye pic is great. LOVE that one...First, the squinty eye pic is great. LOVE that one. Second, we agree completely with your tips. Even if you are familiar with a specific breed, each dog is different. I say this with experience. We also prepared for the worst..for example, the hyper trait of a Boston to be magnified. That way, we are thrilled to see her calm over the years. Also, enough can't be said of adopting an adult dog. Puppies are so very cute but need lots of training time (not to be had when working full time).Kitty+Cocohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06350428902835405782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-5259066454310504192011-07-05T13:11:23.451-05:002011-07-05T13:11:23.451-05:00I would say to do research and find a breed of dog...I would say to do research and find a breed of dog that works well with you. In my husband's family, we're the only ones who don't have Labrador Retrievers. I don't have anything against Labs, but they're just not the breed for me on a long term basis. I have a lot of reasons for liking Greyhounds, and they just happen to be the breed for me. Even if you're adopting a mixed breed dog, it still has traits from somewhere. <br /><br />Also, know your living limitations. I can't count the number of times somebody has come on a couple of dog forums that I visit and been in a panic because they adopted a dog, and now they find out their lease doesn't allow dogs of a certain kind or size. Know that you're making a long term commitment that will affect the kind of living arrangements that are open to you. In a perfect world, we'd all own our own homes, but in reality, a lot of people are renting or leasing and seem to forget these details when deciding to get a dog.houndstoothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-12517281291593334312011-07-05T12:38:00.344-05:002011-07-05T12:38:00.344-05:00the pretty face is the hard part for most. They ma...the pretty face is the hard part for most. They make and impulse adoptions and it doesn't always work out well<br /><br />Kari<br />http://dogisgodinreverse.com/Kari in Alaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08555458287778413718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-2376102777281148252011-07-05T12:07:33.735-05:002011-07-05T12:07:33.735-05:00I love this post. I particularly appreciate the p...I love this post. I particularly appreciate the part about being extra diligent with training and manners if you decide to adopt a bully breed. My only piece of advice would be to not give up those first difficult weeks of new dog ownership, Molly was a wreck for the first three weeks we had her but has improved immensely in just a couple months!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13351917238165900485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-88512215034933173992011-07-05T11:51:12.446-05:002011-07-05T11:51:12.446-05:00Hi! I am a new reader to your blog. You guys are ...Hi! I am a new reader to your blog. You guys are great advocates for a breed that is sometimes misunderstood. And as a Chicago resident, I love your Chicago pictures!<br /><br />I did want to add somethings about new dog ownership<br /><br />1) The worries. When you are 100% responsible for another living thing, the worries come in. To make sure they are happy, healthy, warm/cool enough. Worries when they are sick and worries when you leave the house. It is just something to get used too. <br /><br />2) Also nothing can beat a big smile and wiggly butt when you walk in the door. <br /><br />3) Patterns. Dog like patterns. So your life becomes a pattern. With walks, feedings. Yes there may be a blizzard but your dog still needs to go to the bathroom. <br /> <br />And I 100% agree with looking beyond a pretty face. We got a snaggle-toothed scruff ball. She is definitely a mutt but she is just great.<br /><br />Also thanks for being advocates for shelter dogs! You guys do a great job!thatfirstyearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14929432777909445822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-51331086512258020392011-07-05T11:40:02.858-05:002011-07-05T11:40:02.858-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.sweetpotatofirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685203763406983669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-22218529168206823282011-07-05T11:15:29.839-05:002011-07-05T11:15:29.839-05:00y'all have it all figured out. i have no thoug...y'all have it all figured out. i have no thoughts to add, somehow!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-50936833521124546652011-07-05T11:00:55.170-05:002011-07-05T11:00:55.170-05:00Make sure the dog you adopt matches your energy le...Make sure the dog you adopt matches your energy level. All dogs need the exercise and stimulation of walks. However, you may be able to get away with having a companion couch potato with some low energy breeds. Others will make you suffer--as they do--if exercise and interaction needs are not met.Fayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-85195158027669370282011-07-05T10:53:40.300-05:002011-07-05T10:53:40.300-05:00great post! I agree with everyone who mentioned ha...great post! I agree with everyone who mentioned having a dog definitely cuts back on spontaneous plans. You make changes but they are well worth it in my opinion.Pattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01229758010712631659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-32794559436817718872011-07-05T10:38:24.597-05:002011-07-05T10:38:24.597-05:00Great advice!
I think you have to decide early on...Great advice!<br /><br />I think you have to decide early on what you can live with and what you can't. Before adopting understand your limits but also know where you are flexible. <br /><br />I agree with Goosie Mama in that having a dog will definitely take away from spontaneity. Instead of going out with co-workers for a drink, you will find yourself rushing home to let the dog out. Instead of road-trips to amusement parks, you will have to plan holidays to dog friendly areas. Dog ownership does mean some sacrifice. I don't take dance classes anymore because I can't stay out that late on a weeknight. I need to be home with Shiva after leaving her alone during the day. But the sacrifice is definitely worth it!<br /><br />Good luck!Kristinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942859130560139570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-15018269856434350862011-07-05T09:47:48.549-05:002011-07-05T09:47:48.549-05:00Be realistic about the cost of a dog. Before I fin...Be realistic about the cost of a dog. Before I finally moved to an apartment where I was allowed pets, I worked out what size dog I'd like and then averaged out the cost per month. I started putting that much into a savings account every month which had the double benefits of both helping me to adjust to the budget and creating a doggy fund.<br /> When I finally adopted Billy I'd already saved enough to cover his adoption fee, first vet visit, all of his new supplies and still have about $500 left over for extra vet bills.In Black and Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487675112150460362noreply@blogger.com