Thinking of getting a dog

[savi83]

Hi everybody,

As per the title, I'm thinking of getting a dog. Probably an English Springer Spaniel to be more accurate.

When I was growing up my parents had dogs. Now that I have my own place I was thinking of getting a dog.

I heard that they're good companion. I know that they take a lot of time to train, costs for vet bills and food. I'm not really sure what to do with it whilst I'm out in work, etc.

Are there any pros and cons I haven't considered?

 

[Katleya]

I think a pet is a wonderful idea, you will have company, and a dog will make you go out (possible con: people like dogs and will probably come and talk to you, try to pet the dog, etc., and you'll need to be firm for them to respect the limits). Full disclosure, I'm more of a cat person, among other things because I couldn't walk a dog several times a day and he'd be unhappy with me, so there are probably things about a dog that I won't be able to think of, but I'm sure other members will.

I suppose you've already thoroughly researched the breed to ensure it matches your lifestyle. It seems that many shelters know the personality of their dogs, and they could probably help you meet your match.

Oh, and I don't know where you're standing in terms of diagnosis, or what country you're in, but (emotional) support dogs may be worth looking into. It is my understanding that they receive training and that the organizations who provide them to people who need them help with some of the logistics aspects, but I've never used such a service.

This might sound stupid, but have you been around dogs recently to check that you're not allergic? Maybe that could be a good occasion to volunteer to walk dogs at a shelter, to take one further step in this direction while "testing" the possible pros and cons before you go ahead with your decision.

Pros:
The companionship
A daily routine
Plenty more things that I can't think of right now

Cons:
Need for a dogsitting solution if you're likely to leave for extended periods
Dogs need their walk even on rainy days
Probably other things, waiting for the dog people to add their 2 cents

 

[wadorama]

Mork! =o)

Dogs are unconditional love (which is the shiz) but require daily maintenance (which isn't).

Cats are conditional love but can be left for a day or two with a timed box cleaner and feeder (but MAN do you hear about it when you get home).

I'd choose based my affection and maintenance needs. Either way, you can't go wrong.

 

[Streetwise]

Hi everybody,

As per the title, I'm thinking of getting a dog. Probably an English Springer Spaniel to be more accurate.

When I was growing up my parents had dogs. Now that I have my own place I was thinking of getting a dog.

I heard that they're good companion. I know that they take a lot of time to train, costs for vet bills and food. I'm not really sure what to do with it whilst I'm out in work, etc.

Are there any pros and cons I haven't considered?

An emotional support dog would be much better !!!if you could take it where you go !!!dogs are pack animals they do not do well being left in the house alone ,they commonly suffer from separation anxiety -that is part of the reason they chew ,they have to be walked every day !!!at least twice a day !!!!! They need stimulation ,if you are physically ill for more than a week you have to find somebody to walk them or their mental illness will become worse.
If the dog has been neutered you need to reduce their food intake as the calories displayed on food packaging are for a dog that hasn't been neutered , if you want to treat the dog give it a toy instead .
How much exercise do you take ?don't what so ever get a beagle ,beagles are unusual In that they have to have another dog ,they are the epitome of a pack animal ,they become extremely mentally unwell if they do not have the company of another dog .
They take a huge amount of physical energy to care for every day,they are very energetic dogs.
Springer Spaniel is also take a lot of energy ,what are called pure breeds usually have some inherited health condition, a very common one is hip dysplasia -they are born with this condition(springer Spaniels need to be what is known as hip scored -that is how severely they are affected hip dysplasia.)
Heart defects ,eye defects ,if you don't adopt from a rescue centre !!!go to the place where the dog is being sold !!!if you get a puppy ask to see the mother and father and where the dog was/is being kept ,puppy farms are prevalent worldwide .
It is better to get what is called a mongrel in the UK or even better a very mixed breed dog ,not a combo of two purebreds they will still probably have defects which were present at birth ,which always comes from inbreeding .
The benefits of getting a dog still please get an emotional support dog !!!!they are very loyal !you can socialise more easily with humans if you have a dog ,just focusing on the dog is good for your general health .
They live life in the now -they are very forgiving.
They want you to be in control of them in a healthy way, like a very small child the world is fascinating to them ,so they need variety in where you walk them ,if all you are allowed to do was walk when you left the place you had stayed for a few hours or more !!!would you want to walk the same route every single time ?!!!I can think of nothing worse .
Hope this helps

 

[Voltaic]

Don't underestimate the work that goes into dogs. Sometimes it can be like babysitting a toddler. They are better in a lot of ways than a toddler, but still make lots of noise (worst thing about my dogs) can be super hyper, will poop, pee, and puke at least once in your house. Walks are great, but tedious at some points, you won't want to walk your dog, but you have to, training them takes percistance and patients, and the destruction they can cause. The rewards are worth it to me, but to some people, the effort in order to have a dog is too much.

 

[Kirsty]

Yay! Congratulations on even thinking about this. You’re on the right track to a better life. I know you will love having a dog. Having one will help you feel more relaxed and fulfilled in life. (At least it would for me.) And when you’re feeling low on a rainy day, getting out for walkies will do you both a favour in raising your mood. Maybe not straight away, but afterwards, you’ll feel the benefits. I am desperate for a dog, to be honest, but can’t have one where I live right now. Been a loner all my life and can do with one. Soon, though.

 

[Flinty]

Having lived with an English Springer Spaniel...

He was rather rambunctious and clumsy. Extremely intelligent and overly friendly. He thought of himself as a lap dog.

I mean, extremely intelligent. We had to leave him alone with our cat (thankfully, they were friends) for over a week once. We didn't have a dog door. The litter box was a huge mess when we got back. There was actually food left after eight-and-a-half days, which speaks to the intelligence of the cat.

 

[wight]

I would suggest breed research, spring spaniel might not be the best choice.

Try here: Find your perfect dog breed
Once you have narrowed down the list, go here to read more about that breed: Dog Breeds A to Z All Purebreds and Cross Breed dogs (click the letter of the first name to get to the list)

 

[Sid Delicious]

Dogs can be brilliant for both companionship and organising your life (you are forced to get up in the morning, stick to a schedule, get fresh air and exercise, etc).

However I would say consider a rescue shelter first, as so many of them have been through horrible experiences or just dumped there and really need a loving home. If I ever won the lottery, my home would become a giant home for neglected pets. It's pretty tragic what many of them go through.

Also, I have relatives with spaniels and I would say be careful of the purebreeds as they can have various medical problems later on due to overly small skulls. I personally would never buy a purebred dog now, as there are so many potential health issues due to inbreeding. Please do a lot of research before financially supporting certain breeding practices (I know most people don't intentionally mean to do this). There are some very good, responsible breeders out there, but also a LOT of bad ones.

 

[Gracey]

A dog isn't an instant gratification/good idea at the time/ throw away item.

It can be a 16+ year commitment, all day, everyday.

When you bring the dog home you'll no longer have only yourself to look after. You're responsible for the needs and fulfilment of a dependent, living animal.

If you're out at work all day there are registered and insured Dog Walkers you can hire to come to your home and walk the dog for you.
There are Doggy Day Care Centres whereby you can drop the dog off on your way to work and pick it up on your way home.
There are boarding kennels if you're away on a business trip, holiday or in hospital and you have nobody to take care of the dog for you.

Bored, stressed lonely dogs are destructive, noisy, dirty and unfulfilled which can, more often than not, lead to many, many behavioural issues.

Research your breeds and their characteristics and specifically their needs in addition to the Animal Welfare guidelines or laws that apply to where you live.
A great bond and relationship can happen when both dog an owner are loosely matched in some traits.

There are many, many rewards to be had from sharing your time with a dog but they rarely happen by magic or through hope. You have to put the consideration and the work and time in.

Dogs are servile and totally dependent on you to meet their needs. (U.K - where hunting their own food isn't permitted)
The rewards can be tenfold but you will reap what you sow.