First time dog owner advice

calmom
Wed, 11 Jan 2017 10:47:44 +0000

Just take your time – don’t feel that you have to take a dog from the shelter if “the one” doesn’t seem to be there. I’ve had very good luck with my last 3 dogs – all shelter dogs – but dogs #1 and #3 required multiple visits to multiple shelters. Dog #2 was different – I was feeling despondent after the passing of dog #1 and just stopped by the pound on my way to a meeting at work just to browse… and ended up showing up to my meeting with a very sweet, friendly, cuddly older puppy. (also in violation of my no-puppies rule.).

Do stick to your guns on maximum size if you have health issues – I used to be a big dog person – my 80’s dog was a purebred Rottie – but dog #1 mentioned above was a 65 lb. aussie mix and as she faded with age I was always terrified that her legs would give out and I wouldn’t be able to lift her. So my rule became: a dog I know I will be able to easily lift 10 years from now. My current dogs are both under 20 lb --the smaller one is well under 10 lb.

Aussie’s are good dogs but they shed like crazy. As much as I loved my aussie-mix, it definitely put me off of long haired dogs.

My experience with small dogs (admittedly only 2) is that they are needier and crave human attention more. My two tend to follow me from room to room, sit outside the bathroom door waiting for me, etc. The reason I have 2 now is that I felt that the first one needed companionship. I never had that experience with larger dogs, who seemed more content to curl up and sleep in a corner somewhere.

Anyway - good luck. It really is a hassle in many ways owning a dog, but I can’t imagine living without one. Dogs are little bundles of pure love.