New Dog, Need Help

[JessLough]

They have already clarified that they were making a (very poor taste) joke. I seem to recall you wanting to scare your neighbours with Rosey.

Why yes, when people are smoking weed (which I am allergic to), on my property, I let my dog bark at them and scare them away.

This dog was neither on their property, nor were they doing anything illegal, and the dog was allowed to make contact. 2 VERY separate things.

I'm also not about to stop my dog from sitting out front on her property while they are outside. If that scares them away, it's honestly jus a bonus. I have to sit there and deal with their kid throwing balls against my house, they can deal with my dog sitting in my yard, or they can move. Easy enough fix.

 

[Cthulhu7]

Even if that is the case, it definitely won't be taken seriously after the derail. Realistically, if they aren't going to take the advice they aren't going to take it no matter what we do. However, all the people who will search this thread or lurkers who happen to be in the same predicament will be reading what we say and it's not going to reflect very well on this forum. I think sometimes people forget that it's not just the OP who reads the thread.

Actually, I've read every post. Ignored the silly ones, gotten insulted by some, and found helpful tidbits in a handfull. If anything, I feel like my posts get ignored. I've already said we're not getting a dog just to scare our neighbor. We're also not getting a big dog. But it's still being brought up.

Also, Cthulhu didn't normally door dash. I'd say this was one of only a few times he did. Usually he only did it when we came home, and that was just to greet us. The couple of times he did run out were because he really had to go potty, and I didn't know / it wasn't time yet.

 

[Locke]

Why yes, when people are smoking weed (which I am allergic to), on my property, I let my dog bark at them and scare them away.

This dog was neither on their property, nor were they doing anything illegal, and the dog was allowed to make contact. 2 VERY separate things.

I'm also not about to stop my dog from sitting out front on her property while they are outside. If that scares them away, it's honestly jus a bonus. I have to sit there and deal with their kid throwing balls against my house, they can deal with my dog sitting in my yard, or they can move. Easy enough fix.

The only difference I see is that the OP was joking, and you were not/are not.

 

[golden&hovawart]

I think yr best breed is a working cat!.

Joke aside,if you dont take the time to work,train & socialize yr dog,then,you shouldn't own one!.Knowing that you failed yr 1st dog and it's likely to happen again,I would go for a breed like a black lab or a flat coated retriever.Black is a color that scare people off but both breeds are social.They do bark when someone comes and can defend you.Both will still need a lot of training,exercise and socialization but they are easier,than a working or herding breed.

 

[Cthulhu7]

I think yr best breed is a working cat!.

Joke aside,if you dont take the time to work,train & socialize yr dog,then,you shouldn't own one!.Knowing that you failed yr 1st dog and it's likely to happen again,I would go for a breed like a black lab or a flat coated retriever.Black is a color that scare people off but both breeds are social.They do bark when someone comes and can defend you.Both will still need a lot of training,exercise and socialization but they are easier,than a working or herding breed.

I think you missed the part about "scaring neighbors" being a joke.

That said, retrievers and labs both shed a lot, and have high dander. They would set of mine and Erin's allergies badly.

We tried to train and socialize him, and were still trying when the accident occurred. That's why I keep saying that I don't feel like we failed Cthulhu. There was an accident, and we had to pay for it.

 

[-bogart-]

I think you missed the part about "scaring neighbors" being a joke.

That said, retrievers and labs both shed a lot, and have high dander. They would set of mine and Erin's allergies badly.

We tried to train and socialize him, and were still trying when the accident occurred. That's why I keep saying that I don't feel like we failed Cthulhu. There was an accident, and we had to pay for it.

seriously , at this point just walk away from this thread , you can see which people here you want to deal with and which ones you dont , if you keep defending yourself it will continue to spiral.

i have used the ignore feature and this place is much nicer for it , we all know you cant go "boob on head " there trained ! it takes time alot of time.

hugs and let us know what you decide.

 

[golden&hovawart]

OP:I didn't read the whole thread but I do feel that the working group might not be the right dogs,for you.Have you thought of a retired greyhound,they dont shed much & make great companions.The black or brindle ones are gorgeous dogs.

 

[-bogart-]

OP:I didn't read the whole thread but I do feel that the working group might not be the right dogs,for you.Have you thought of a retired greyhound,they dont shed much & make great companions.The black or brindle ones are gorgeous dogs.

didnt miss much , i was rude some others where rude , pet rocks thrown in and new member feeling picked on and hurt , the usual , but the suggestion on the greyhound is a good one , they can make good apartment dogs , maybe chultu if you do want bigger an exracer would work. mellow in the house is a big plus i have heard.

 

[Doberluv]

What's wrong with having a dog to scare people away? As long as it doesn't actually bite or act aggressively toward people who aren't bad guys.... isn't that what dogs are for? I kind of suspected you were not meaning that you wanted to seriously frighten your neighbors. I don't know why people take everything so literally.

That said, I think your idea of a Doxie or Chi is a great one. I also think a Poodle might be a really nice and easy dog to own. (as long as it gets plenty of mental and physical exercise and plenty of early socialization) That is definitely my next dog if I get another dog. (or a Lagotto) Smart, easy to train, willing, spirited, beautiful gait, athletic, not tending toward dog aggression and a fun dog to do most anything with. And that wonderful hair! Or as someone mentioned, maybe an Airedale. I certainly adore my Chihuahuas...a great little breed.

I also can't tolerate this rigid intolerance for mistakes when we're all human and this mob-style criticism that is so common on this forum. It's rude, counter-productive, and incredibly inhospitable. And to imply that someone else doesn't love his dog genuinely, is wrong on so many levels. How does anyone know what someone else feels? Actions? Someone might take actions that aren't wise or are careless, but that doesn't necessarily equal a lack of genuine love. Who's assessment of love are we obliged to use? I never got that from the OP, that they weren't broken up over losing their dog.

They didn't get much time to find him a new home...24 hours. And yeah...I'd be pissed too if the neighbor wouldn't keep it between us rather than having to bring in the authorities when it really wasn't warranted. He (she?) was NOT pissed at the neighbor for being upset and asking for the vet bills to be paid.

So, I hope you will stay and ask questions when you need help. There are people who like to help with training advice and other matters. I'd say the majority. And also just to share and let us know what you decide, show pictures..whatever.

It wouldn't hurt to wait a little bit at least, just to give your mind a rest after losing your dog. Then you can re-evaluate better probably and make better choices. Best wishes.

 

[Cthulhu7]

OP:I didn't read the whole thread but I do feel that the working group might not be the right dogs,for you.Have you thought of a retired greyhound,they dont shed much & make great companions.The black or brindle ones are gorgeous dogs.

Yes, Erin and I actually were looking at Greyhounds and Iggys. I didn't like them, but I looked at some more pictures and they kind of grew on me. I think we'll go with a Chi or Dachshund though. Easy(ish), sweet, and small. Plus, no one ever complains about a weenie dog.

 

[Cthulhu7]

That said, I think your idea of a Doxie or Chi is a great one. I also think a Poodle might be a really nice and easy dog to own. (as long as it gets plenty of mental and physical exercise and plenty of early socialization) That is definitely my next dog if I get another dog. (or a Lagotto) Smart, easy to train, willing, spirited, beautiful gait, athletic, not tending toward dog aggression and a fun dog to do most anything with. And that wonderful hair! Or as someone mentioned, maybe an Airedale. I certainly adore my Chihuahuas...a great little breed.

Ugh. Having two people with completely different preferences sucks sometimes. I love mini poodles, Erin doesn't like them as much. She's had pitbulls in the past, and doesn't like "feminine" dogs. LOL. Airedales are sweet too, and I like the look of them. Erin doesn't want a dog that's going to look like Cthulhu.

I had to fight just to get Dachshunds as a consideration. She's pretty hooked on Chis. News to me.

 

[yoko]

I think you missed the part about "scaring neighbors" being a joke.

Here's the part I think you missed and if this comes out sounding mean I'm sorry I'm on my cell and typing is a pain.

There are quite a few people on here who have dedicated an insane amount of time to bully/guardian breeds who fight to get legitimate info about those breeds out to the public.

When you come on right after what happened to your dog and 'joke' about wanting one of those breeds and joke about that being the reason why ypu want them it is a giant slap in the face to a ton of people on here.

 

[golden&hovawart]

What about a Basenji?.Great breed,aloof,none barky but they do talk.

 

[Cthulhu7]

Here's the part I think you missed and if this comes out sounding mean I'm sorry I'm on my cell and typing is a pain.

There are quite a few people on here who have dedicated an insane amount of time to bully/guardian breeds who fight to get legitimate info about those breeds out to the public.

When you come on right after what happened to your dog and 'joke' about wanting one of those breeds and joke about that being the reason why ypu want them it is a giant slap in the face to a ton of people on here.

All I can say is fair enough. You make a really good point. I'm also the type who dislikes when people automatically assume a bully breed is some evil fight-dog, so I should have realized this right away.

 

[Cthulhu7]

What about a Basenji?.Great breed,aloof,none barky but they do talk.

They're also beautiful! They're not easy to find in Texas though. As far as I can tell there's not Texas Basenji rescues. Also, Erin and I are both adamant about adopting from shelters. Austin just went no-kill, so every dog adopted frees up a spot for another dog from a shelter that still euthanizes.

 

[Maxy24]

There are plenty of chihuahua and dachshunds (and mixes of them) in shelters, I'd look on petfinder and see who you like. I just wanted to warn you about puppies. Puppies are not clean slates, they come with their genetics. My mom wanted a puppy to "raise it right", he was fearful at ten weeks of age and aggressive to strangers by 4 months of age. His brother is the same, plus is dog aggressive (Tucker is dog reactive, but this developed recently and is more frustration than aggression). I will never get a shelter puppy again, only shelter adults because their genetic traits are usually evident by adulthood but not always in puppyhood, especially if the adult dog has been fostered. Plus puppies must be essentially "deprogrammed". They come doing all of the things you don't want...they bite, they use the house as a toilet, they destroy things, they will try "doggy" behaviors like digging and barking and jumping up and pulling on the leash. You spend the first two years teaching a dog not to act like a dog in many ways. When you adopt an adult there is a good chance they have already unlearned some of their doggy ways. If I had to name the most common behavior problems in shelter dogs it's jumping up and leash pulling, most shelter dogs are not aggressive and have never been abused or neglected. Plus with small breed puppies it is easy to under socialize and cause fear and aggression problems, it's harder to convince a dog less than a foot off of the ground that the giants among them are safe. If you are not certain you can socialize the heck out of a puppy an adult is safer. Just be realistic about the traits you want and don't want and know what to look for. Avoid dogs that are called nervous, shy, or slow to warm up if you don't want to deal with a potentially fearful dog. There's nothing wrong with wanting a "prefect" dog, there are millions out there, you can find the perfect one for you.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I bet a chi mix will be awesome.

 

[sassafras]

Don't expect a greyhound not to shed. Some don't, and some shed like an SOB.

 

[Doberluv]

Now what's this if not feminine? :rofl1:

Case in point. LOL!

No, I think a Chihuahua or Doxie would be a fine companion. And I've found my
Chi's to be very undemanding...a real joy to live with.

 

[YodelDogs]

Why not foster for a rescue group for a while? That way you don't pay anything, you can try on different dogs and breeds and gain some experience in handling without the 15 year commitment.

This ^