New and in need of advice

nedim

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#1
Hi everyone, I'm new to keeping dogs and would appreciate it if someone can answer a few questions for me. I have not yet purchased a dog as I would like to first do research.

1.) I live in Albany,NY, is it ok for my dog to be in the basement in the winter time?(The basement is heated and has lighting, its very big)

2.)Can someone suggest a dog that is ok with colder weather, but can acclimate to varying temperatures?

3.)How often should I bathe my dog, and with what?

4.) (This is sorta like the first question), is it ok for a dog to be an outside dog? We just moved and my parents arent too keen on the dog making a mess in the house.



Thanks to everyone who posted!
 
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#2
Welcome!

1.) I live in Albany,NY, is it ok for my dog to be in the basement in the winter time?(The basement is heated and has lighting, its very big)
Yes, but a dog should be apart of the family, too.

3.)How often should I bathe my dog, and with what?
I bathe my dogs once a month with dog shampoo.

4.) (This is sorta like the first question), is it ok for a dog to be an outside dog? We just moved and my parents arent too keen on the dog making a mess in the house.
Dogs can live outside, but they need to be apart of the family. If you go to your local shelter, you could probably find a good adult dog that is housetrained.
 

Saje

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#3
In addition to what Gaddy said I'd like to add that I just got an 8-month old puppy from the shelter and she is housebroken but still young and puppish. I think that's a great age for a lot of people who are just learning about dogs or don't have a lot of time for training. Older dogs are great too though. They don't have to be that old and they are always so thrilled to have a home
 

Saje

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#5
Generally most dogs shed, especially those that have a coat think enough to survive outside all year.
 

Purr

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#7
If you brush her every day though, you won't have to worry about shedding much. Welcome to the forums.

Personally, I don't believe in making a dog live outside. But, that's JMO. I think Saje is right; if you get an adult dog, she'll probably already be housebroken.
 

nedim

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#8
That website is so good. Ive been on for like the past hor deciding which dog is right for me and my living conditions.
 

Doberluv

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#10
I see that you're keen on getting a dog, excited and eager but that your parents' aren't. That is not such a good combination for a new dog. A dog, as it was said, needs to be included and part of the family, not relegated to the basement or stuck outside alone. They're pack animals and as such, need to be part of a "pack."

Albany New York, I know, gets very, bitterly cold. (I'm from N.J. originally) I know there are dogs who stay outside, such as Huskeys and other heavily coated dogs. For most domestic dogs, some of those temperatures would be downright dangerous, not to mention the intense summer heat. Heat stroke comes on easily to dogs.

I don't like it.... even just as far as them being seperated from their group. Perhaps you could persuade your folks to let you get an older dog from a shelter who is well house broken and has good house manners already, short haired so as not to make too much mess in the house...maybe a smallish sized dog...ie: (Chihuahua, Schnauzer, some other terrier type or mix) You can even find purebred dog rescues b.t.w.
 

Saje

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#13
Because it takes a long time for a puppy to learn how to hold it's pee. A rough guideline is that a puppy can hold it's pee for one hour for each of it's months. 1 month it can hold for 1 hour at two months for two hours...

so if you are gone all day it will mess in the house. And it's quite dangerous to leave a puppy outside
 

nedim

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#14
Oh, didnt know that. Do you know anyone whao has an "outside dog" and that lives in a colder region? How do they do it?
 

Saje

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#15
Well, I agree with what everyone has stated before. Dogs are pack animals and when you adopt a dog you become their pack. They are happiest when they are with you. And if your whole family doesn't support having a dog it usually makes the relationship worse. If they don't love the dog like you do they may make you get rid of it and that is heartbreaking.

So, I know that you love dogs and you want a dog but NOW might not be the best time for you. Will your parents be happy to pay the vet bills when he is sick or hurt? Will they research dog care and help you find the best dog food for your dog? Will they pay for you to take your dog to go to obedience classes or playschool? If he makes a mess in the house will they understand that this is NOT the dogs fault but the fault of the owners? that's right it is ALWAY the persons fault. The dog doesn't know what he isn't taught he only knows his natural instincts and his natural instincts say pull that steak off the counter and run away or dig up the flower beds or pee on dad's shoes.

My dog peed on me a couple weeks ago. How will your parents react to that happening? We have a whiny dog that will stare at you and whine and whine just hoping he gets up on the bed... attention... outside... inside.... treats... some other unknown thing. It gets annoying. How will your parents/family react to that? Are they patient people? Will they try and find the source of the problem or will the give up on the dog?

That being said. One of my dogs loves to be outside. He's allowed inside whenever he wants but he usually chooses to be outside. Every night we wait at the door for him to come in but usually he just looks at us from wherever he's sleeping and doens't want to come in. He is a winter/water dog and has TONS of hair, sheds a LOT, is always hot and would not be happy in warmer regions. BTW he's also HUGE

I would not force any dog to sleep outside all by himself. It's not natural for dogs to live alone. And, really, what's the point of having a dog if you don't want it to be a part of your family?
 
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#17
Hi! My dogs are outside dogs, and here is what I do with them.
They have a kennel along the east side of our house. It is a nice sized kennel (I think somewhere about 6 by 12ft or something like that....not sure though) and we have the dog houses faced so that wind can't blow in them.
During the winter months we put straw in the dog's houses. During the summer time, I have a kiddy pool in the kennel for them. And also during the winter, if it gets below 10F (or if it is just really cold outside), they get to come inside and sleep. (And if it is really hot out, the come into the garage.)
I always make sure they have fresh water, and they also have a table in the kennel that they can jump up on or lay under for some shade. They get an 30min to an hour walk depending on the weather in the morning, and a 30min to an hour walk/run in the evening. Also, if we are outside during the afternoon, I'll have them out.
Personally, if you are just going to have one dog, I would hate to see it outside. Blackie (my oldest dog) would be ok outside by himself, but Rose (Blackie's daughter) would be whining, digging, barking, chewing, you name it, if she was left outside by herself. It really just depends on the dog.
And definatly do NOT chain your dog. That is very dangerous for the dog. If it has to be outside by itself, make sure you will have three hours to spend with it at the very least. It would probably be best to spend 4-5 hours with it.
I spend about 3-4 hours with my dogs daily, but they have each other to keep them company.
Anyways, I would type a bit more, but my mom wants me off of the computer. So TTFN!
 

Kesh

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#18
Granted this is a long time ago, but i have always been a dog person and when I was twelve my mom surprised me with a dog without telling my dad. My mom didn't know anything about dogs, and my dad was against it. My mother had ti give the dog away a year later and I still feel guilty about it. You should not get a dog until you know you will be able to take care of it. When I was a senior in high school my sister and I each got a dog. I ended up taking responsobility for both of them, and one is still with me, and I can tell you that it was challenging to find an apartment that would accept dogs and a decent portion of my student loans went to care for them. It really would be a lot better at this juncture in your life if your whole family is supportive, because it is alot of work and a long term commitment.
 

bubbatd

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#19
I feel for you > I see you're 14 and don't blame you for wanting a dog. I do agree with the other posts....I don't think it would be fair for a dog not to be part of your family. BUT !!!! At 14 you can write up an agreement with your folks and sign it, and make them sign it. ( I used to make my kids do this) . State what you will do (feed/brush/walk/ VACUUM & wipe up paw prints.etc etc. and what they'll do..let you have it sleep in your room/ not complain when you do your part etc etc . I agree get a family friendly housebroken dog. Keep us posted !!!! You sound respective and we'll help you all we can..
 

nedim

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#20
Thanks for all the advice, guys. I like the ideas and respect the critiscism. Pertaining to the last post, I plan on being the dog's sole "owner"(though I like to think of myself more so a friend..) Anyways, I will be doing ALL the work around my new buddy. I even built a new doghouse with three layers of insolation,plus shingles. I will even pay the bills as I am looking for a job currently and expect to find one soon. I have no problem with the mess as I am willing to clean it up. As for the excercise the dog needs, I am an active person and go for long bike rides with my friends, and go for a relaxing walk after school whenever I can. I will try to talk my parents into letting my dog stay inside(as I would really like a bulldog, but they are climate sensitive), but I dont see that happening any time soon. I will keep posting with updates, wish me luck.
 

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