Which Dog For Me?
- Thread starter zaidoo
- Start date
Doverluv,
I really appreciate you have helped me so much and I owe you and others a lot so please don't think I haven't paid attention to what's been told by the knowledgeable staff. Ofcourse you have to realize if I started off with some desire or intention than it's also hard to change it completely. Maybe you can say I'll follow your terms upto 75% so I am listening!
So true.
Good. I, like the others are just concerned for your future as well as a dog's. Certain breeds are really not for inexperienced dog people. It's always best to start out with a companion dog, maybe a somewhat older dog from a shelter who desperately needs a home. And that way you have a pal....dogs are wonderful and loving animals. And they ask for so little and give so much. And you can practice training as you learn more from books and the Internet. Then down the road a ways, after having a long time to research, you could be ready then for a more difficult breed. You did indicate your available time for a dog and it just isn't enough, especially for a puppy and especially for a working breed pup, like a Doberman or GSD. Most of the bigger dogs need a ton of exercise or you'll have big problems. It's just that we are concerned that you're not thinking this through enough and are running off of emotions...the emotions that make you see this romantisized version of a dog. Puppies of any breed are hell sometimes. I'm not kidding. They are extremely demanding of time and know how.
You've been very nice, polite and appreciative. I just hope you did take it all in and will really think hard before you act....not only for you and your family's sake, but for a little dog who is innocent and would be terribly bewildered and hurt if it doesn't work smoothly. They are so precious and deserve someone who has all the right reasons for getting a dog.
I'm sure some of the things you said could have been misread or misinterpreted. That happens on the Internet a lot. Do keep in touch and hang around. You can learn more and get a good feeling for what people go through with their puppies and older dogs. We'd love you to stay and chat, ask questions, make comments. Hope you stay and post!
Good. I, like the others are just concerned for your future as well as a dog's. Certain breeds are really not for inexperienced dog people. It's always best to start out with a companion dog, maybe a somewhat older dog from a shelter who desperately needs a home. And that way you have a pal....dogs are wonderful and loving animals. And they ask for so little and give so much. And you can practice training as you learn more from books and the Internet. Then down the road a ways, after having a long time to research, you could be ready then for a more difficult breed. You did indicate your available time for a dog and it just isn't enough, especially for a puppy and especially for a working breed pup, like a Doberman or GSD. Most of the bigger dogs need a ton of exercise or you'll have big problems. It's just that we are concerned that you're not thinking this through enough and are running off of emotions...the emotions that make you see this romantisized version of a dog. Puppies of any breed are hell sometimes. I'm not kidding. They are extremely demanding of time and know how.
You've been very nice, polite and appreciative. I just hope you did take it all in and will really think hard before you act....not only for you and your family's sake, but for a little dog who is innocent and would be terribly bewildered and hurt if it doesn't work smoothly. They are so precious and deserve someone who has all the right reasons for getting a dog.
I'm sure some of the things you said could have been misread or misinterpreted. That happens on the Internet a lot. Do keep in touch and hang around. You can learn more and get a good feeling for what people go through with their puppies and older dogs. We'd love you to stay and chat, ask questions, make comments. Hope you stay and post!
Zaidoo.....I really respect and appreciate how calm you've remained while taking in all of our posts. That tells me that you will love and take great care of whatever breed you decide to go with.
We are all very passionate about our fur families on here and sometimes it reallys shows in a forceful way in our posts. We don't mean anything disrespectful by it at all.
I can tell by reading your replies that you've really taken in the advice that all have given to you, and I wish you luck in finding just the right addition to your family!!
We are all very passionate about our fur families on here and sometimes it reallys shows in a forceful way in our posts. We don't mean anything disrespectful by it at all.
I can tell by reading your replies that you've really taken in the advice that all have given to you, and I wish you luck in finding just the right addition to your family!!
Gustav is my first dog all of my own.... He's a White GSD x Ridgeback and it is easy to see both breeds within him... He would not be the sort of dog that a novice dog owner could handle, he is amazingly clever, instinctive, silly, boistrous, far too over the top at times and yet loving and loyal at the same time. He's made it very easy for me in so far as training, he seems to instinctively know what I am asking of him, I think if he wasn't so tuned into me it would be a totally different kettle of fish... He's hard work, we walk for HOURS everyday! Luckily I am with both dogs almost 24/7. I have a lifestyle that involves dogs at every moment.... I am a freelance horse trainer at the moment and my dogs are welcome anywhere I go because they are well trained, well socialised and obediant. I can only imagine what a nightmare it would be if my dogs were agressive towards other dogs and people, they would miss out on so much and their lives would be poorer because of it... I like the fact that my dogs are welcome to go anywhere with me.. Be it into shops, bars, cafes, restaurants.... Everyone knows my dogs and they have helped change a few peoples preconseptions about the GSD breed and dogs in general. This is what we are aiming for, there are no bad dogs, only bad owners!
I shudder to think what would happen if i'd trained Gus to be agressive.... A GSD has enough power and strength to kill a fully grown man... a child wouldn't stand a chance!!
And as for protection... Well I was out walking the dogs the other night along the river, and as Gus drew level with one guy who was fishing (everyone here knows how much Gus loves fishermen, and their picnics! LOL!) He stopped, his hackles went up and he started to growl... I would have never thought it possible, needless to say I got me and the dogs out of there sharpish! Even a well socialised dog will let you know if there is someone or something suspicious around! That instinct will always be there, even if you train them well!
I shudder to think what would happen if i'd trained Gus to be agressive.... A GSD has enough power and strength to kill a fully grown man... a child wouldn't stand a chance!!
And as for protection... Well I was out walking the dogs the other night along the river, and as Gus drew level with one guy who was fishing (everyone here knows how much Gus loves fishermen, and their picnics! LOL!) He stopped, his hackles went up and he started to growl... I would have never thought it possible, needless to say I got me and the dogs out of there sharpish! Even a well socialised dog will let you know if there is someone or something suspicious around! That instinct will always be there, even if you train them well!
Gustav. What you've done with your dog is the perfect example of how it should be. He sounds absolutely wonderful.... a regular, well socialized, happy dog who likes people, is in perfect tune with his environment and with you and because of that, he is able to discern when something isn't right. It stands out like a lightbulb to him. He is not confused about friends or friendly strangers. This is the perfect "protection" dog in my book. It's also the way my Doberman is. But it doesn't happen by spending 2 hours a day with the dog and being gone the majority of the time. Unless other people in the family are going to be working with this dog, taking him around every day, socializing him, working obedience with him, knowing how......taking him for exercise where he can run hard every day, he will likely turn out to be over-reactive, indiscriminately vicious or overly shy and timid, which can cause a fear biter. And then what happens? The dog ends up hurting someone and he also ends up having to be destroyed. The owner ends up with a huge law suit. It's a mess.