Puppy advice

[three]

T

because he is a behavioral scientist by training and teaches parenting classes based on behaviorism, but when it came to the dog... it all went out the window.

that's funny stuff.

I hope everything works out with the year old bully. Best wishes! *fingers crossed*

[fastdogs]

It's great that so much thought is going into getting a dog, wish everyone did that. You've got some great suggestions and ideas so far.
I have four dogs, I've had as many as eight at a time. I have always been away from home ten hours a day, when I was in the army sometimes 24 hour duty as well. I've always tried to set up a kennel situation for the time I'm gone, so the dogs can go indoors and outdoors. I don't like leaving them in a crate for that long, although I know people who do and it works well for them. I like them to be able to go lay in the sun on nice days. One difference, however, is they have other dogs to keep them company. The last pups I had I kept three of them, and they played and kept each other amused all day (the adults pretty much sleep all day). So more than one is an idea, although not recommended by trainers since the dog bonds to another dog and they need to be worked with separately for training. I'd love to be able to bring them to work, but I've never had that situation. A good doggie daycare is a good idea, as well as having someone you trust stop by and take the dog for a walk or play session during the day.
vickie

[kerrybelle]

Having had a Bullmastiff before, you know some of the potentially 'bad' characteristics/behaviors of them. If you do get one that turns out to be dog aggressive or has a high prey drive and then you come to the conclusion that having the dog isn't fair to him/her (not because of the behavior), you will have a harder time finding a good home for it.

You are right though the Bully is a great dog. Of course, I have one that is about to turn six. Best dog I've ever had, except for the drooling, of course. My Bully has a great disposition, very untypical of the breed, but I'm also very carefull with other dogs (more so, because I don't know about the other dogs). He loves people, though. I started him in training when he was 9 weeks old. He was diagnosed with Stenosis & 2 cysts all at C1 &C2, when he was almost 2. I don't want to injure him any more, so I've backed off the training.

Another breed that doesn't require a lot of room or excercise is the Great Dane.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Kerry

[Trek420]

Another breed that doesn't require a lot of room or excercise is the Great Dane.

I like mutts! You get the best of both (or multiple) breeds.

[Tuckervill]

I like mutts! You get the best of both (or multiple) breeds.

Yeah, me too! My new dog Lucy, who seems to be a cross between a Golden Retriever and an Airedale, has just blossomed into the best Golden personality EVER. And she learned how to fetch all by herself--just started bringing me stuff to throw. But she has the CUTEST terrier face I've ever seen...and no long hair!

I love my terrier mixes!

Wahine, good on ya for taking on a new dog. I hope you find the one that was really needing you.

Karen

[Wahine]

Having had a Bullmastiff before, you know some of the potentially 'bad' characteristics/behaviors of them. If you do get one that turns out to be dog aggressive or has a high prey drive and then you come to the conclusion that having the dog isn't fair to him/her (not because of the behavior), you will have a harder time finding a good home for it.

Another breed that doesn't require a lot of room or excercise is the Great Dane.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Kerry

My bully had problems with other dogs but only if they aggressed on him first, then he'd quite definitively show his dominence but never injured another animal. Having said that, when your 130 lb dog picks up the neighbor's yorkie in it's mouth, people can get upset. I worked with a trainer for 4 or 5 months to minimize this behaviour. That is part of the reason I was thinking of getting a puppy. I had no idea my adopted bully had this problem until one day, 5 months after we brought him home a small dog came running up to him, yapping away. I was thinking that I should be able to socialize the puppy better in decrease the chances of that type of behavior.

A great dane is a possibility, but once you get used to that expressive bully face, I don't know how you switch.

[Veronica]

What is about small dogs? People (their owners) seem to think their aggressive behavior is cute. I had one small dog come running out at me while I was on my bike the other day. The dog was on one of those way too long leashes. I saw it and went way out into the middle of the road to make sure I was away from it. The lady laughed as it lunged. I wish I had said something to her. What if I had had hit it? There could have been lots of damage to all involved.

People are so stupid sometimes.

Wahine it's hard to make a choice like this. We ultimately decided not to get another dog. Our lives have changed since we had Greta and it would be harder for us to raise a dog correctly now. Personally, I hope you decide to get a dog. I really miss having one and feel a little guilty because we would be good parents... I know you'll be a good dog mom. But don't let me pressure you.

V.

[Wahine]

What is about small dogs? People (their owners) seem to think their aggressive behavior is cute. I had one small dog come running out at me while I was on my bike the other day. The dog was on one of those way too long leashes. I saw it and went way out into the middle of the road to make sure I was away from it. The lady laughed as it lunged. I wish I had said something to her. What if I had had hit it? There could have been lots of damage to all involved.

People are so stupid sometimes.

Wahine it's hard to make a choice like this. We ultimately decided not to get another dog. Our lives have changed since we had Greta and it would be harder for us to raise a dog correctly now. Personally, I hope you decide to get a dog. I really miss having one and feel a little guilty because we would be good parents... I know you'll be a good dog mom. But don't let me pressure you.

V.

I honestly think that many (not all) small dog owners end up never properly training their dogs because it's just easier to pick them up and restrain them when they do the wrong thing. The bad part about that is that you can't always pick up or restrain. Don't even get me started. Every incident I ever had with that dog was with a small aggressive beast. My neighbor, immediately next door has a Jack Russel, it is very well behaved and good natured. 4 doors down are 2 aggressive Jack Russels and across the street are 2 aggressive Poms. Between these 4 dogs, I swear I'm going to hit the pavement one day on my bike.

[snapdragen]

My only dog bite was a mini dachshund right on the butt!

[kerrybelle]

My bully had problems with other dogs but only if they aggressed on him first, then he'd quite definitively show his dominence but never injured another animal. Having said that, when your 130 lb dog picks up the neighbor's yorkie in it's mouth, people can get upset. I worked with a trainer for 4 or 5 months to minimize this behaviour. That is part of the reason I was thinking of getting a puppy. I had no idea my adopted bully had this problem until one day, 5 months after we brought him home a small dog came running up to him, yapping away. I was thinking that I should be able to socialize the puppy better in decrease the chances of that type of behavior.

A great dane is a possibility, but once you get used to that expressive bully face, I don't know how you switch.

You're right early socialization will decrease that type of behavior, unfortunately, it may still pop up as they mature.

You're right about the bully face. There is no other dog with such an expressive face. I wouldn't trade mine for anything!

[Wahine]

Kerrybelle - I love the photo of your bully. Sooooooo sweet.

Here's a link with a photo of Tyson. The love of my life. Apart from DH of course.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showp...&postcount=227

[kerrybelle]

Kerrybelle - I love the photo of your bully. Sooooooo sweet.

Here's a link with a photo of Tyson. The love of my life. Apart from DH of course.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showp...&postcount=227

Oh, I love the brindles, especially the dark ones. He's gorgeous! I obviously missed you posting this before.

Casey was only 5 months old in that picture. Of course, he no longer fits in the recliner! Here's one when he was 2.

Good Luck again, with whatever you decide!