Puppy advice

[shadon]

if the dog were at home for long periods, would a dog walker be an option? It would give him a break and he'd have the opportunity to have a relationship with another human.

I walk a golden retriever three nights a week while his humans work in the resturant industry. Dog gets a nice walk mid evening, and we've become quite fond of one another. When I meet him on the street (he lives right next door), he does his happy dance to see me. I think it's a great solution to being home alone for a long time.

[Wahine]

If the dog was at home DH or a neighbor would take it out for an amble, if it was with me I'd take it out at lunch and on breaks.

Doggie day care isn't available unfortunately. But I have lots of retired friends that might be able to do some care giving if needed. The good thing is that I live in a very dog friendly town.

so I'm just hanging tight now, waiting for the right dog to find me.

[three]

I was researching dog rescues in your area, and one site led me to another. I got stuck on this one because of all the cute faces. I know she's a bit of a ways from you (but, not TOO far)..and oh my cuteness! Little Mystique in WA...look at that face! So cute (and crate-trained!)

http://bullmastiff.us/rescue/availRescue.html

[Wahine]

Three, thank you so much for that. I actually already looked up Mystique. But unfortunately I would be afraid to have her at my place due to the neighbor's dog and cat that frequently come into the yard. She has some significant issues with smaller animals. She's been looking for a home for a while now.

That was very sweet of you to point her out.

[farrellcollie]

Slightly off topic of puppy getting advice for you - but have you read Jane and Michael Stern's book - Two Puppies:Being the Authentic Story of Two Very Different Young Dogs, One Who Is Virtuous and Goes on to a Life of Service, the Other Born to Be Naughty

It is about their bullmastiff puppy (the naughty dog) and a service labrador pup.


When my 12 yr old and 2 yr old dogs were pups - I paid college students to study at my house so they (the dogs) would only be crated for short times. I also used the system of a closed crate - then crate and one safe room ,then crate and house system where crate was closed when they were young - then open crate in room with gate - then crate in house because my dogs liked their crates even when they could be elsewhere.

[Wahine]

No I haven't. I may have to check it out.

And what exactly are you trying to say? (she says with a teasing tone)

[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!

[Wahine]

That photo is great, complete with a little drool out the left side of his mouth.

I love the brindles too. It's part of the reason I got excited about the litter I was talking about, she has 4 brindle puppies that are still available. They would be soooooo cute. I don't dare even go see them now that I've pretty much decided that a puppy would be too hard to manage.

[spokewench]

I'm probably going to get blasted here, but I'm going to say it anyway. I don't think anyone gone for 10 hours a day should have any kind of dog! It is not fair to the dog

spoke

[Wahine]

I agree Spoke. That's why I was trying to find out how other people had managed bringing dogs to work with them. There is no way I would leave a dog alone for 10 hours. I'm trying to figure out a way that I can bring a dog to work with me for the times that my husband is not home or can't take care of it. Right now he's not working but he might get a part time job.

If I don't have a way to manage the situation without leaving the dog for long periods, I won't be having a dog. As it stands, my employers are supportive as long as I can mange it such that the dog is not disruptive to the work environment. I was originally thinking I would have to bring a puppy in every day with me because my husband did not want to be saddled with puppy rearing. But now that I'm thinking more on the lines of an adult dog, he's more receptive.

Thanks for voicing your opinion, it's a very good point.

[kdskaggs]

Hi,

One thing to consider in bringing a puppy to work is that if your gym sells food of any type, it may be against health code to have a dog in the building. This is the case at the gym I train at.

Also, it seems really unfair to bring a puppy into a home where one of the adults doesn't want puppy responsibility and the other works a lot. Puppies need A LOT of attention and care. To believe that a puppy may not be disruptive when in a break room is a lot to expect. My sister has Mastiff's as well and they like to chew and potty everywhere like most pups do. Another option might be to take the pup to doggie daycare during the day so it is well cared for and even potty and obedience trained. Pups don't train themselves so this could be really helpful for you because it doesn't sound like you have the time to take the pup to a classes. I did this for a few weeks while we lived in a motel during construction of our house. It was extremely helpful and my puppy loved it too.

If you have never had a puppy before, you might have unrealistic expectations about potty training -- it's not fun at all and can take as little as a few weeks and up to a year to accomplish. Pups need to go out several times an hour before they understand why they are going out at all. It seems as soon as you take them out and bring them back in, they tinkle on the floor. They are like human babies, they need love and training. I have a saying that it's a good thing puppies are so cute because if they weren't no one would want one because they are so much work! That said, I have two Goldens that are thankfully well beyond the puppy stage and very well trained in obedience. When they get a few years older, I'll be getting a third.

Good luck on your decision and if you have any training questions, feel free to ask.

Kenda

[divingbiker]

I'm probably going to get blasted here, but I'm going to say it anyway. I don't think anyone gone for 10 hours a day should have any kind of dog! It is not fair to the dog

spoke

There are ways to make it work. I always have more than one dog, so they keep each other company. And I have a dog walker come every day at noon to take them for a long walk. My dogs seem happy, and they sleep all day anyway.

I agree that no dog should be left alone for 10 hours.

[Wahine]

So here's where things stand

a) I've pretty much given up on the puppy thing

b) If I got a dog (ie adult) it would stay home when there was someone to take care of it, like my husband and/or neighbors

c) I don't see needing to take it to classes, I've trained several adult dogs for advanced obedience and am well grounded in behavioural techniques, I would do the training in the evenings or when I have time during the day.

d) at times when there was no one to help at home the dog would go to a sitter or come with me to work (I don't work at a gym, I work at a PT clinc but we have a gym area with lots of room where I could keep the dog during working hours while I am with clients, between clients or while doing paper work the dog could hang out directly with me in my office.)

e) part of the reason I'm choosing a bullmastiff is that they tend to sleep anywhere from 10 to 18 hours per day, have low exercise and grooming needs.

f) bullmastiffs can have aggression issues - especially with other dogs, I'm aware of this (I have owned one before that had some issues) and am willing to take the necessary precautions should something like this arise.

Am I still missing something?