Having a pet and training questions

[denny]

I It sounds like you had a dog before, did that work out ok?
vickie

Vickie- I've had a Shi-Tzu before. I had 10 + hour work days back then which resulted in a very anxious dog when I came home. I tried the poop on the paper method, but you're correct, it caused some confusion at times. I would feel horribly guilty even if she had the run of the house in my absence because of the limited time issue once I got home. We would walk/run the neighborhood for about 20 mins in the morning and evening so she was well excercised. In the end I gave her to a friend under a joint custody arrangement.

The difference between then and now is primarily that I will have an 8 hour day and a better handle on how to house break that breed (they can be pretty notoriously hard to train) but they are the sweetest, most charming breed on the planet. Yes, I am biased. :-0

Now as of this evening, I think I talked myself out of it for the simple reason that I plan to adopt an infant later in the year and most friends are advising to take one thing at a time, baby first then dog after (no not a man ;-) especially if I will be doing it on my own. It might be a good idea as the whole process may become overwhelming at times. So I'll err on the side of caution for now.

Sighhhh.... still miss my first Shi-Tzu though.


Thanks to all for your wonderful advice. Still thinking about the doggy treadmill though. LOL!

[Pedal Wench]

Vickie- I've had a Shi-Tzu before. I had 10 + hour work days back then which resulted in a very anxious dog when I came home. I tried the poop on the paper method, but you're correct, it caused some confusion at times. I would feel horribly guilty even if she had the run of the house in my absence because of the limited time issue once I got home. We would walk/run the neighborhood for about 20 mins in the morning and evening so she was well excercised. In the end I gave her to a friend under a joint custody arrangement.

The difference between then and now is primarily that I will have an 8 hour day and a better handle on how to house break that breed (they can be pretty notoriously hard to train) but they are the sweetest, most charming breed on the planet. Yes, I am biased. :-0

Now as of this evening, I think I talked myself out of it for the simple reason that I plan to adopt an infant later in the year and most friends are advising to take one thing at a time, baby first then dog after (no not a man ;-) especially if I will be doing it on my own. It might be a good idea as the whole process may become overwhelming at times. So I'll err on the side of caution for now.

Sighhhh.... still miss my first Shi-Tzu though.


Thanks to all for your wonderful advice. Still thinking about the doggy treadmill though. LOL!

WOOOHOOOO!!! That's so cool!!!! Congrats, good luck, good for you, and just, wow! What a wonderful thing to do! Definitely, baby first, dog later!