Need advice from dog lovers....

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Need advice from dog lovers....
49
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 8:06pm
I'm really considering a dog. And want some advice on how much vet bills usually run a month? $100? I really want a dog, although I know that might cause some issues if I have to go out of town, but maybe it won't be so bad if I can get an estimate from a few of you.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2004
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 8:12pm

Be careful where you get your dog.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2007
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 8:38pm

We have two dogs... like the op said, they tend to be happier with another furry being around that they can interact with.

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 8:52pm
I'm looking at two different kinds. A golden lab or a mini german shepard. Both are adorable and 6 months old. I have cats so both owners said they were good with cats. I hope they are right. Would it be bad of me to ask them if I could test them out with my kids and cats?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 10:03pm

I think you should definitely ask to test them out. That is a good idea.

I guess the size of the dog matters with price - the bigger they are, the more they eat! I think I pay around $300 per dog per year for shots, heartworm medicine and flea/tick preventive. Then there is food at $50 per month, grooming at $40 per dog, the petsitter and the treats and toys. And the things they chew which in our house has included umpteen cell phones, shoes, dog bones, sunglasses, stuffed animals and other stuff I have forgotten at this hour - but that was before they turned 2 - they are a little better now.

Once we did have a rather large bill when one got sick.

The thing that is okay for us is we have 2 so they don't get lonely - they are pack animals - and they do need to go to the bathroom during the day - not as easy as cats for sure. But a lot of fun for us.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 12:32am

Size matters!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 2:34am

I dont care what they cost, they are WORTH IT!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 6:06am

This is very true - good points about the larger dogs. And yes, mine are tall enough to reach the top of the kitchen counter with ease - that is how they can get a cell phone.

One day I was taking a nap and I heard the camera button go off on the phone - got up and looked and the big black puppy was chomping on it just like it was a bone!!!! I think I was eligible for an upgrade so was okay on that round. The last phone I had to get off ebay. It happens like once or twice a year and when I forget and leave the phone some place stupid.

They do need a lot of exercise. The black one is too big and heavy to run and keep up with me so DS runs and walks him. But the little red one can run for miles so he goes with me.

I read somewhere that a well behaved dog comes from proper training- which I read a lot of books for amichien bonding and the things that keep them from becoming the alpha dog of the pack. AND the exercise to mellow them out. So generally we do all of this and have good days.

We do have a big yard and I am home all day and you know I am always running - so all that helps a lot. I think they mellow out a lot with age, too.

One thing we did when they were puppies - I took up all the area rugs and did not put those down until they turned 2. I put pepper on the fringe. So those are fine - like brand new. But the carpet in the house had to be replaced from the accidents. It was old and I knew I was going to replace it anyway so I did have that expectation. Two big dogs can make a mess!

I was wondering - if all that would work on a guy? LOL!!!!

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 9:00am
ok, so what are the thoughts of an already housetrained older dog. Maybe a year or two? I don't want everything chewed up. :( But I really want a dog and mainly an inside one. I don't like having the animals outside when it gets too cold or hot. My kitties are inside as well. How do you keep them from chewing? Or what is the best way to train them to be housebroken? My cats created a HUGE mess with my brand new carpet. Soooo, its pretty simple to say that I will have to replace it all when I move out of my apartment. I just don't want cabinets chewed on anything else from the apartment. We are moving in a few months and the reason I want to get a dog now, is to have him used to us before we move someplace else.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2006
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 9:53am
Hi. I have an English Mastiff who is HUGE and still growing. We think he will be close to 200 lbs when he is grown. We are obsessed with him so the obsession costs a lot but the dog itself doesnt really in comparison. As rebecca said, the normal vet costs I think are fine. It is the other stuff if you choose to do it that adds up. We buy very high end food on line and have it shipped and he is spoiled with toys and collars and you name it. We also run a 125 member mastiff dog group here in the city so we have pretty much totally lost our minds. We had a meetup yesterday for them and there were 30 of them racing around. Like horses. lol
Anyhow, heres the thing I wanted to contribute. Some larger breeds do not cost more in the way you think. They do cost more for meds sometimes because they charge meds by the lbs of dog. So if there was ever a real problem I might get screwed on that one. But for example, Monty eats 3-4 cups of dry food a day. It is very high end food but still he doesnt eat any more than that because his breed is the LAZIEST of all. The bigger ones sometimes are this way. Danes are lazy as are retired greyhounds. So the bigger ones dont always need more space or yard. They might enjoy a yard or a lot of house but mine just lies at my feet all day while I work and he doesnt like to take long walks or be very active and he has been this way since he was a pup. So think about what your activity level is and then keep in mind that size doesnt determine activity. Also, if they are lazy and big they dont eat as much as you think so the food bill isnt higher. My father's yorkie eats more than my mastiff does and I am not kidding. Of course the yorkie has a very active day scheduled since he yips and yips and runs around and checks everyone out and races from window to window. Monty just lies there.
My meetup group is great for dog sitting and kenneling. We never do either anymore and never have had to really because we all help each other out. I think being part of a group like this is also a great social thing for meeting people so for al who have a dog, there are cute guys at meetup. Just go to meetup.com and type in an interest. I am not looking as you know but I saw at least two guys at my meetup yesterday that could have easily gotten my number a few years ago. It is also a great resource for support and info and just fun in general for the dogs. And most are FREE. You can see my page I think at http://largedog.meetup.com/21/. Some pages are private to members but you will get the idea.
Lilypie - Personal picture
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2007
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 10:59am

An older dog may be a good idea... of course he may need a little refresher on housebreaking.

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