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.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 11:21am
An older dog would be good if you don't want to go through the training and all. The only thing I would be somewhat concerned about is the travel that you do (that's the impression that I get from your various posts about your job). Will you be home enough or are your girls home enough to give it the attention it needs? I think dogs need a lot more attention than cats.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 12:37pm

I put pepper on the fringe.


I read this as: I put pepper on the 'fridge.

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 12:41pm
Good point on the travel, but I don't travel tooo often. Once
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 12:47pm

Wow; I just had a misconception blown away - that small dogs could eat more than large dogs.


There's another misconception, that large dogs are mellower than small ones.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 12:52pm

<<<>>>>>

If it's well behaved you can take it with you.

Now, my two pugs on the otherhand, I have not done well with training as far as car manners and one especially just goes beserk when someone comes to our house. She's gets so excited that someone's come to see her. All in all, it takes like 10 minutes for her to calm down. The other one gets excited but calms down quicker.

My best friend has a golden lab mix and she takes this big ole dog with her just about everywhere she goes. He's a big goofy sweetheart of a dog. I just love him! I'll also add that she got him from Adopt-A-Pet day and PetSmart.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 12:59pm
I have to agree Soonee, I think it definitely depends on the dog. I also think when it comes to personalities...a lot depends on what kind of raising they had.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2007
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 1:00pm

I so understand the visitor issue... when someone comes to our house my dogs act as if they've been shut in a dark room for months and this is the first time anyone has given them any attention!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 1:15pm

One of the huge advantages of adopting a dog from a rescue group (a pure-bred group at least) is that the dog has been fostered in someone's home for a few months.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 2:21pm

I was reading some kind of dog article one time on different ways people scold their dogs and the trainer that wrote the aritcle was talking about popping a dog with a rolled up newspaper because the dog had puddled in the house.

The trainer told the owner that the next time the dog puddled in the house to take the rolled up newspaper and hit themselves over the head and say to themselves "Don't let that happen again." It happens because the owner is not being responsible enough to see to their dogs well being. Most dogs cant open the door and let themselves out their owners have to do that. Although my friends dog, the one I was speaking of earlier, has found out how to open her refrigerator door! She's having a time right now. LOL

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2007
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 3:48pm

Dogs ARE a huge responsibility.