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.
Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 9:26am
Ok, we have an appointment with a foster family today for a beagle who is male and 5 years old. I think the age is perfect and he has all his shots and everything is taken care of. I just hesitate because of the whole dog humping thing! I'm worried he'll try to hump everything in sight and that is why I don't want a male dog. However, his picture is precious and the age would be PERFECT! Any one have male humping dog stories to warn me about or not?
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2007
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 9:33am

We had a beagle once - a male, but we got him as a puppy.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 10:10am

LOL I don't have a male dog humping story but have a female humping story, does that count? My two pugs are female, and she humps the other one for some reason! Their both fixed and the only thing I can figure out is that it's a dominance thing.

Also, my sister has a female yorkie and she used to hump a Taz houseshoe belonging to my neice! It was hilarious!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 10:18am

About humping.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2006
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 10:35am
If the dog was fixed at the right time than excessive humping is a attempt to establish dominance, nothing more or less. So the only way to correct this is to then step in consistently and establish yourself as the dominant one. Also, sometimes they just do it at first to establish they are higher up on the ladder than whatever it is they are humping. Then once they have settled onto the correct rung of the ladder, they settle. You might expect a bit of posturing like this in the beginning while the dog learns its place but I would suspect it would only be temporary. it is natural for them to test in the beginning to figure out where they stand. If you are always consistent about being the one who is in charge, everything should be ok.
We have a beagle mix on the first floor who barks and howls a bit but not excessively. He is very friendly and even puts up with my Mastiff without a fear aggression reaction. So my experience with beagles has been pretty impressive so far.
I hope it works out!!
Lilypie - Personal picture
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 11:01am

Be sure to ask the foster family about the barking if you live in an apartment. I have seen beagles that bark a LOT and also ones that are quiet/shy.

The humping is more of a dominance thing - my two do it sometimes when they are rough housing and I say stop and they do - this is not that often. And they were neutered very young. They have never done that to people.

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 11:05am
They told me he tried it with their kitten and I almost fell off the couch in stitches! LOL. And when he tried it with their other two cats, he got a ear full of cat! LOL
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 11:07am
That is just a typical dominance thing - dogs do that constantly. Does he get along with the cats? That is pretty cool they have them - it is like a cat test before you start!! I can't imagine the cats would encourage THAT sort of thing!! LOL!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2007
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 12:23pm
My friend had an Australian Shepard (female) that used to try to "herd" our kids by humping whoever was closest to her!

April

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2006
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 1:31pm

My female rabbits used to do that humping thing a lot. They were always fighting to be Queen Bunny. Our dog was neutered so young he doesn't even lift his leg to pee. LOL. He rarely tries that humping thing with anyone. I'll have to watch him when he's finally around D3 a lot. I keep them separate now since he knocks he over and was showing a bit too much jealousy. I never wanted to have pets and small children, we got the dog when S16 was 10 and I thought I was done having kids. Oh well, I just have to cope with the needy dog who is missing all the attention he used to get from me.

QueenBun