Totally OT -- dogs, need advice?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2005
Totally OT -- dogs, need advice?
9
Mon, 08-25-2008 - 9:19am

I have lost my mind....and am thinking of getting a dog (we'd get a pup).  I'm looking for some breed advice.  I've started doing some research and so far am looking at Cairn Terrier, West Highland White Terriers, and some type of mutt.  My reservations on a mutt are that I want something SMALL, and given a choice I'd prefer to "meet" the parents and see their temperaments.


We have 3 kids (4.5, 7, and 8.5) so it has to be a dog that's good with kids.  I want a SMALL dog (20 lbs or less at full grown).  We have a fenced yard, and while I do work PT, I work from home, so the dog wouldn't be alone all day while I'm gone.  In a few years, I might end up back at work, so that could be an issue.  We plan to crate train, and use a crate while we're not home.


I don't want a beagle/hound as we had them growing up and while they're totally loveable with kids, they're prone to howl and bay...which I so totally don't want to do.  If I could find a 15 pounds lab I'd take it!


Any advice???

Jennifer


Overall Progress

 


 

Jennifer


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2006
Mon, 08-25-2008 - 9:43am

How exciting!!


I never had a dog until about 4 years ago!! My kids begged and pleaded for years and I gave it years worth of thought. When I finally realized that no matter how committed to a dog they might think they would be, it would ultimately be MY dog and MY responsibility. I was ready for it!


I did a lot of research into breeds; I also wanted a small dog. My oldest daughter is allergic

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Mon, 08-25-2008 - 11:01am

Hi,


My situation was a lot like Karens.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2006
Mon, 08-25-2008 - 1:22pm

Cathy,


Any tips on:


But she's trained to stop barking on command.


Daisy barks when the doorbell rings, when anyone enters or leaves the house, or if strangers come in. Even when she stops barking at a new person in the house, she starts again with any quick movement on their part (which kids and teens tend to do alot).

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Mon, 08-25-2008 - 5:15pm

Karen,


I went with Coco to the St. Hubert's Giralda Farms for training.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2007
Mon, 08-25-2008 - 5:47pm

Guide Dogs also teaches its trainees a fabulous, all purpose command: "That's enough".

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2006
Mon, 08-25-2008 - 7:08pm

My dogs are 90 & 78 lbs., so probably not the breed you want ;-)


A couple of things to think about too, how much time you want to spend grooming, and how much activity-energy you are willing to handle.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2006
Mon, 08-25-2008 - 9:01pm

Makes sense. We did puppy preschool with her, but didn't continue on to the basic obedience course. So we learned sit, stay, lay down & come. I guess we should have continued....


There's a local guy who used to train dogs for the army and state police...he is amazing; I should really consider going back.


Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Mon, 08-25-2008 - 10:00pm

Daisy is probably young enough and that sounds like it would be helpful for you.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Tue, 08-26-2008 - 6:04am

Also check with local veterinarians. My American BIL is a veterinarian and is often given pure bred puppies that people buy before really knowing what it takes to train a puppy. Two of my friends got West Highland terriers from him.


Patri