Tell me why I shouldn't get a dog.

[mondo joe]

I'm weakening.

I want a nice standard poodle, and I'd look to get one through a rescue association.

I fear this is just an expression of some nesting urge resulting from the winter, and that come summer I'll wonder what the hell I was doing.

But today I stopped in a pet supply place and was eyeing collars...

[Scout1071]

1. Sounds like you are ready. Go for it.

Dogs are great companions and just generally nice to have around. Sure, they take a lot of work, but like all good things - they are worth it.

[Drum]

2. Why not just start with the collar?

See how it fits, wear it around the house at first before going out for walks? If that isn't really satisfying, then go ahead and add the dog.




Kidding, of course...good luck with whatever you choose...:hi:

[mondo joe]

7. Now THAT is a solution! Thanks!! nt

[LeftyMom]

3. If you're not 100% foster one, and maybe you could do foster-to-adopt if you're into it

and if you decide that you really don't have permanent room in your life for a dog or really need to look into another breed, you've still done some good. :)

[Sanity Claws]

24. Excellent idea!

Dogs are a big commitment. You have to walk them at least twice daily, otherwise they will use their energy to tear up your house. If you have a back yard, you can let the dog use it as a bathroom and so you don't have to walk out in the middle of the night if the dog gets the urge to go. However, you will have to clean it up later.
Some dogs have dominance issues which means you have to continually do things to make sure they learn they are not the alpha, you are. For example, you have to eat before the dog does. You have to enter the house before the dog does.
I had a dog for nine years before he died. To be frank, if I had known what I was getting myself into when I first adopted him, I don't think I would have done it. A few years after his death, I decided to get into my local shelter's foster program and I ended up fostering three dogs. It didn't take long for me to remember that I really did not want to be tied down to taking care of a dog. Instead, I adopted two cats and we've lived happily ever after.

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Because they stink, the slobber, the chew, and they annoy guests

and they cost money to keep and they get their fuckin' hair into everything and whenever you want to go away, you gotta find someone to take care of it, unless you're one of those tactless idiots who thinks that when you are invited to someone's home the invitation extends to your dog(s).

On the other hand, they're good companions, cute, and loving.

[retread]

14. Why is annoy guests a negative? n/t

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. Sorry. I'm from that old school that believes in being polite.

I should, I suppose, someday enter the Brave New World of self-centeredness, but it is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.

I've long followed the rule that I don't invite people over unless I actually want them here; and thus, annoying guests would be a bad thing.

I'm just old school, though.

[Broken_Hero]

15. Don't forget

that they can bark at all hours, keeping you awake...and the whining of little puppies, is probably the most irritating sound on the planet...if a alarm clock manufactorer put a puppy dog whine as a means to wake people up, people would be breaking their alarms twice a week...

[hatredisnotavalue]

5. Research the breeds first...

My s-in-law loved Jack Russell terriers without researching their personality. Big mistake. If it was me, I would get a golden retriever.

[mondo joe]

6. I did. My next door neighbors have a great rescued Standard Poodle.

I did more research beyond just knowing him.

I think I'm smitten.

[hatredisnotavalue]

9. Two words: do it

My life has been so much richer given the dogs I have known. :)

[mondo joe]

10. We even talked today about having the two dogs hang out with each other

during workdays so they won't be lonely. Even though I'm not getting a dog! (To which my neighbor shouted "Liar!")

[hatredisnotavalue]

12. LIAR! n/t :)

[BrotherBuzz]

8. No way I would talk you out of adopting a standard poodle rescue dog.

Excellent choice of breed. They don't shed, either. Go for it!

[femmocrat]

11. I wouldn't do that, unless you don't have the time to care for it.

Standard poodles are very smart and need lots of attention. They are easily trained but like most breeds, need training and interaction. Can you do that?

[chknltl]

13. The Dog Whisperer

I have lately become a big fan of Cesar Millan, aka "The Dog Whisperer".
http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/
Mr Milan provides excellent education to dog owners in my opinion. I recommend him to anyone thinking of becoming a dog owner as well as anyone who owns or lives around dogs. (His shows on the National Geographic Channel are also highly recommended). Mr Millan's advice has made life so much better for my pet and I.

[MoseyWalker]

17. they poop

all the time

[Shine]

18. Sorry, I'm not gonna do it. If a dog makes you happy and brings you joy

then go for it!! You are making it more real by looking in a pet supply store. Good for you! That's how it works. :D

Have fun, and enjoy life! It's great to share love with a beloved pet. :thumbsup:

My two cents....

[TheCentepedeShoes]

19. We have a standard

We got him from a local breeder when we were living in Florida.
Standards are the smartest, bestest doggies in the world.
They don't shed and don't get doggie smell. Ours is almost 6 years old, needs grooming about every 8-10 weeks at about $45. 'Course he needs the flea/tick, heartworm and annual shots. They need exercise, walking, playing ball, running in open space. Ours can play more here in the summer in the TX panhandle with the lower humidity than he could in Florida. He's very protective with the house, always alert to what is going on beyond the windows and doors, yet never aggressive toward anyone who is invited in by his "parents."
We'd never have another kind of dog.
Sad note : we lost his veterinarian last summer in a motorcycle accident.

[texanwitch]

20. Borrow a dog first if you know somebody that has a dog.

Doggysit for a weekend and see how it goes, dogs are great but they are like children.

I love my dog very much but I am not free just to take off, if my housemates are out of town due to their jobs my neighbors look after the dog and the cats.

[Kali]

21. When I was a kid the neighbors got a standard poodle - at first I made fun of my friend

for his foo foo dog (yes "lion cut") but then he showed me how she could drag boards and old christmas trees across the desert for our fort. :rofl: If his mom only knew....

[xchrom]

22. ...

The Best Part About Owning A Dog...
 ... is the way he will come over to see me,
 for no reason, just to let me know I'm
 important to him
 ... is the way he is always ready to lick the
 jelly off my nose...
 ... is the way he looks into my eyes and finds
 contentment in simply being near me
 ... is the way he will run all over the yard,
 fetch a soggy tennis ball and bring it back
 to me as if to say "look mom, it's all have,
 but it's yours
 ... is the way he wakes me up in the morning by pushing
his cold wet nose in my ear and snuffing loudly
 ... is the way he shreds toilet paper all over the house,
 because it's fun even though he knows he shouldn't
 ... is the way he's sure he can catch the ducks in the
lake today...
 ... is the way he comes over to me when he is sad
 ... is the way he wedges himself near me when I am sad and
push all others away, to console me with his love
 ... is the way he pounces on crickets in the backyard
 ... is the way he looks perplexed when they escape
 ... is the way he is terrified of the evil pink hula hoop
 ... is the way he doesn't mind how much of that horrid
perfume I'm wearing just because it was a gift from
my relative who's visiting
 ... is the way he doesn't care about bad hair day or
 overdue bills
 ... is the way he loves you, even when you are impatient
with him and have no time this morning for a game
of tug-a-war
 ... is the way his coat feels like liquid silk under
 my fingers
 ... is the way he finds wisdom beyond words

Unknown

[NC_Nurse]

23. If you travel a lot or

don't have the time to put into training and exercising him. Otherwise, why not? :)

[dropkickpa]

25. Because...

it might decide to eat an entire box of blueberry pancake mix, not in the kitchen (tile) where said box was found, but in the living room on the area rug (yes, this did happen!!).

Seriously, do fostering first, they are a lot more work than you think, just like a kid. I cannot imagine my life without a dog, though, they have always been such an integral part of my life.