Talk me out of getting another dog

[mahina]

How do you think about increased trip hazards v joy in life for a dog?

Me: not a kid anymore.

My dog: Super fast. Also super smart, sweet, a rescue, very loving but he gets excited and he just keeps going. Was lucky he came back out of that gully in Haiku Valley last week when he figured out how to go for a wander. That was a close one.

I’ve tripped over his leash on walks and he’s walked right in front of me, causing a near miss a few times.

He is by himself when I’m at work and I’m sure he would be happier if he had a pal here at home.

Thanks DU brains!

[if..fish..had..wings]

1. No

Must have dog

[mercuryblues]

2. OK. I will

Before you get another dog, train the dog you have. You can't walk 2 dogs on a leash if even 1 of them is not trained to walk next to you. Can you imagine walking 2 dogs not leashed trained?
Or 2 dogs not trained to come back when you call them?

[ColinC]

4. This could be why I not-consciously got cats instead

They provide the company for the furry friend with less the maintenance

[mahina]

9. Wise point. Thank you.

[ColinC]

3. Dogs always need friends

As long as you can manage the extra body, I support this decision of a new doggy!

[mahina]

10. I read you

♥️

[tblue37]

5. Get him a companion. Dogs are such social animals. They don't like to be alone.

[mahina]

8. I feel you. He sees other dogs almost every day, visits w his pals on our walks

But having a live in pal would be better for him. Risky for me. Thanks for helping me think it out!

[tblue37]

11. You could get him a kitten.

[mahina]

12. Hmm no thanks

My last cat never liked us and lived for 25 years. Every morning at 3 AM she need to go out in every morning around 4 AM she need to come back and sleep disruption really messed up my health. Nobody would take her and I wouldn’t take her to the Humane Society.

I’m over cats. She was pretty though.

I like other people’s cats! Sorta

[LisaL]

20. That's a rather extreme case.

You should keep the cat strictly indoors so it doesn't go outside in the middle of the night.
You could also make sure to pick a friendly cat that won't ignore you.

[mahina]

22. Or not.

Thanks 😊

[Phoenix61]

6. How does he do with other dogs now?

If he’s not listening to you now I’d work on that first. Maybe get an older already trained dog.

[mahina]

7. He loves everybody and listens to me when not doing so isn't tooo inconvenient

[Chainfire]

13. I have always been a one-at-the-time guy.

With both dogs and women. I have never regretted it.

[Jade Fox]

14. The tripping issue is a serious one, not only for you but the people around you..nt

[Prairie_Seagull]

15. I have a duo, brothers and from experience I can tell you they are easier on us

than having just one. Now we have a huge back yard so walking is kind of redundant. They play with each other to get their exercise. They sleep like babies. So while your situation may be different. In many ways 2 are easier IMO.

[Laffy Kat]

16. Do it!

And don't forget to send photos!

[SharonClark]

17. Why are you tripping over the leash?

The leash should never touch the ground so maybe a shorter leash would help.

I walk 3 dogs at once and they walk in front of me. The two poms are on a 2-dog “Y” leash and the cocker is on his own. Sometimes the leashes are twisted together a bit but we always make it home okay.

I say go for it - get another dog.

[Jade Fox]

21. Thousands of people are injured every year when their pets trip them, especially the elderly...nt

[mahina]

25. Good question!

I’ll start using the short leash again instead.

I had thought since he loves to sniff around I could let him do a little bit more cruising with the longer leash. I bought it when I first bought him so thinking he could do some zoomies but stay leashed. (He’s super fast and he likes to keep running) Of course it’s too short for that So I’ve just been coiling it up and letting it go letting him have some freedom but staying on leash. I didn’t think I would trip. I am not interested in that happen again.

Funny I didn’t think of it before you said it but thank you very much. That’s a really good idea.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

18. Get a cat.

Ignore the less than wonderful cat posts.

Anyone who allows a cat to wake them up in the wee hours of the morning needs to get a grip. Same with those whose cats demand to be fed in the early hours. Or is picky about the cat food. My cats always learn early on that I get up when I get up. Then I feed them. I feed them whatever food I've bought.

Since you are probably not going to trade your dog for a cat, I will say very strongly to get him trained. Dog training really matters, and too many dog humans don't do that. Sigh.

Another problem here is that he's by himself for however long you are away. Dogs are very strongly connected to humans. Either get another dog, who also will also need to be trained, or hire someone to stop by several days a week, maybe every day.

I happen to be a cat person, and what I notice about dogs is how they are very attuned to humans. About twenty years ago I did volunteer work at a local animal shelter, working the information desk. All of the dogs being walked by the wonderful volunteer dog walkers, came by my desk. And every single dog wanted to greet every single human they came in contact with. Wow. I learned to appreciate dogs. So even if my preferred four-legged companion is a feline, I get dogs. They are wonderful. We humans just barely deserve them.

Oh, and I've watched various animal rescue shows, and it's heartbreaking what people do to the animals that depend on them. Almost all the dogs are willing to forgive the crimes against them and bond again with humans. Again, wow.

Do update us about your dog (maybe cat?) situation.

[Skittles]

19. you know you want that dog

yes INDEED

[panader0]

23. I would love to get a dog again. I just can't afford one right now.

The big dogs that I like eat a lot of food. Plus shots, adoption fees, etc. I'm on Social Security and
basically need all of my money to get by.

[mahina]

26. I read you. That's part of what I'm thinking about too,

Id need to be able to take care of whatever comes up just in case and I don’t think two dogs get a discount at the vet. Have to be ready for that stuff.

I keep penciling out my retirement on Social Security and double vet bills isn’t in it. Not if one of them got really banged up or got sick God forbid.

Do big dogs really eat that much more than regular dogs? Our goldens ate about twice as much as this little guy I have now who weighs 22 pounds. What kind of big doggies do you like?

I hope you get to see them around if you want to and enjoy them, or things work out so you can have one if you want. Aloha brother.

[panader0]

27. I like big mutts. Sometimes it seems as if purebred dogs have more health problems than mutts.

I had a puppy wander to my remote area house and he stayed and grew into a 125 lb beast.
Extremely loyal and gentle with my kids. He'd let all four sit on his back when they were little.
But he had a real low growl that scared some people. I live in the boonies with javelina and
coyotes and he scared them too. He wouldn't come in the house even on the coldest nights,
sleeping instead in front of the door. I sure miss him. He'd eat a large bag (40 lbs) of food a week.
Question from an old Oahu resident--where's Haiku Valley? I lived in Manoa Valley after Hickam AFB,
where my dad was stationed.

[jcgoldie]

24. there's so many dogs in shelters that need homes

If you think you want one and can give it a good life then you should get it.