welovemarmite Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 We have been thinking about a dog for sometime, but our lifestyle just wasnt right. Well following a major problem with work related stress this year, things are changing. I have now reduced my day job to 2 days a week, and will only have to physcially go into the office one day every 2 to 3 weeks. So, we are now reviewing our doggie plans. We have four cats and eight chickens. So, looks like sometime this year a dog will arrive. I am a bit scared as never had a dog before so it will be a steep learning curve. But, it should help my depression and anxiety as i am usually so calm around animals. I am also going to apply to be a volunteer at a local animal rescue centre. Not quite sure what we will get but i am rather partial to Shar Peis...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Dogs are a big commitment but if you have the time they are wonderful. If you are helping in a shelter I'm sure you'll bring a dog home rather than get a shar pei Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Work on the basis that they choose you rather than the other way round, and I'm sure one of the shelter dogs will be very lucky and win your heart ! I helped briefly at a cat shelter before I moved and had a very firm stance that I couldn't bring any home (four shelter or garden foundlings already). My final weekend there was a new boy that just looked at me and would definitely have been mine if I hadn't been moving in the couple of days. I kept checking their website and was delighted when he was rehomed a few weeks later You'll know when you've been picked (and he/she will probably look nothing like a shar pei)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 you may well all be right and we haven't ruled that out. I already check the rescue sites just in case. We just have to be very careful with a rescue dog to make sure that they are good with our cats as dont want them to be alienated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Getting a pup maybe better then, as the cats will accept the puppy as should be smaller and naive and will prove the cats are the boss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stehaggan Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I had never had a dog before but really wanted one and for over 18 months we visited the kennels but just couldn't take the commitment because I was a bit scared about the time and commitment they take etc. We already had the dig bowl, name tag engraved, beds toys etc just no dog haha Waiting that long was enough and when we finally took the leap I am so glad we did. He brings so much joy to us and would never change him for the world x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 thanks Ste.... that almost sounds like me. Part of me is really worried that I wont do it right and fail the dog. I think its only becuase i have never had one. I adore all animals and I know they relax me, so I am sure we will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 If you volunteer at a centre that should give you confidence and also when the staff get to know you they will help you see what dog will be suitable for you. Good luck with it x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 We'd never had a dog before we rescued Riley from the local cat and dog home so I know how you feel. We must have done something right as 10 years down the line he's still alive (but has used up a couple of lives ). We wouldn't have had it any other way, he's made our family complete and is a joy to have in the house . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 The good thing about working at the shelter is that you will get to know the pooches, the downside is you will probably want to bring them all home Our Springer was great when we bought the kittens home from the cat protection league (only went for 1 & came home with 3!!) We now also have (a very spoilt) King Charles who tries to play/rule the cats.....and fails miserably!! Good luck with your new venture. Pets are such a good stress reliever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 i know what you mean about stress reliver. thats one reason why i want to go for a dog as I need a stronger dose of stress relief!! The cats and the chickens arent quite enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 I'm sorry to hear that you've been through it last year. Have you thought of fostering for the centre near you? Rescues are always looking fro a foster home and it might be a nice way to ease yourself into dog ownership. Good luck and I hope that you find your heart dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 and the weather is horrid, and i am still thinking i would be happy to go out there are walk a dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 It's quite therapeutic walking in bad weather - I was togged up this morning and didn't mind it too much. had a lovely walk in the sunshine yesterday, out near Souldern. You're more than welcome to join us on a dog walk if you want to try it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Not quite sure what we will get but i am rather partial to Shar Peis...... don't do it unless you have deep pockets. They have all sorts of issues, medical and temperamental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 It's quite therapeutic walking in bad weather - I was togged up this morning and didn't mind it too much. had a lovely walk in the sunshine yesterday, out near Souldern. You're more than welcome to join us on a dog walk if you want to try it out. thank you dm.... luckily I have plenty of dogs in the village, I am friends with a dog breeder and do go out with her now and again, although she now cycles out with them as she has a problem with her knees, so i may give you a shout. Actually i am very surprised we were allowed to move into the village without a dog!! They are mainly trained gun dogs here, in particular black labs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 Not quite sure what we will get but i am rather partial to Shar Peis...... don't do it unless you have deep pockets. They have all sorts of issues, medical and temperamental. interesting as we have heard quite different stories. I do know they can have eye problems. They can be wary of strangers if not socialised properly. We have a photographic studio in Banbury and so would want to take him to work with us. There would be no children there, just adults. eta but whatever we have we would not go in without proper research and talking to lots of people. We see too often people taking on animals without having looked into it first and then the only ones to suffer are the animals... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 It's quite therapeutic walking in bad weather - I was togged up this morning and didn't mind it too much. had a lovely walk in the sunshine yesterday, out near Souldern. You're more than welcome to join us on a dog walk if you want to try it out. thank you dm.... luckily I have plenty of dogs in the village, I am friends with a dog breeder and do go out with her now and again, although she now cycles out with them as she has a problem with her knees, so i may give you a shout. Actually i am very surprised we were allowed to move into the village without a dog!! They are mainly trained gun dogs here, in particular black labs! Lillybettybabs isn't far from you and they own/train gundogs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Not quite sure what we will get but i am rather partial to Shar Peis...... don't do it unless you have deep pockets. They have all sorts of issues, medical and temperamental. interesting as we have heard quite different stories. I do know they can have eye problems. They can be wary of strangers if not socialised properly. They are a fighting/guarding breed and can be both aggressive with other dogs and overly protective of the home/family. You would of course be able to train any dog out of a lot of issues but the breed characteristics are so strong in some that is can pose a problem. With regards to health, some issues are being diluted by selective breeding. Entropion (in turned eyelids) and skin issues are the most common, the folds causing the main problem and yeast infections can be common with their ears. There are also a large proportion of them that suffer food allergies. In addition there is a recessive hereditary disease called Amyloidosis that exists to a degree in virtually all Shar Peis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Good luck WLM! I know what you are going through and the right dog will arrive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Good luck WLM! I know what you are going through and the right dog will arrive! thank you, now i have just discovered your blog, so get back to the pizza and get that revision out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Ooohhhh me too! My son has been wearing me down about a dog for years - which is why we got chickens! I thought it would satisfy him - he loves them to bits - but still wants a dog! I'm thinking little, easy going, good enough to leave for a few hours a couple of days a week and a few years old not a puppy! Still contemplating mind you....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 so feeling a bit nervous about it all isnt just me then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I chased down a few dead ends before I got Cyrus; having always had more than one dog, and in some cases, several foster dogs too, I wanted a 2nd dog... I was going to foster again and was also looking at various rescue adoptions as well, then Cyrus turned up. He was just going to be a foster, but turned into a bit of a failure and he's still here 9 months on He's beautiful but dim and I wouldn't trade him for the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Hi, I was brought up with dogs, so had a bit of knowledge, but after waiting for the right time, like you, (18 yrs in my case), I bought a gate, to secure the garden thoroughly, and waited another 6 weeks to get the hinges fixed to the wall(quite quick in Engineering husbands' time scale), and then got the most cross breed pup I could find, I spent a lot of time (about an hour) with the mum dog, as she does the first few weeks rearing, and her character can tell you a lot. Like you, I have cats, and other things, so a pup was safer and more sensible, to fit with what we already had. It's been a joy having her, although she's horrid sometimes... I have all the base bars of my dining chairs chewed, a hole in one of the armchairs.She rips the linings out of any shoes left about, but we all soon learned! I took her to the beach this morning, before work, (I've also had a work change, less £ more ) I love her to bits, she's training up nicely, and we'd not be without her. The pup training pee bit is brief, knackereing, think potty training, we got up through the night, and cracked it that way. Rough guide is they can hold on for 1 hr per month of age, plus an hr, till about 4/5 months, so at 8 weeks, it's approx 2 to 3 hrs... I did get a reputable dog trainer round for the morning, when Flynn was 12 weeks old, and she gave me heaps of training tips, which have been helpful.(£35) didn't use a clicker or the whistle, we just yell!! the fear of responsibility is far greater, I've had moments of doubt, but in spite of me, she's just a sweetie. She's a springer xlab xstaffy breed, but there is a bit of collie in there as well , we think... Very healthy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
