imported_nea Posted September 13, 2003 Posted September 13, 2003 If a family consisting of a mom, teenage daughter, son at college who wasn't home much, 2 guinea pigs, and varrious other small creatures wanted a dog, would it be possible? The family lived in a smallish appartment (living room, kithchen+dining room, 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, and toilet, and hall), but the appartment was located across the road from a small woods and fields. The mother and daughter both had to be away in the daytime, for about 6 hours. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a few hours less. But they were both (especially the daughter) willing to work hard at training the puppy, and take it to obedience lessons. Would it be possible for the family to get a puppy, and have it be happy, obedient, well adjusted, and become potty trained? And with potty trained I mean not doing things inside, but out. I can't think of the real word for it. :-? Quote
DogPaddle Posted September 13, 2003 Posted September 13, 2003 Hypothetically :wink: yes. The best option would be to research breeds and find one suited for apartment life and then possibly go to a breed rescue or search shelters for the right breed or breedX or if nec. go to a good breeder. An adult dog would be ideal really unless someone can come home part way through the day to let the pup out till it gets older, also it may already be housetrained. Quote
DogPaddle Posted September 13, 2003 Posted September 13, 2003 These dog breed choosers/selectors are a pretty good starting point: http://selectsmart.com/beta_dog/ http://sy.adiho.com/ASA/Controller?sysid=4&appid=9901 http://www.ivillage.com/pets/tools/breedselector/?arrivalSA=1&arrival_freqCap=2 http://www.showdog.com/Breeds/breedselector.asp http://www.about-dogs.com/dog_breed_selector.htm http://www.petnet.com.au/selectapet/dogselectapet.html http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/selector/selector.jsp http://www.ckc.ca/default-refresh.asp Most of them take living space into account. Quote
imported_Kat Posted September 13, 2003 Posted September 13, 2003 Hypothetically as long as time can be dedicated then yes. I would say hearing the living situation that an adult dog, not a puppy would be a very wise idea from a rescue centre. Sounds the perfect complimentary match. Quote
imported_nea Posted September 14, 2003 Author Posted September 14, 2003 Thanks for your help DogPaddle and Kat! :) How about a puppy, but one thats a little older, like say 4-7 months or so? Would that be easier to leave alone? How long would someone have to come home in the day? If its an older puppy, do you still get the advantages of a puppy, or not? Does having a crate make housebreaking alot easier? What are some of the differences with raising a puppy/dog now and about 40 years ago? Sorry for all the questions... :oops: Quote
DogPaddle Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 Crate training is wonderful. An older puppy may work but as a general rule the puppy should not be left alone for more than 1 hour per month of age, preferably not exceeding 8 hours - ex 4 month old puppy should not be left alone for more than 4 hours. As for how long someone need to come home for during the day: My boys are 11 months and 20 months (I think) and I am out of the house for 10 hours due to work, my brother is here more but I never know if he'll have an early day so either I come home on my lunch or I pay someone to come in and let them out, when I do it I am only home for 10 min but I would prefer longer, when I pay someone to come by they are usually here for 20-30min (and I pay them to clean the yard too :wink: ) Some dogs suffer from seperation anxiety so you may need to work with this. Some breeds are more comfortable being left alone for a period of time than others. As for an older puppy offering the advantages of puppyhood - yes. IMHO most healthy, well adjusted, fixed, house dogs behave very puppyish well past 10 months, sometimes well past 2 years, depends on the breed. Granted they will not be tiny and fuzzy but even if you got a 2 month old pup they wouldn't be like that for long anyway. As for bonding - age is rarely a barrier even for senior dogs. And I can't think of any other benefits to puppyhood - they mess in the house, the chew on things they aren't supposed to the are not as capable when it comes to fetch and obedience and tricks and games, they can't go for all day hikes etc. I am in the minority I think but I like dogs closer to maturity better than young pups. Differences raising a dog now rather than 40 years ago? I'm too young to know directly but from what my mom tells me of their Collie from when she was young - not much. Different leash, scoop, stray etc laws. Different food and care options such as holistic approaches. A tendency to avoid physical correction or harsh correction after bad behaviour in favour of training and positive reinforcement. Good luck. :D Quote
courtnek Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 DP is correct. If you are going to be gone for 6 hours a day, I would start at 6 months and older. This will make housebreaking (if not broken already) much easier, and less stressful for the dog. A 6 mo. old puppy is still a puppy, but you do lose some of the "instant bonding" you would get with an 8 week old puppy. However, you can get it back, and yuu can bond forever to an older puppy, it just takes a little more time. It also depends on the puppy's circumstances prior to your adopting it, how it will behave. Try to get a complete family history on it before deciding. Good Luck :D Quote
imported_nea Posted September 14, 2003 Author Posted September 14, 2003 Thanks for your help! :D I'm going to print this out and show my mom... Quote
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