I want to get a puppy!

[chuckaloonie]

So, me and my kids are afraid of dogs (even puppies). I'm aware that it's my fault that they're afraid of them, so I want to correct this as soon as possible. For that reason, I want to get a puppy.

However, since this would be our first pet ever, I need a small dog that's good with kids and that doesn't bite/jump on people (even if it's playfully). Can you give me some advice? Keep in mind that I'M AFRAID OF DOGS, and I'd be the one who feeds it and takes care of it, so it really has to be a dog that's basically a stuffed animal or something.

xo
Laura.

Comments

[bebunny.livejournal.com]

Ok, the biggest peice of advice I can offer is to avoid getting a terrier of any kind, they tend to be high energy and although make wonderful pets can sometimes go a bit off the rails if they are not put in line properly. As this is your first dog, it would probably be best to stick with a working dog breed, a spaniel or such, they are easier to train and are less given to chasing critter or other dogs around.

The second is to watch as much of 'the dog whisperer' as you can, his method is all about projecting a calm assertive energy, and it makes a whole world of difference. when you have a family dog you must think from his perspective and act like a pack. you are the pack leader, and you must behave as such, the dog will accept his place in the family and be much more disciplined and calm.

as for breed? maybe a cocker spaniel? they are not big, are very cute and are very sweet natured.
Basset hounds are also a good choice, they are very vocal dogs and terribly funny. Stubborn though...

If you are thinking of getting a dog you must go into it knowing that you will have to interact with other dogs from day one. If puppies are denied the oppotunity to play and interact with other dogs then they can become nervous or agressive towards other dogs. That can lead to all kinds of problems later on, its anti social, stressful for the dog and owners and makes for a very unhappy life for the poor puppy.

Do you have a plan B for if it doesnt work out? Dogs that end up in shelters are often destroyed because they cant be rehomed in reasonable time. It would be better to have another home lined up 'just in case'.
It also helps to have a standby family or similar that you have an arrangement with for if you want/need to go away. Dogs that stay in kennels are usually fine, but its always better to leave them with a friend. We take our dog with us if we go away, or he stays with my mum....which often means he doesnt wont to leave his friends and come home... ;)

[chuckaloonie.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, there's so much to consider! My mom doesn't like dogs, nor my mother-in-law, so I'd have to think about that.

Also, I'm not cruel, I wouldn't leave my dog on a shelter just because things didn't work out. If I get a dog, it'll be part of the family, and you don't get rid of family members just because they misbehave sometimes!

What worries me the most, is the stuff you said about interacting with other dogs and act like a pack leader, considering I'm afraid of dogs in the first place. I'm sure the dog would be able to tell that I'm nervous around it, and I'm sure that'd affect its behavior.

The thing is, I really don't want a dog, but I think is unfair that I'm passing my fears to my kids, so that's why I want to do it. Sigh. I don't know what to do!

[(Anonymous)]

Oh dude, if you don't want a dog, don't get one!! They will soooo pick up on that.Its really not fair on it.
You are making a commitment of upwards of 11-15 years!

Why don't you see if you can find another dog you can spend time with, or see if the local shelter has an older dog you could rehome, puppies are cute, but they are also MAD. Puppies are hard hard work, they chew, develop bad habits, nip (because they play with their litter that way, they stop it at about 4 months old though)

Someone elses dog is probably a way better option for you. At least to begin with. Dogs are clever, if you are not assertive they will try ti take over, I still simetimes have probs with my boy, and I'm an experienced dog owner...

[chuckaloonie.livejournal.com]

Believe it or not, NONE of my friends or family have dogs! But you're right, maybe we can start by visiting shelters so we get used to being around them without fearing them, and hopefully one day we'll be ready to have our own dog.

Thanks for the advice!

[rockeandroll.livejournal.com]

I'm not an expert so I can't give you a huge amount of care advice. (And, okay, I HAVE a dog, but my parents had both had dogs before so we just kind of raised him out of instinct. I don't know what advice to give to someone who's afraid of dogs, so sorry about that.)

Having said that, on the topic of breeds, maybe a whippet? One of my friends has kept a lot of whippets and they're really, really quiet and not aggressive at all. I think they do tend to need a bit of exercise, and be taken out to a space where they can run every now and again, but in terms of how they relate to people they're very docile dogs. The downside is that their coats are so thin that they usually need to sleep indoors, but that might not be a downside for you.

But I do stress that I'm not an expert, so don't make a decision based on that. But it might be a starting point. (I really have no other ideas. I grew up with terriers and kelpies and all I can say about them is don't get one!)

[chuckaloonie.livejournal.com]

I totally had to google them, I had no idea what a whippet looked like! I don't mind the sleeping indoors thing, but I was kind of looking for a smaller dog, because no matter how docile a dog may be, if it's big, it's easier to be afraid of it. Unless we get a puppy, of course.

I have to think long and hard about this, I'm aware that it's a huge commitment and I want to be 100% sure about it because we're talking about a living creature; it's not like I can take it back if I don't like it (well I could, but I wouldn't. I might be afraid of dogs but I'm not a monster).

I'll keep that breed in mind, thanks Meg!

[saint-viticus.livejournal.com]

If you're really looking at very small breeds, there are breeds like the French Bulldog and the Pug that are really small, and pretty easy to look after.

My family has a Llasa Apso, which is another small breed of dog. I would fully reccommend this breed, tbh, because they don't shed fur (they have a special kind of fur that means those who are allergic to dogs are okay around their breed), they're very quiet and incredibly loving dogs, but they also make a fantastic guard dog. They're really awesome with kids, and we've never known ours to bite, and he's been around about seven little boys as they were growing up.

I think it's great that you're looking to fight your fear! ♥

[chuckaloonie.livejournal.com]

The Llasa Apso! They're gorgeous dogs. But isn't the long hair a lot of work to maintain? Not that I'm not willing to do it, it's just that I have to consider ALL the facts before making a decision.

I adore the French Bulldogs, but my youngest son saw a picture of one and he said that it had a "mean face". Sigh. I don't understand. He's not afraid to carry a snake, but he's afraid of dogs.

[saint-viticus.livejournal.com]

I've heard that it can be quite difficult to maintain the long fur, but we've always kept our Llasa Apso with short fur, and that's much easier to maintain. :3

[villiagegreen.livejournal.com]

This us just an idea, see if any shelters are in need of a foster puppy mom for any under 6week old puppies.

A) they are super cute and docile at that time.

B) at 6 weeks you give the puppy back, unless you want to adopt it.

c) you help our a local shelter and get your feet wet when it comes to pets.

My mom was afraid of dogs till we go one when I was in high school, one week later she LOVED dogs, she just needed to see they are cuddle machines.

[chuckaloonie.livejournal.com]

I think that's what I'm going to do. I think I should test myself before I make a commitment that big.

Now I have to find out a shelter. The only one I know of only has stray dogs, so I'm not sure if they'd be docile enough for me.

Thanks, Bee!

[ladyfoxxx.livejournal.com]

I have nothing of use to add except:



YOU KNOW YOU WANT ONE.

[chuckaloonie.livejournal.com]

A FRANKIE???? WELL OF COURSE I WANT ONE!

Fox, how is he the cutest human being EVER? And if you meant the dog... well, how am I supposed to be looking at the dog when there's also a Frankie on screen?

[eisfor-eek.livejournal.com]

I train dogs (not for a living..but I've trained my dogs and I've trained other people's dogs. Currently I have an aggressive dog and a friendly dog and I have a whole bunch of experience with dog behavior, and well just animal behavior in general. Mostly horses, but quite a bit with dogs. I'm actually gonna start dog showing [ick i know] this year..)

So anyway, in my sort of knowledgeable opinion, don't get a designer dog, don't get a handbag dog, and really, most small dogs are assholes. (In my opinion. Of course there are some great small dogs..)Make sure you're not getting a dog just because it's "cute" or you can dress it up or whatever.

I have been bitten many many more times by a small dog rather than a medium size or large dog, so don't judge a dog purely by it's size.

I HIGHLY recommend getting a full grown, already trained dog from a shelter. You can find SMALL little mutts that are the sweetest things and best behaved. A puppy is A LOT of responsibility, and if not properly socialized they can (and usually do) turn aggressive. Even if properly socialized, there is a chance they can turn aggressive. And I don't think one breed is more aggressive than the next. I know many more sweet, loving, trustworthy Pitbulls and I know a lot of dangerous Labs. Of course, I know plenty of trustworthy Labs, as well. (I'll be honest. I currently don't know any dangerous Pits..) It all depends on the animals upbringing.

I really really REALLY think getting an older(not OLD, just not a puppy), sweet shelter dog would be best. They are pre-trained, and their personalities have already been formed. Full grown dogs are calmer, and aren't as much work. (They are still A LOT of work, though)There are so many in shelters that have been abandoned for bullshit reasons such as the children lose interest in the dog, moving (I'm a firm believer that a pet is part of the family, so when you move you make sure your entire family can come, too)and because of the current economy, many people are having to surrender wonderful dogs due to money issues.

Before even looking for a dog, though, you should spend time around dogs and really make sure it's a step you want to take on. A pet is NOT disposable, it's a new family member. It's quite the commitment. So make sure you REALLY want to take on the responsibility of another being.

That's just my two cents on it..

[eisfor-eek.livejournal.com]

Holy shit I wrote a novel. Haha sorry.

[chuckaloonie.livejournal.com]

I think that's what I'll do. My kids and I need to spend time around dogs, to get used to them, and then we can decide if we want to buy/adopt one.

The only reason why I wanted a puppy instead of a dog was because I thought it'd be easier for my kids not to be afraid if the dog was tiny. Actually, my favorite breed are the Dalmatians, but I don't have a big enough back yard to have one.

Thank you very much, your input was incredibly helpful. ♥

[cocolate.livejournal.com]

I'm a huge dog lover and I have a 12-year-old dog, so I know a thing or two about dogs too.
My dog's breed is bichon frise and I personally think that that's a great breed :)
They are small, ridiculously cute and at least my dog is one of the people-friendliest dogs I know. :)

Mixed breeds are usually great too, I don't know why, but they tend to be really nice dogs.

Like someone above said, avoid terriers and pinschers etc, they can be pretty vicious dogs, even though that they are ofter really small.

Good luck if you really decide to get a dog :) At least my dog is a loved member of our family, even though that when we decided to get him pretty much all the relatives we had were against the idea.

[chuckaloonie.livejournal.com]

They ARE cute! Thank you so much for your advice! Getting a dog is a huge commitment, so I have to take a lot of stuff into consideration before buying/adopting a dog.

My mom is completely against the idea, but I only care about my husband and kids' opinion, since we'll be the ones living with the dog.

Thanks!