I need advice on Dogs

janie1234

janie1234

Cathlete
Hello all you dog owners out there. I need some advice. I've been thinking of adopting a dog. I have 2 kids 8 and 6 who are very responsible (we baby sat my parents pomeranian for a month and they both got up early to walk her and would fight over who got to pick up the poop) and have been begging for a dog. Besides the fact that the kids want a dog I want one too. I work from home so I'm home all the time and I love to run, and hike just be outdoors, . . our neighborhood is good for that. So I need you all to lay it on me and tell me what I can and cannot expect. My husband is against it because he says we can never go on vacation, . . .which heck we hardly ever go anyways as it is since he works for a hotel and hotels are open every day of the year. I also want a dog to run with me but I've read from several posters that not all dogs like to run. Here is the dog we're thinking of, . .any thought would be appreciated.

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11194900
 
Janie - That doggie is adorable!!! Know that huskies need a LOT of exercise and stimulation. Your situation is pretty ideal though being home and having a good neighborhood for hikes and walks. I'm sure there are some husky owners out there who can give you more info. on them. As far as the vacation excuse - doesn't hold water. Kenneling one dog is EASY and relatively inexpensive (for one dog - for 3 with their own plasma tv's and piped in music, it was a little pricey - I will never do that again!). And with only one it's also easier to find someone to just dog sit. I have 3 dogs and have never let that keep me from taking vacation. Heck, I have 3 dogs, 3 guinea pigs, 2 Bearded Dragons, 1 Uromastyx, 3 Geckos, and about 15 ball pythons and some other assorted critters and I still go on vacation! ;) I'm lucky that my mom typically watches the piggies and the dogs, but we have kenneled them before with no problems.
 
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Just be committed for the long haul! I have 2 cocker spaniels (both rescues). I am lucky enough to get to go home for lunch every day. I think you being there is a huge deal - most people don't have that luxury (and neither do their dogs). My biggest advice is Train Train and Train some more. Be prepared for the bad times (like messes and vet bills) but the rewards outweigh those if you ask me. As for vacations - depending on where you live, you can find dog sitters to stay in your home or board them at a doggy daycare or your vet. It's not cheap, but you do what you do for your pets.

Good luck!
Heather
 
Awwww...Sarah is a cutie! ITA with Liann that Huskies are high energy and need stimulation. I bet she'd be a great running buddy. I've seen Huskies out on the hiking trails carrying their own packs...it gives them a "job", so to speak.

ITA with Heather about training, a definite must, AND a great opportunity for you and your kids to bond with the dog.

As for vacations, check out kennels in your area. Also, if you have friends with dogs, see of they might be willing to dog sit. We also travel with our dog, and it's alot of fun...that's where the training part comes in.

I'm dog sitting next weekend for a friend of mine...basically Rascal is having a sleepover. ;)

IMO, your situation sounds like a very good one for bringing a dog into the family. Good luck!! :)
 
I have always had a dog. I have two now and just LOVE them. The only downside is the vet bills when needed and kenneling them when we go out of town. It's not cheap and I feel guilty leaving them. It's better if you can find someone to love them while you're away but not easy to find in my area. Pets add so much to your life and you'll find you're husband will love your new baby too. It's either huskies or akitas that are barkers or whiners and shed like mad. You might want to research that a bit. My dogs shed and it really is kind of annoying. Never had shedders before. If your DH opposes a dog, a bunch of dog hair is not going to make him very happy. Just something to consider.

Good luck!
Tracy
 
I'm not a dog person, but I wonder if Huskies don't do well in the heat (or even in the 'warmth' if they are running and being active?)

As for vacations: there are hotels that accept pets, and for road trip type vacations, you can take the dog along. In addition to kennelling, you can sometimes find pet sitters (I have one for my cats when I'm out of town, and for dogs, she will visit up to 4x/day as needed. That way, the animal gets companionship and can remain in his own house).
 
janie1234 said:
My husband is against it because he says we can never go on vacation, . . .which heck we hardly ever go anyways as it is since he works for a hotel and hotels are open every day of the year.
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11194900
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We have 3 dogs and we take them on our vacations. I won't board them and my mom is getting to old to deal with 3 rambuctious dogs and well they are part of the family, so, we take them with and this last trip we drove my little mustang since the truck was acting up it was a little crowded but everyone was happy-until the diarhea struck that is. :p But since I always pack shampoo, papertowels etc we got through it.
It takes some planning but it is doable. Many hotels take dogs. Just phone ahead and make sure. Sure the dogs spent some time in the crates while we went off sight seeing but that's what they would be doing if they were being boarded in a kennel somewhere.
 
Tami - I would take my wiener dogs with me everywhere if it wasn't for DH. Your vacation sounds like my kind of trip! Minus the Diarrhea!
 
You can always hire dog sitters to come to your house 2-3 times a day for feedings, walks and bathroom breaks. It's not as pricey as you think. Less than a kennel. Less stress on the dog.
 
I don't want to start any problems here but huskies can be difficult dogs. They need an experienced owner. First most of them like to travel and by that I mean take off on their own. I have three friends each of whom have huskies. One is a committed patron of this breed and worked very hard with his rescue dog to cure him of aggressive behavior. The other two both rescued dogs with no knowledge of the breed at all. One family has constant problems with their 2 huskies taking off and being picked up by the dog warden..I would talk to the rescue organization and tell them everything about your life style that you can think of. How old your children are, the climate you live in, your experience as a dog owner. Be sure to learn everything you can about your choice--how did he get into rescue? Was he given up? Was he picked up running loose? A huskie is a whole different breed than a pomeranian. All they have in common are that they are dogs. A pom is a companion dog and a huskie is a working dog and needs to have a job. Best of luck but please look into this carefully so your children are not disappointed. Cuteness is not a reason to choose a dog.
 
Read everything you can on huskies starting here - http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/siberianhusky.htm

Not to be a downer, but Huskies can be quite a handful. They were bred to run long distances and to think for themselves. They are trainable, but they will question everything you ask of them - no matter how well you establish dominance. A lot of them cannot be let off leash anywhere as they bolt - and running is a lot more fun then coming back to you. They do require a lot of exercise and can be quite destructive if they do not get it. They are gorgeous dogs, but you may want to consider something a little less stubborn and lively for a first dog. This is entirely up to you, of course, but please make sure you decide on a husky because you have done your research and have decided this is the breed that suits your personality and life style and not because they are pretty dogs (and I think they are some of the prettiest dogs there are). There are a lot of "easier" dogs out there.
 
Liann said:
Janie - That doggie is adorable!!! Know that huskies need a LOT of exercise and stimulation. Your situation is pretty ideal though being home and having a good neighborhood for hikes and walks. I'm sure there are some husky owners out there who can give you more info. on them. As far as the vacation excuse - doesn't hold water. Kenneling one dog is EASY and relatively inexpensive (for one dog - for 3 with their own plasma tv's and piped in music, it was a little pricey - I will never do that again!). And with only one it's also easier to find someone to just dog sit. I have 3 dogs and have never let that keep me from taking vacation. Heck, I have 3 dogs, 3 guinea pigs, 2 Bearded Dragons, 1 Uromastyx, 3 Geckos, and about 15 ball pythons and some other assorted critters and I still go on vacation! ;) I'm lucky that my mom typically watches the piggies and the dogs, but we have kenneled them before with no problems.
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Amber my kids would have a field day at your house. It would be better than going to the pet store!!! I've always wanted a bearded dragon and a ball python. How do you house the python? Are they adult sized? The only pet I have right now are 2 adult sized tarantulas. My brother actually had a huskie but during his divorce his ex wife took the dog and he's been pretty broken up about it. He said that they do need daily walks but are other wise pretty easy as long as you train them when they are young. Working from home may sound ideal but it gets lonely and I would love the company.
 
I totally agree with Phyllis and Christine. I have owned three Huskies. They are a very unique breed of dog and def. not for everyone. I wouldn't have any other dog but maybe that's because I never have! They shed A TON, are very neurotic (mine would constantly walk around in a circle in the backyard or house), it's very, very hard to train them, especially to walk since they are naturally inclined to pull.

There are, of course, a lot of good traits of Huskies. They are friendly, never bark unless there is true danger, have some pretty cool, quirky traits (mine would sing and talk back to you and mock/mimic your tone), and they are simply the most beautiful dog I've ever seen.
 
Thanks everyone. I knew I could count on everyone to give me the truthful pros and cons. I guess a lot goes into choosing a pet and just like humans dogs all sorta have a personality of their own. Not all small dogs are ankle bitters and not all big dogs are runners. The dog does not have to be a husky just a loving, loyal, memeber of the family and it has to be adopted from a shelter. You have all given me something to think about. Thanks again!! :)
 
We have a Shiba Inu which is a spitz. Huskies are spitz's as well. Spitz type dogs love to run and run and run.

Because our Shiba is much larger than normal (he weighs 35 lbs and stands
22" high about 15 lbs and 4" larger than normal), he can run like a small husky.

I take him for a "bike run" in the am for about 5 miles. I have a waist leash attached to me and I ride my bike while he runs beside me. He can run about 22 miles per hour for about 10 minutes at a time.

If he doesn't get at least 2 runs a day like this, he will escape out of the house and run on his own. Fortunately, we live on an acreage, not too many cars, but we still don't let him run wild (too many foxes, coyotes and cougars).

Shibas' like huskies have a tendancy to scream/sign rather than bark. They are very strong minded and need owners who put time into training. When we take Jynx to the dog park, the spitz's tend to play together, as they are very "run" oriented when they play.

Our shiba is very lovable and loyal. He is a great play dog and will find amazing ways to play all the time. He isn't a nervous dog, but very full of energy. Reminds me of my boys when they were around 5 years old. Run, play eat, sleep, start over.

If I every get another dog, it will definitely be another spitz like dog!!!
 
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BrendaJean13 said:
How about a Greyhound?

Check this out for more information or go online to find a Greyhound rescue near you.

http://www.gpa-md.com/info.html
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I used to have a Greyhound and they are wonderful dogs but IME they do love to run but they run out of gas fast. They are more sprinters/short distance rather than endurance/long distances.
Former track dogs have not been socialized well when they are pups, thier lives are literally back and forth from crate to track so if you have kids/other small pets you need to be careful.
Fortunately our Gh was good around my nieces and nephew as well as around our other small dogs and cat too. But some aren't.
 
Have a husky across the street who is an angel - see sits outside in the yard unleashed and stays (now that she is a bit older - not quite so easy when she was a pup). They walk her in the AM and PM. Beautiful dog just like Sarah.

.02 I have about a dog with young children. Make sure the dog is either leash trained or you get it leash trained. I got a giant schnauzer when my kids were little and you have to remember a 100 lb dog can drag an adult let alone a child.

No doubt the kids will eventually be taking the dog for a walk and though you can't control everything, a large dog who is leash trained well will be much better for the kids.

Wish my schnauz would run. She is getting old, nearly 13, and we walked lots when she was young. Unfortunately she injured a back leg many years ago when swimming in the creek (landed on a large boulder under the water) and now will barely walk down the street. :( She is such a lover though.:p

Good luck with your choices. Glad to see that you are checking things out before taking on a responsibility this large. As you can see from the shelters, many people don't bother and these poor loving animals end up where they shouldn't have to be. They belong in loving homes. Kudos to you for adopting ! :D
 
Tamrahan said:
Take the wiener dogs leave the dh ;).
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BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That sounds like a great idea :p

I have 5 dogs which makes traveling a wee bit difficult. I usually tak 2 of them and get a pet sitter/dog walker for the other 3. It is not that expensive.

Huskies are wonderful dogs but they have a tendancy to want to rule the rooste. They can be really stubborn and may not be the best choice for a first time dog owner. However, there is always the exception and if you take this really seriously and read up on dog ownership and training (I know he is a little controversial but I like Cesar Millan) and take your new dog to obedience classes right away, it may turn out well.

I used to have a German Shepherd and a Labrador, whereas they are great dogs, nothing compares to my Australian Shepherds. They are high energy but usually easy to train, they will need a lot of exercise and are the quintessential velcro dog. I am biased of course, I would never get another breed than my Mini Aussies :eek: Mine are my running buddies, I can't imagine going running without them, we are going anywhere from 2 to 12 miles these days.

Keep us posted in what you decide.
 
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