[natahololll]

Its been on my mind for a little over 3 months now that I want to get a dog... someday...

And the breeds I've narrowed it down to is either Weimaraner or Vizsla. Both breeds are very energetic, intellegent, and trainable gun dogs. However, they're both also energetic, intellegent, and can be stubborn haha. My parents both owned dogs, but before I was born. So, between lack of experience growing up with them and working 7-4, I'm worried if I would be a good owner for such energetic dogs. Not looking to train them to be a gun dog, no showing or anything like that, just a companion.

I'm going to visit a Vizsla breeder this weekend. I'm wondering what your guys' experience is with dogs, especially purebreds and the purchasing process. For a timeline example, I dont expect to have a dog within 3 months really.

Oh, and I know what you're thinking... DONT PUT A DOG IN THAT SRT-4!!! Yeah I know. I'll have to figure something out for that, but the Vizsla is known as the cleanest dog.

[Z1IRo4Ap]

Like you said, dogs are very trainable. The only problems I foresee are the normal puppy problems. Especially if it gets separation anxiety. They have a tendancy to chew things if their owner is gone for long periods of time. I have a very energetic and spastic dog myself. She was a pain in the butt for a couple months, but eventually she got used to the whole 9-5 thing. Now I don't have any problems at all with her. It's just a matter of getting your dog into a routine and sticking with it. With those kinds of dogs, you are also gonna have to budget some time to take them for walks or even runs depending on what you're into. As far as buying the dog, I'm sure you've done your research and have an idea of what you wanna spend including the dog itself, dogfood, shots, etc. The only thing I suggest is making sure the dog has papers if they claim that it's a purebred. By finding out what the parents were like, you can pretty much figure out what your future dog will be like. Another tip that will help you out during the training process is don't be afraid to scold the dog if it's done something bad. They are like little kids, they learn pretty quick. They learn what exactly they can and can't get away with, what they are and aren't supposed to do, and all that fun stuff. Positively enforce the goods things and negatively enforce the bad obviously. After a while, the dog will know what you expect of it and it will abide by those rules. My mom works for the vet and we have taken in and taken care of quite a few animals over the years in case you were wondering why I went into this much detail. lol

[natahololll]

I appreciate the reply. Ive heard something pertaining to the specific breeds I'm looking at that dont match you though, kinda..

Firstly, I've heard to not negatively reinforce a bad behavior until theyre older... Cant remember the actual age

Also, I'm well aware, and kind-of look forward to, having to run them daily. Would be good for me too. My only question is... Will I stick with it?

Oh, and, I know what a pup costs, price range for both breeds... but I really DONT know what to expect for monthly costs of food, toys, leashes/beds/cages/etc...

and, as far as papers go, if i go with a Vizsla, it'll be from one of the nation's best breeders that have 40 adult dogs on the premise pretty much always. Its their life - they're very reputable and located kinda close. Haven't found a Weimaraner breeder in the area yet.

[halyshitzob]

don't buy from a breeder. check out the humane society first.

papers are worth nothing but coin to a breeder, especially if you have no intent of breeding the dog yourself.

Lastly, buy a lab. They are brilliant dogs, easy to train, and loyal as hell. I've raised a bunch of labs, amazing dogs.

[Sheefeadalfuh]

I don't agree, I just got a German Shepherd pup and he is now 5 months old. Had I gotten one from the HS or an American bred I would have issues such as fear biting, bad hips, dog aggressions and the list goes on.

If you are looking for a pure breed dog the only place is a reputable breeder. If you are looking for a companion, pet, mixed breed. HS all the way. I have owned a mix breed when I was a kid and he was a great dog, and still missed. Now that I am older I have had 3 pure bred dogs and would not have done it differently.

Training:
a good puppy socialization class
Take him everywhere, park, malls, playgrounds, expose him to loud noises, don't hide the vacuum,
Positive training classes, my dog knew sit, lay down, and a short stay, by 3 1/2 months old using verbal or visual only.
Exercise is always, be it walks, run, fetch, hide n seek and if I don't I can tell in his behavior
Training is 24-7, sit in the kitchen, shake in front of the tv, heel during walk, 20 mins a day on focused one-one training, waiting at door so not to run when any door is opened the list goes on on not on specific items it is just non-stop on the little things doing them all the time.

even having had several dogs the work is always more than can be described. I have a family of 5 helping, being a young single guy, to give it to you straight, it will be tons of work. A bad dog as we all know is the result of a poor owner.

What ever you decide, you are doing your homework and that is the best start to making a good decision.
Keep us posted

-Slyder

[natahololll]

As far as Labs go... I'm very soured by labradors. I dated a chick whose family was very into animals. They trained their dogs very well, and... the older one seemed much smarter and calmer, but the younger one was just dumb as a box of rocks. We're talking wagged its tail so hard it had to be amputated after it started bleeding all over the walls. I've also met poorly trained labs that were dumb as a box of rocks, but they were understandably more awful.

So, my personal experience with labs is very one sided and I'm making decisions based on that. Theyre also very popular, (perhaps with good reason) but I tend to go for much rarer things in life. Hence the SRT-4 in a world of mustangs and camaros. The Triumph in a world of harleys and the Japs. And, maybe soon, a Viz or Weimer in a world of labs.

Slyder, you obviously know what you're doing! The advice you gave is very similar to the advice I've been hearing, but in more detail. Keep that coming.

I do now see how dogs and family go together well. The things now that are my main concern is just finding the time for the dog. My parents (where I'm currently living) will be gone all winter, so it'll be just me. Then, I'm hoping to move out within a year from now HOPEFULLY, which puts the pup with nobody from 6:30 to 4:50 every day. And then what if I want to go to milwaukee for a night? Thats an entire day, minus maybe twenty minutes that I would gladly excercise the dog. but still... I think my concern is clear.

I'm sure that I can financially support a dog, and I'm confident my enthusiasim will not wane, especially to a point where I would ever get rid of the dog. Time is, pretty much, the only concern of mine.

[natahololll]

visited a breeder on sunday. Quite a learning experience!

[halyshitzob]

As far as Labs go... I'm very soured by labradors. I dated a chick whose family was very into animals. They trained their dogs very well, and... the older one seemed much smarter and calmer, but the younger one was just dumb as a box of rocks. We're talking wagged its tail so hard it had to be amputated after it started bleeding all over the walls. I've also met poorly trained labs that were dumb as a box of rocks, but they were understandably more awful.

So, my personal experience with labs is very one sided and I'm making decisions based on that. Theyre also very popular, (perhaps with good reason) but I tend to go for much rarer things in life. Hence the SRT-4 in a world of mustangs and camaros. The Triumph in a world of harleys and the Japs. And, maybe soon, a Viz or Weimer in a world of labs.

I don't blame you, though, with a one-sided view it's hard to justify anything else. I've raised enough to know that even if they are dumb-as-hell they still make great dogs. Then again, they are the only dog I'd ever own. So, I am a bit one sided as well...lol. Choose what makes you happy, I just can't justify the cost of a purebred dog.

[Pdarassenko]

I don't blame you, though, with a one-sided view it's hard to justify anything else. I've raised enough to know that even if they are dumb-as-hell they still make great dogs. Then again, they are the only dog I'd ever own. So, I am a bit one sided as well...lol. Choose what makes you happy, I just can't justify the cost of a purebred dog.

I had a purebred black lab I got for free when I rescued them all wandering the street in front of my house in Las Vegas. I gave it back after 6 months. lol - one word described him. DESTRUCTIVE! I guess I'm one of those bad owners, haha.

[whatisthebluepill]

Greg, I also never had a pup as a kid, but did have a dog. Over the last 6 months I had got a purebread beagle from a girl I was seeing. She is absolutely adorable, the dog that is, and the best dog I could have in an apartment. She never barks, never howls, and is a people person, something beagles are known for. I ran into a problem though where I truely didn't have the time that was needed to be a good owner. As time progressed I invested in some thing that took even more time and less for the my pup. It got to the point where I knew she needed more attention for training and for playtime. I ended up giving her up to someone where I am still able to go see her on a regular basis, but it was better for her. I just had a buddy who got a pup and he too has relized he doesn't have the time and is now looking for a new home for him.

With this being said, I am in no way trying to talk you out of getting a puppy as I know I will again someday have one, but being a single guy it is extremely hard and time consuming. Especially if you are seeing someone cause you will want to give that extra time you have with her. It is allot more work then most people think to raise a pup. It is more then I thought that is for sure. Personally, I would say wait till you are settled down and older and have a routine schedule and plan on being home most of the time. Unless you have someone close that is willing to help you raise the pup while you are taking time for yourself and work. That someone should be family though as relationships don't always last and then the person you relied on isn't there to help anymore. I hope this helps. It sounds like you aren't rushing into this and are doing your homework first, but once you see the puppies, which you now did, it is hard not to want one right away. I hope this helps and doesn't discourage you. I just don't want to see you take the same path i did and have to get attatched to the lil one and then have to give it up cause you truelly don't have the time needed to invest in a puppy/dog.

[halyshitzob]

Keeping them occupied is the biggest deal in the first year of life, after the first year into the second they calm down immensely. Labs are awesome dogs, you just need to have the time in the first year for them. Similar to children in the first 7 years of life, if you don't keep them occupied, they will find something to occupy themselves. Chewing your couch up, or pooping on the rug, eating from the garbage etc...

[natahololll]

The advice does help. Jared, I remember your FB updates on your beagle.

[AlexBrith]

I have a boxer, which are also "highly energetic and intelligent". That usually is a great thing...unless you have limited time to train. I work a ton, and it was a struggle with my dog in the beginning. But he's 6 now, and I'm very glad I still have him. His only downfall, is as a boxer he has a very human-like personality...which means as well trained as he is, I have to be careful not to make him mad, or he will act out. He's a great companion and a ton of fun and laughs. I say maybe wait till you have a little more time....but either way, as long as you're willing to stick to it.

[F1grandprix]

Ever think of a golden retriever? There really loyal, smart, easy going. They just shed a lot in my opinion lol. Love mine though!

[Sheefeadalfuh]

I think he needs advice on whether it's a good idea at this stage of his life as opposed to the breed.
Miss my Golden TONS, I still catch myself calling my new dog my Golden's name :`(

-Slyder

[AnneseeKels]

My German Shepherd is 12 years old now. Very loyal and easy to train. His only problem now is he's getting old and arthritis is kicking in, although if a squirrel gets in the yard he'll bolt to the fence like he was a pup still.


As for owning a puppy with the busy life you'll likely be having in the next year or so....I really dont know if this is a good time for you to get a dog. I am not saying you couldnt handle it, I just think it may become more of a burden than an enjoyment. Those first few years are very important in the outcome of the dogs behavior.

[natahololll]

Just re-read all the responses here. Everyone has good advice and the comments seem to lean towards "wait".

As of right now, I have a deposit on a Vizsla for pickup in July. I've grown increasingly concerned that being gone from the house from 6:15-4:30 every day (including the 40min, one way, commute) is going to make this extremely hard if not impossible.

The more I think about it, the more I am realizing that maybe I should wait until I live closer to work. That's still not an ultimate solution though, because chances are I'll be a bachelor and from this first winter taking care of my parents house alone, the housework is enough to make me busy as hell. I almost just want to push it and make it happen, but I also know that I really shouldn't. I just am worried that it will be a long, long, long time till I get a dog if I don't figure something out for the time I'm at work.

[whatisthebluepill]

I like that you are thinking this through Greg. I regret trying to force it. I was lucky and able to give my pup away to someone who was close and caring. Honestly having a dog is almost like having a kid and if you are single that would make you a single parent. Please hold off until you are older and settled and have a companion living with you or a room mate. You seem very mature for your age, but I think it is more work then your thinking and you will end up figuring that out if you do decide to get one.

[natahololll]

So, the breeder contacted me saying a male pup is available for pickup in two weeks. Prior to this, I decided that I would either wait another year and get one this time next year, or if one opened up for pickup nowish I would consider it.

So, here I am, considering it.

I find myself again going back and fourth from "I shouldn't" to "yes!". I know a dog would restrict me to home life alot more, but don't know how much. I don't know how to judge it. I also am single now, so I do have much more time. I've been able to keep up with the house and no longer really feel as stressed as I did about how much stuff there was to do.

My really good buddy is moving to Iowa at the end of the summer also. I want to maximize bro-date time this summer while he is still in Mke, but also will probably be bored as HELL after he moves away. So, with a dog, I might miss out on some opportunity to hang out this summer, but also won't be as bored and can dedicate myself probably very easily over winter to a (will be at the time) 6-8 month old dog.

I also visited with a friend who just got a dog, its probably 9 months now. It was an absolute blast to hang out with her and the dog. The dog is awesome too (mix breed). It was pretty energetic almost the entire time we were there until the end it started to wind down, but she also told me that she hadn't really been home all day. So, that gave me somewhat of an idea what to expect, and I didn't think it was too bad, but EVERY DAY might get a little annoying.

I know that "you ask for advice when you know the answer and wish you didnt" but I'm asking for advice here. I mean, I really want to start training a dog so I can take it hunting sooner, and also just have this ideal image of playing on the beach with friends and playing/training/exercising/etc together and all of that sounds great. I just don't know!

If my parents didn't go to FL over winter this would be so much easier of a decision too!

UGH.

[sueplydup]

I'm not a Dog Guy ...... but Growing up we always pets , Dogs-Cats-Birds ( Cockatiel's) .... My Parents and Sisters Family's still have Tons of pets.


Unfortunately My pet .... Died this last month ..... Yes ' it was a Cat ...... He was 2 months Shy of his 18th Birthday. I got him at 7 weeks old .
I still miss seeing Him when I get home ...... I don't want anymore pets ..... but I can't deprive my son of having the Childhood I had so , I'm
sure Someday we'll get another pet of Some sort . But this one I won't try to get so attached to ...... Sure.

It's hard to think about , but Everything Ends . If your life will be more enjoyable with a pet , by all means get one.
But with the Good there is always some Bad ..... It's a toss up.