To get a Dog or not?

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Discussion

wolfy1988

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

162 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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Hi Guys

My fiancée and I are thinking of getting a dog shortly. I have grown up with dogs and love animals. I have been without one for over 5 years, we haven't got one sooner as there has never what seems to be the right time and Mrs Wolfy isn't crazy on dogs, likes them but doesn't go goo goo ga ga over them..

Her mother is fostering two pups at the moment that were rescued, they are around 8 weeks old atm, I have fallen head over heals for one of them, "Nero" I think he is a Red Merle Collie type dog.

The reason for my head and heart argument is I would love to have him and know I can offer him a great and loving home, I work entirely from home and live on the edge of a huge park. I have the time, money and patience for a energetic dog and everything they demand and rightly need.

Now, what I don't have, is a house, live in a large penthouse apartment, sound proofing is not a problem, nor is internal space, I have a large balcony bit would not let him out there unsupervised for quite some time tbh and I worry about holidays, we are getting married next year, and will be away for 3 weeks in the US, I would hate to leave him with others but would have no choice.

In terms of exercise and company, i would walk him minimum 2 hours a day, an hour before and after work, lots of play during the day, constant interaction would be guaranteed. but is it still morally wrong for him to be in apartment?

I realise the above asks no clear question, Im just torn between what I want and being ultimately sensible :/





Also, I have no idea how big he will grow, his paws are not that big like some large breeds as pups, this picture was taken last night, next to my foot (size 10) I have no idea if he is big or small!


Edited by wolfy1988 on Saturday 28th June 17:48

JFReturns

3,693 posts

170 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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Two hours exercise and plenty of companionship in the day is what counts. I think you will be fine, go for it!

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
Nothing wrong with an apartment life for a dog but may make toilet training a pup harder. You would need access to taking him outside several times a day once vaccinated.

We had a pup in a flat initially so I know it was tougher toilet training but it worked out ok. Otherwise it was no different to being in a house (it is nice for the dog to wander in the garden during nice days when we're at home but that isn't every day)

Re: getting wed, we did exactly the same, rescued pup then realised after we needed a carer of a relatively young dog for 3 weeks, my parents neighbours helped out on the day of the wedding then parents had him smile. We were lucky.


With a bit of planning and commitment you will do fine smile

Fort Jefferson

8,237 posts

221 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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Don't forget you'll have to pick it's sh!t up.

Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

202 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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Based on paw size he won't be that big.

Looking at his coat, he will never be a pretty dog.



Looking forward to updates "dad"

wolfy1988

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

162 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
Shaw Tarse said:
Based on paw size he won't be that big.

Looking at his coat, he will never be a pretty dog.



Looking forward to updates "dad"
I must really like the dog because you have really upset me hehe

wolfy1988

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

162 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the advise and words of encouragement! I have just over a week to decide, as thats when they will be back in the rescue centre to be rehomed.

My fiancee has suggested that we foster first to see if the lifestyle suits us, this is a very sensible suggestion which makes a lot of sense but sometimes I really hate sensible suggestions!

Hmmm, Its a big decision isn't it? and neither of us are known for making decisions lightly.

Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

202 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
If you can foster for a week or two, I'd say try it (May be difficult to Han a dog back)
From what you've posted it sounds like you can offer a good home.


At the moment I can't frown

wolfy1988

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

162 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
Shaw Tarse said:
If you can foster for a week or two, I'd say try it (May be difficult to Hand a dog back)
From what you've posted it sounds like you can offer a good home.


At the moment I can't frown
Ah yeah, it sucks. If your anything like me you want what you cant have! smile

Your time will come! I have waited a good 8 years for the right time.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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No I say go for it. You've thought it through already, I think now is the right time. There will be clubs you can join as pup gets older (agility etc) which a collie type will love.

Our Jimmy came into our lives unplanned (dumped at the vets I worked at, skin and bone) took him home for a weekend (orange box for a bed!) and he never left. Best decision of our lives and utterly devastated when we lost our best friend last year.

My hubby was wary as he'd only had cats before, he was completely converted within days smile

wolfy1988

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

162 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
See, how can you possibly say no that utterly adorable ball of fluff smile

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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Really great seeing someone who's thought this through and can offer a great home - OP, do it!

I work from home and having a dog has been great for both of us

All the best smile

Morningside

24,110 posts

228 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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By balcony I guess you are not on the ground floor. Just remember that being a puppy he will need lots and lots of panic runs to the door. I just hope you make it in time. Also not being on the ground floor and he is bursting at 2am for a pee you cannot just let him into the back garden.

Apart from that, good luck smile

KFC

3,687 posts

129 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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If you work from home all day then a dog in your apartment is getting more access to toilet breaks through the day than a dog living in a house with a 1 acre garden that has owners who work all day...

I work as a volunteer in a dog home and someone living in an apartment definitely wouldn't be a straight 'no'... it all depends on circumstances. A great dane in a bedsit would be too much... but a normal size dog in an a normal sized apartment, with an owner who works from home, is absolutely fine.

We put one puppy with a bloke in an apartment recently... went to visit him and he's got a kids paddling pool with the sides trimmed down a bit on his balcony.... he's filled it with turf from the DIY store. Using that to toilet train her for now and seems to be working pretty well (4th floor so slow getting her outside when needed, leading to accidents)

CAPP0

19,532 posts

202 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
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Speaking as a dog owner.....

We took ours away for the weekend with us to a hotel, where our room was on the first floor. It was a complete PITA having to troop down the stairs, unlocking doors, finding somewhere for her to toilet, last thing and first thing. And she has a bladder like a camel!

Can't imagine not being able to just open the back door and tell her to go for a "last wee". Don't want to put you off but something to (really) think about.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
It's definitely possible though smile, I had to with Jimmy, there were accidents of course but he learned quickly how to let us know when he needed to go out. It'll be so so worth it in the end. Don't regret it for a minute with Jimbo.

KFC

3,687 posts

129 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
OP you should seriously look into creating an outdoor area on the balcony. While he's so small it should be very easy to make it completely safe for him to be out there.... and 2am piss breaks from an apartment not on the ground floor aren't going to be fun laugh

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
KFC said:
OP you should seriously look into creating an outdoor area on the balcony. While he's so small it should be very easy to make it completely safe for him to be out there.... and 2am piss breaks from an apartment not on the ground floor aren't going to be fun laugh
I was wondering about that. Even if you have to use puppy pads out there (have mixed feelings about them but they have their uses in cases like these) what other materials could they use?

KFC

3,687 posts

129 months

Saturday 28th June 2014
quotequote all
bexVN said:
I was wondering about that. Even if you have to use puppy pads out there (have mixed feelings about them but they have their uses in cases like these) what other materials could they use?
See my post a few above smile

One guy we took a puppy to has cut down the sides of a kids paddling pool and put a couple of rolls of turf in it. Slatted wooden balcony with 5mm gaps so needed something to catch any misfires or they'd have dripped into the balcony below laugh If you had a solid balcony floor you could maybe just lay a roll or two of turf down?