Might be getting a dog.
Discussion
Hi all,
Myself and the OH have been thinking of getting a dog for a while now (rottweiler). We where badly burgled earlier this week so has brought the thinking forward some what. We already have 2 4 year old cats, but I know the pup would take more looking after as the cats tend to look after themselves.
After any pointers anyone could give as neither of us have had a dog before.
Myself and the OH have been thinking of getting a dog for a while now (rottweiler). We where badly burgled earlier this week so has brought the thinking forward some what. We already have 2 4 year old cats, but I know the pup would take more looking after as the cats tend to look after themselves.
After any pointers anyone could give as neither of us have had a dog before.
I'd had a cat for 2 years before getting a puppy, pup is now 6 months old and they adore each other, curl up together, cat washes the dog, however, I was very careful and introduced the dog to the cat under the cats terms, I also still use a crate for the puppy at night and leave the cat to have free reign over the rest of the house.
How much time do you have available to dedicate to training to dog?
How much time do you have available to dedicate to training to dog?
Interesting you say that about Rottweilers a few people we know have them and cats and they get on fine. But I guess that's down to how you introduce them from the start.
We both work during the day so would keep them deprecate while we wernt here until they got used to each other. Would also take him training as we have seen the joys a couple we know have had with their untrained beagle.
We both work during the day so would keep them deprecate while we wernt here until they got used to each other. Would also take him training as we have seen the joys a couple we know have had with their untrained beagle.
There is no reason why a rottie won't mix with your cats. If your cats are going to be miserable around a dog the breed won't matter.
If they are assertive they will put a pup of any breed in its place pretty quick!
My main concern is you take time about where you get the pup from. They are a breed often bred badly in bad housing areas. Go on a rottie forum and get asking on there for word of mouth reputations etc.
I could go on and on about do's and don'ts of buying a pup but bit late tonight and you may have the info already!
When you do introduce to the cats there are good and bad ways to do this so nearer the time if you need advice I can help.
If they are assertive they will put a pup of any breed in its place pretty quick!
My main concern is you take time about where you get the pup from. They are a breed often bred badly in bad housing areas. Go on a rottie forum and get asking on there for word of mouth reputations etc.
I could go on and on about do's and don'ts of buying a pup but bit late tonight and you may have the info already!
When you do introduce to the cats there are good and bad ways to do this so nearer the time if you need advice I can help.
Nigel Worc's said:
I assume it isn't your first dog, as although they can be lovely, that's a large powerful animal for a first dog.
Just an opinion, absolutely no offence meant
Our first dog although the OH grew up around bit dogs and we have looked after a fair few rotties. Just an opinion, absolutely no offence meant
Planning on paying the premium to get a pedigree so we know it hasn't been crossed with anything dodgy etc.
It's quite amusing to see this hulking muscular beast try and stalk pigeons in the garden 
Depends entirely on the nature of the cats. I had 2 cats (now one 
)a year or two before we got our dogs. And they get on very well (apart from the deceased cat who was very indepedent). Our dogs arent exactly 'calm' and can be very excitable even though they are going to be 8 and 10 this year they adore eachother and I frquently see the cat and my youngest dog sleeping together on the same mat 
So as I say it depends on the nature of the cats, introduce them calmly as that is what we did, they may be wary of eachother for a while but will get used to one another.
)a year or two before we got our dogs. And they get on very well (apart from the deceased cat who was very indepedent). Our dogs arent exactly 'calm' and can be very excitable even though they are going to be 8 and 10 this year they adore eachother and I frquently see the cat and my youngest dog sleeping together on the same mat So as I say it depends on the nature of the cats, introduce them calmly as that is what we did, they may be wary of eachother for a while but will get used to one another.
66comanche said:
Don't do it - you sound completely clueless (no offence) with regard to dogs - as for comparing the attention/care/training they need to a cat(!)
Spend the money on a burglar alarm, decent locks, CCTV etc.
Everyone has to start somewhere, we were all first time dog owners at some point!. At least one of then has been around dogs and they are making enquiries before getting a dog, which is more than many do!Spend the money on a burglar alarm, decent locks, CCTV etc.
Sounds like you have your heart set on a rotty, so I will offer the best advice that I have recieved with regards dogs. (I have an English mastiff and a staff x) Whether you like it or not, some people will judge you for having what they consider a 'status' dog. They will judge our dogs twice as harshly, for making half the mistakes. Therefore it is our resposibilty to make sure our dogs are exemplary members of the dog world and prove people wrong!
Ensure it is well socialised, with people and dogs. Spend sufficient time with training. The same as any other dog really IMHO.
No reason why a Rottie won't make a fine pet, they are affectionate animals BUT always remember they were a droving dog so you need to not allow a situation where it can try to drove to arise!
No reason why a Rottie won't make a fine pet, they are affectionate animals BUT always remember they were a droving dog so you need to not allow a situation where it can try to drove to arise!
66comanche said:
Don't do it - you sound completely clueless (no offence) with regard to dogs - as for comparing the attention/care/training they need to a cat(!)
Spend the money on a burglar alarm, decent locks, CCTV etc.
Oh I'm sorry dog whisper I didn't realise you can't have a dog unless you have owned one before! Spend the money on a burglar alarm, decent locks, CCTV etc.
BTW we already have a burglar alarm, decent locks etc and where planning on getting a dog anyway!
Lippitt said:
Sounds like you have your heart set on a rotty, so I will offer the best advice that I have recieved with regards dogs. (I have an English mastiff and a staff x) Whether you like it or not, some people will judge you for having what they consider a 'status' dog. They will judge our dogs twice as harshly, for making half the mistakes. Therefore it is our resposibilty to make sure our dogs are exemplary members of the dog world and prove people wrong!
I get what you mean, we both prefere bigger dogs, was a toss up between a rotty and a alsatian. The 'status' dog thing I understand and we have agreed that it's going to be trained from day one, we have friends with dog they never bothered training and they are little sods to put it nicely.
LeftMuffin said:
Oh I'm sorry dog whisper I didn't realise you can't have a dog unless you have owned one before!
BTW we already have a burglar alarm, decent locks etc and where planning on getting a dog anyway!
I was trying to avoid this response (and didn't get it, thanks), with my original post.BTW we already have a burglar alarm, decent locks etc and where planning on getting a dog anyway!
Please think carefully about your choice of dog, and why you're getting it.
Burglars don't like dogs because they make noise, rather than being afraid of the dog.
The real nasty ones will kill your dog, usually by poison, but one of my neighbours when I was a lad in brum, had their labrador stabbed to death.
I've been around dogs all my life, because I'm lucky, my parents always had at least one, and since I've owned my own home, so have I.
I'd suggest, as tactfully as I can, that owning a rottie, bull mastiff, staffy, alsation, etc, as a first dog, is akin to having a 911 as a first car.
They can be lovely animals, most are, but they do need the correct handling, and the breed you have chosen is also on the non dog worlds "hit list".
As an annoying noise, a yorkshire terrier will be as good as a rottie, sort of thing (not that I'm suggesting one for you).
If you were to ask the question, what dog would the PH massive suggest as my first dog ?
As a long standing dog owner, I'd suggest one of the retrievers, any of them, they are gentle, and the easiest breeds to own, in my experience.
Good luck.
The thing of getting a rotty as a first dog I can understand, however it's the breed of dog we want to get. I understand they may not be the 'easiest' breed of dog to get first but at the same time we don't want to get a different breed first then a rotty so to speak.
The burglary isn't the only reason we want to get a dog at all. We have wanted to get to get one for many years but we used to rent a flat so didn't think it was suitable, not that we have bought a house we have started looking at the possibility.
Regarding the dog being left alone during the day, I come back home for lunch each day and my mum (who has always wanted a dog) has said she will come and keep an eye on him while we are at work.
It's not a case of we are going to get a dog tomorrow (although the OH wants to). I'm mearly asking for more info/advice for when we eventually make the decision to get a dog.
The burglary isn't the only reason we want to get a dog at all. We have wanted to get to get one for many years but we used to rent a flat so didn't think it was suitable, not that we have bought a house we have started looking at the possibility.
Regarding the dog being left alone during the day, I come back home for lunch each day and my mum (who has always wanted a dog) has said she will come and keep an eye on him while we are at work.
It's not a case of we are going to get a dog tomorrow (although the OH wants to). I'm mearly asking for more info/advice for when we eventually make the decision to get a dog.
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