Pet Peeves About Getting Puppies - Comments

I absolutely agree!!!

@ brienne.angel
It is. There are so many reasons why the dog needs to know recall.

If a dog jumps up on you. Just bring your knee up. It will make them get off of you. The owners should know that not everyone wants a dog jump up on others even if they have dogs themselves. That's my point. Just because it's a good dog doesn't mean someone wants to be jumped on if they are frightened of dogs. If anything, that will just make the fear worse.

It might go well if they are friends. Also if you have a bigger dog come around randomly. Just get the dog to focus on you like I said earlier. Just make sure the dog gets into a calm state of mind before continuing the walk.

Absolutely - at puppy school and advanced training, the teacher stressed every single lesson that 'come' is the most important command, and that you must reward heavily for it and continue that training for a long time. And I agree it's the most important because of so many reasons

I mean, I've even had a dog jump up on me, and he had muddy paws. I didn't want that at all, obviously. I didn't want the dog running up to me in the first place, but still, it's just inconsiderate to not call the dog back or put it on a lead first And I relate to what you mean with people being afraid of dogs, and it's definitely not fair to (essentially) force a dog onto them, no matter how well trained/behaved the dog is. It should be their choice, and dog owners should respect that. And they should be aware that just because I have a dog myself doesn't mean that I want their dog to come up to me.

Hmmm I could try that I only have one friend with a bigger dog and I believe during their last play session they made friends

@ brienne.angel
Of course, you need to know the health, life span, and certain needs. I believe that is part of the research. It's like a St. Bernard is a really kind dog who work well around small children despite their size, but they have a lot of health problems due to their size. People just need to take into account about the known problems with the dogs and what they can afford.

Training is a big thing for dogs. If you don't work with the dog, they may start to think that they are the alpha. It's just because the owner doesn't present themselves as the alpha. All dogs must know the recall. It's for their safety like they were about to run out into a busy street. Recall is something that has been really stressed when I was training my dog.

Oh, I know. Most people think that since their dog is so good; then all dogs are like that. There could be a chance that the dog isn't ready for that excitement. They need to have their dogs under control at all times. It's important that they don't let their dogs attack or freak out people who are afraid of dogs (I have had a friend who was petrified of dogs). The dogs just don't need to be running up to others, even if they are just being friendly.

I think what you can do is ask someone who has a bigger dog that is trained well and under complete control walk with you. If your dog starts to freak out, get the dog to sit and focus on you. When the dog has calmed down and is focusing on you, walk with the dog. Don't do it for very long. Just do it for maybe five minutes, and when your dog stops acting up, increase the time to ten minutes. Have the other dog walk towards you and next to you. When you are done working on that, play with your dog for the same amount of time that you worked with him that day. If you use praise with the dog, the dog won't work for treats.

It's always important to do research and prepare for the dog's life.

I agree so much - it's incredibly important to do the breed research first, and it's not just for personality matches, it's for health, life expectancy, care required (e.g. grooming), etc. I'd go more into it, but I feel like you've covered it sufficiently in your blog and comments and there's not much point joining in on the rant You've hit the nail on the head.

I do think there are two more crucial things when getting a puppy: training, and respecting other dogs and their owners. I saw you mentioned training in one of the comments, and I agree. I can't believe people don't put any effort into things like walking on a lead, or 'come', hell, even 'sit', and then they can't figure out why the dog is pulling for the whole walk or refuses to return to them etc. I really think that people need to put in the work for training while the pup is still young and then constantly reenforce it, as that will benefit everyone.

And for respecting other dogs and their owners, this is something I've come across heaps since getting my own puppy 5 months ago (and believe me, I was well researched and prepared ). I had a medium sized family dog during my teens and I didn't really notice it because he wasn't bothered by it on walks, but now with a small bichon pup who is intimidated by massive dogs, I see the problem clearly and it frustrates me. Other dog owners don't take precautions when approaching another dog and its owner on a walk. My dog is happily walking on his lead, we're minding our own business, and suddenly a large-breed dog will run up to us and scare my poor boy. Most owners don't make any effort to call their dog back or put it on a lead first, and I've only been asked two or three times by an owner if the two dogs can come closer and sniff each other. They seem to think that because their dog is okay (being off the lead, coming back, socialising with other dogs) that means that my dog is okay. But he's not. He's fine with smaller dogs, but I don't blame him for freaking out when a huge dog comes running towards him, even if the dog's intentions are good. And this has not helped his training whatsoever (and please, if you have any tips for me to help him not be so worried and defensive around bigger dogs on walks, I'd love to hear them!), but the majority of other dog owners just aren't considerate. And I feel like that's a huge part of being a dog owner - doing things like moving to the side when pedestrians pass, appreciating that not everyone wants your dog sniffing them or wants to pat them, and realising that other dogs might not be fine with your dog.

But anyway. My point is that you can't just buy a cute little puppy on a spur - you have to be prepared and know what you're doing, and not just for the puppy stage, for the rest of its life. Because having that well-behaved dog that everyone wants is not an easy journey.

@ Join the Masquerade
I really don't know anything much bout birds besides you have to feed nd give them waster.
That bird hates me. He also bites me if I try to put him back on his cage when he climbs off.

Oh, I dunno... birds can be just as hard to handle as dogs. I guess it's not seen as such an issue because if someone raises a bird with a bad behavioural problem they spend their lives inside a cage.
Your mum's grey sounds amazing to me XD My bird calls me a slut and says I have ugly feet.

@ Xxzackysangel6661Xx
I know. It's important that they do a lot of research. I would even talk to a dog trainer before getting one. They would be able to explain what kind of dogs to get. It's just bad for the dog because it's not getting the care it needs or it ends up in a animal shelter which can mean that it won't get to live very long if it doesn't get adopted. I would never get a dog before doing proper research.

I have to agree with this. It is totally important to research the breeds before getting a dog and honestly I know a few too many people who haven't done their research or maybe not enough research.

@ James Barnes;
I know. They just get it because they like the way they act. Like I can't remember where I read it. It was in one of those dog magazines. A girl bought a English mastiff for her kids because she saw one on Harry Potter and thought it would be a good dog because of how it acted on the show. Then she was surprised by how expense that dog got. Mastiffs have to have a lot of food and are known to have joint problems due to their size. Plus they have to have a high mental challenge and exercise. It annoys me that they don't take into account that they need to get dogs that they can properly be taken care of instead of getting a dog because they saw the breed in a movie.

I agree with this. I hate when people don't research dog breeds than flip out when the dog grows up to be nothing like what they wanted.. Annoys me to no end.

@ Synical
Well, maybe she will eventually come around to the dog like she did with the kitten.

My bullmastiff will sleep against my back or my side and use the pillow or my shoulder. He keeps me so warm during the night.

Oh, don't worry, my dogs are like my children as well. It's fine. I do to at times.

Yeah. The big cat likes to sneak up on my dog and my dog doesn't like being surprised., The big cat is territorial and so jealous. I had her first. Adopted her from the humanes society. Had her almost a year and a half all to myself until I rescued a kitten.

Big cat didn't like her at all for the longest time but eventually they loved each other. :) She's just a big baby is all. The dog sleeps in my legs under the blanket and my big cat sleeps in my armpit while the little cat sleeps by my other side lol.

They're like my children. Sorry I talk too much.

@ Synical
I think dogs think that they are either bigger or smaller than they really are. I know that's how my dogs are. If there are strangers are at my house, both of my dogs will be on the protective.

I think your cat is in love with the dog. She may be more open to the dog because she is younger and more open-minded to new things unlike the older one. The older one could just be territorial and trying to assert her dominance. I don't know much about cats, but that could just be something that's causing it. At least it's just verbal.

@ Theo Rossi;
Lol yeah. My seven pound dog thinks she's 150 sometimes. She's very protective of me and has a pretty big bark when she feels threatened by strangers.

My younger cat loves the dog. They run and play together and my dog is the one my cat rubs on when she's in heat.

My older, fixed fat cat is not so fond of the dog. They coexist but they fight like cats and dogs sometimes. Usually it's just a verbal fight of wills lol.

@ Join the Masquerade
I have seen a cat get a long with a bird if they grow up with the bird. My dogs will chase birds, and we can't let my mom's bird out because of our dogs sadly.

I love dogs, and I'm very passionate about them. I like cockatails or birds that just whistle. I'm not big on parrots that talk, and my mom has an African Grey that calls me an idiot. I'm sure birds are somewhat easier to handle, or that's what I think. I'm educated on birds.

@ Synical
I'm glad that it worked out well for you. Small dogs are usually easier to take care of because of the fact that they don't need as much exercise as some of the bigger dogs like a Czechoslovakian wolf dog or greyhound.

She seems like a good little companion. I know my bullmastiff thinks he is a lap dog who is 150 pounds. Isn't great when they get along with the other animals in the home?

She couldn't get a cat because we have had birds in the household first, including her own. She did want one and it would have suited her much better.

The way you feel about dogs is the way I feel about birds :3

This blog! Yes! I'll admit I didn't research my dog until after I got her but in the beginning, I was only keeping her temporarily for a family member who was going to get evicted. In the short time I fell in love with the dog and cried when they took her back. Luckily for me, she was already trained in her ways with me so she acted out once they took her back. They were sick of her because of it. I paid them $80 to get her back. She's been mine ever since and I've enjoyed her so much and researching her.

Her breed fits my lifestyle. She's a miniature pinscher. All the research I've done talks about how affectionate they are and even good with seniors. She's puppy pad trained well, she brings my grandma joy and isn't aggressive. Basically she's a lap dog and even sleeps with me under the blanket everynight. Doesn't require loads of food and it said they can receive the exercise they need even in an apartment. I feel horrible leaving her for five hours while I'm at work but she gets along great with my two cats.

@ Join the Masquerade
Any dog can be really great dogs if people know how to get one that matches with their lifestyle and start working with it when they are young. I'm a bit guilty of not working with my dog when he was young, but I'm working with him now. He is a much better dog now that I'm walking him everyday and I'm giving him the mental challenges.

She should have taken in account her lifestyle. It seems like if she wanted a pet then she should have gotten a cat that's more independent. Dogs need to have the pack mind unlike cats. I wouldn't praise a dog for jumping or whining because jumping on people is bad. My smaller dog (a boxer which is only 60 pounds) knocked someone over. The person wasn't hurt, and he wasn't being aggressive, just playful. If she is giving into the whining, then she is encouraging a bad behavior and she isn't the alpha. The dog probably has anxiety because she is leaving the dog in an excited state of mind, and she needs to have a routine with her dog that's able to keep the dog calm. I feel sorry for the poor dog.

I'm sorry. I'm kind of ranting.