PDA

View Full Version : Opportunity to ge ta dog so do we or dont we?



ChelsLuke
18-12-2009, 14:57
We have a chance to get a 12 m old female labrador, microchipped, desexed vaccinated.
DH isnt a dog person so has basically said its up to me as he cannot guartee how much invovlement he will have, he admitted if it was his choice we would never get a dog.

Chelsea wants a dog, and wont shut up about it :laughing:

Luke is on the fence he lieks dogs but doesnt want it jumping on hima nd he wants to be able to play still.

Aaron well aarons outa the vote due to age.

Me I love dogs and want either a lab, retriever or mix of both.

We are also TTC #4 maybe more lmao.

I spoke to hubby and he said its my choice.

I want it so bad but purely for me and my selfish reasons. But im second guessing whether to get it as my kids are young, we are busy, Im home mostly but with xmas and everything Chaos isnt even putting it nicely. We are doing up our garden (putting in gravel to cover dirt. painting fences etc)

Our house is roomy, and I live on an acre property, which is fully fenced. I dont walk every day but I am hoping a dog will encourage that. We do have snake risk in summer and temps here do get hot, but we figure the dog can come inside if its too hot.

I also have 3 cats.

In the last few yrs we had 2 pups we had to rehome as they were just too full on for the kidlets. It got to the point that our kids didnt want to be in the same area as the pup. But the pup followed us everywhere inside and out. This time there will be a pen with plenty of room if we need to put the dog out of human contact range. IYKWIM.

As for going away we dont travel places much usually a day trip, on a sat for sport. When we do go away its normally overnight and we ahve someone people who can feed the dog.

My mums said not too she said the dogs too big and that we need a smaller breed, we wants us to get a bulldog. I dont want one i want a larger dog thats got a good rep and i will feel safe with kids being near and with having it inside whilst hubby is away for work.

No final decision will be made until we see and spend time with her. But would you go for it or leave it.

hayleylea
18-12-2009, 15:08
hmm thats a tough one!

I love dogs. I havent had too much experience with Labs, although they are beautiful dogs. I guess my question is why are the owners getting rid of it?? I know that labs can be very playfull puppies, and my sisters had 2 and they were pretty destructive of gardens and stuff (although they didnt have that much interaction which could well and truly be the reason!)

Has the dog been around kids before? Around cats since you have 3 cats?

Labs are smart dogs so it should pick up on training quickly....

They are pretty full on though - Any sort of dogs - So id say if you arent 100% sure then probably leave it till you are.

Goodluck with your decision :)

ChelsLuke
18-12-2009, 15:11
The dog is at an animal shelter she was found wandering the streets and never claimed by her owners. They said she loves people and is great with other dogs. Not sure about cats

hayleylea
18-12-2009, 15:20
awww lovely way to get a dog!! Again goodluck - have you been to have a look at her? If she doesnt like cats im sure you can introduce them slowly and they will soon enough get use to living with each other :) labs have a pretty placid nature so Im sure you could overcome that hurdle.

Hope all works out with the decision you make :)

ChelsLuke
18-12-2009, 15:25
No its 2 hrs from here so we might be up to go tomorrow. Im calling at 4.50pm to see if shes still there as they dont hold. And plan to be there as they open lol.

Its such a hard decision as If i say no Ill feel bad for my and Chels. If i say yes and issues arise well its my fault ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! I might go flip a coin ;)

mimsie
18-12-2009, 15:26
Labs can be puppies for as much as 3 years, so you'll need to be prepared for that possibility, they are so intelligent that in the pup stage they can be quite a handful, and need lots of stimulation to avoid digging/chewing etc.

Have you read Marley & Me? lol

Our dog was still a pup at 18 months - we had to move a long way and the people moving into our house had just had to leave their dog in Darwin, so they asked to keep her. She was a lab-brain (she was a mix but had a lab personality), and was a digger when she got bored, which was quickly.

On the flip side once they settle down they can be awesome, my sister has a 5yo and he's the most placid and gorgeous thing around, I adore him!

It's just whether you think you can manage the prospect of having a fully grown pup on your hands for a while :)

ChelsLuke
18-12-2009, 15:31
lmao i love marley and me so funny but i bawled so much at the end. Yeah puppy stage is a bit concerning but i figure its not forever

mimsie
18-12-2009, 15:32
You're absolutely right, it isn't :) It's just a matter of whether or not you can handle it while it is happening, and if so then it sounds like a good plan :)

Mum2Tyla
18-12-2009, 18:45
all comes down to training, was she desexed,microchipped before she went to the RSPCA, if not she was boviously not that well cared for, which means she was probably not trianed but she is still young, but it will take work, if she has not been trained she will jump, mouth, dig etc, if labs are trained they are great dogs if not they are very silly, hard decision to make on only seeing the dog for a short time in a shelter, good luck
Kelly

BabelFish
19-12-2009, 13:51
Dogs are hard work. They require a lot of love and attention, whether they are from a shelter or whether they are raised from puppyhood and bought from a reputable breeder.

They are very social animals and need to be a part of the family unit.

If you don't think you will have the time to dedicate a good portion of it to your dog, don't get one.

It is certainly a bad idea to get a dog, and then decide that it's too much and surrender it back to the merry-go-round of shelter life, adoption and surrender.

If you feel like you will have plenty of time to dedicate to your dog, and it will be a part of your family unit, please get this one! They are a beautiful and essential part of any family, I believe :)

ChelsLuke
19-12-2009, 14:34
Well thought I would update, I ended up in hospital this morning and never got to Adelaide.

I doubt that she will still be there. So it looks like we are waiting a bit for it.