a doggie question (not cancer related)

[Andrea]

I was not sure where to post this, so since it is a "caregiver" issue in a way, I figured here. Lately I noticed sooo many posts about people getting doggies.

My parents NEVER had a dog, they were NOT animal people, my mom did dog bites for Allstate as a claims adjuster, etc. Suddenly they realize my mom could use a dog It can keep my mom company and my dad can have someone to play ball with.

My dad's concern is his hardwood floors and he does not want the dog pottying all around the house (he is so anal about the house, although no one comes into it). I am getting mixed responses from people, so here is my question:

Has anyone gotten a dog already potty trained or sent the dog out for

potty training?

If they get one, they want to get one from a shelter instead of a breeder, not even sure what kind of dog yet. They want a smallish dog that is friendly, won't tear the house apart, etc.

Thank you

[Donna G]

Many times shelter or rescue dogs are old enough to be already house broken. I think a young dog does better being kenneled and taken out side before roming around the house. They learn that ourside is the place to go. Go to http://www.petfinder.org/ they usually have lots of dogs all varieties looking for a home. Donna G

[Remembering Dave]

Donna took the words right out of my mouth and that's a great website, too.

Yes, slightly older dogs will often be already house trained so that issue will be OK. also, they may want to find a breed that doesn't shed so much like a schnauzer, if your dad is anal about the house. I know what you mean, my dad is the same way about their house. we could never have a dog and when I got a cat as a kid he said "not in the house" so I would open my bedroom window (first floor) and let my cat in at night to sleep with me!

I can't imagine them EVER getting a pet, even with cancer!

good luck!

Karen

[Snowflake]

Andrea,

The dog I had to put to sleep in December was a pound puppy. She was seven months old when I got her and was potty trained BUT we didn't know each others' "signals". Once I caught on to the "peepee dance", life was great!

Current puppy was NOT house trained. ARGH! One thing, puppies have small bladders, so accidents are MAYBE a tablespoon... It takes patience to potty train them and persistence (and we STILL are not "there" yet).

If you want a dog that doesn't shed much, get a Yorkie or a Poodle. Not sure about Poodles, but I know that Yorkies are hard to housetrain - my ex-MIL had TWO that reached 10+ years old and NEVER stopped "marking" their territory on her furniture, cupboards...anyone that stood still long enough to be a "post"...Oy!

MaryAnn can give you some great doggie tips, drop her a PM...or Addie....

I guess the first tip is to BE SURE it's what you want. The end product is wonderful, but there's a lot of work to EARNING unconditional love...

PS My new baby is a pain in the butt right now, but she's a keeper...

[Don Wood]

The last Beagle we got was 2 years old and trained. As pointed out, your can get these at rescue centers or SPCA. However, even with the dog trained, sometimes there is an adjustment period to a new unfamiliar surrounding, and the dog may tend to potty in the house at first. Be aware of this. That is what we experienced. Sounds like a wonderful idea to get a dog for your parents. Go for it. Don

[mhutch1366]

Andrea,

Read the book something like "there's no such thing as a bad dog" by joyce woodruff or wood something, she's british.

She talks sense about dogs.

Unconditional love, but you have to make some accomodations.

It might be just the thing for both of them!

XOXOX

MaryAnn

You guys are making me nuts, I lived with dogs since I was 7 but six months before diagnosis when my marriage split, I was suddenly dogless, and it's a profound psychological adjustment to make. Good luck.

[natalie]

The best thing we did, was get my mom a dog. We found Mocha from www.petfinders.com I would definitely recommend a 2 year old dog. Mocha was 8 months when we got him and it's now that finally we see him growing into a mature little doggy. He was an awesome friend to my mom and was at her side. He now is my Dad's best friend. He is so loyal to my Dad. There's something that an animal knows... They knows who needs them the most.

[natalie]

oh ooops, I see that Donna told you about the website. That shows you just how great it is!!! Mocha came from a Cocker Spaniel rescue place. He was so well taken care of by his foster parents and they gave us some coupons for food and vet bills.

[betplace]

Can I make an alternative suggestion? Instead of a dog, which is labor intensive, and your Mom does not need to be chasing after hair, toys, taking walks, cleaning accidents etc. How about a cat or kitten. All you do is feed em and love em, the litter box takes care of the mess and they don't need to be walked. Not to say their isn't any training involved, but I find them less labor intensive, dogs are more work.

[Snowflake]

Uh, Betty...you CAN end up with a kitty that's not litter box trained... I have. Dogs potty right in the middle of the floor, kitties "hide" it behind stereos, couches, etc.

Kitties climb curtains, get up on kitchen counters (yuck!), shed (just like doggies) and have "catitude" - I've had too many cat food processors that just hid all day... Ghost cats, the only way I knew I had a cat was the empty food dish, full litter box, cat hair on MY pillow (was my ex-husband's cat) AND "hairball surprise" in the morning. Dogs normally sleep at night, cats seldom do...

Ah, can you TELL I'm a "Dog Person"??

[Angie Daughter of Bill]

A dog sounds great for your Mom. I do have to agree with Becky......I used to have a Yorkie growing up. He was PRECIOUS, BUT he never quit "piddling" in the floor. I got him as a 2 month old puppy and he lived 13 years. That's a loooooong time to put up with "piddles" in the floor.

Now, I have aslo had a cat. Actually, I saved him. I found him with a dead mommy. He was only 2 or 3 days old according to the vet. I had to stick a tiny tube down his throat to get the formula to his belly for the first 4 or 5 weeks. (this was done 8 times......count them 8 times each day. (yes, during the night, too) He was a breeze to train with his litter box. He NEVER, not one time, had a "piddle" in the floor. Now, he did like to leave me presents. There's nothing like getting up in the middle of the night to go potty and feeling a big hairball squish between your toes!!! YUCK!!! And, he did want to get on the kitchen counters and prowl.

So, all in all, I guess the dog was better. What is best though is that now I have a pound puppy who stays OUTSIDE!! She has almost 200 acres to roam free on so I don't feel bad about leaving her outside.

Good luck on your search!!

Angie

P.S. The VERY BEST house pooch that I ever had was a cross between a shitzu and pekignese(sp??) She was adorable and VERY easy to train. I have heard that boy dogs are harder to train. ???? I don't know.

[kdgirl]

I would DEFINITELY recommend an adult dog, especially since your parents will be first-time dog owners. Petfinder is a great site, especially for getting a sense of what types of dogs are out there. And HUGE kudos to your parents for deciding to get a rescue dog from a shelter--there are SO MANY wonderful older dogs who need homes. A good portion of them have been surrendered not because of abuse or neglect, but because of divorce, or a move to somewhere that doesn't allow pets, or children who develop allergies.

In terms of housebreaking, most older dogs are already housebroken (or close). And even if they're not fully housebroken, their bladders are developed to the point where they can "hold it" for a respectable length of time. I SWEAR by crate training--my dog Kayla now naps in her crate when she needs downtime, and goes to her crate on command when I am at work and at night. Also, obedience training (even for an adult dog) is helpful, not only for teaching basic commands, but also for socialization w/ other dogs and developing a bond between dog and owner(s).

I adopted my "shepherd mix" (shelter-speak for "we have no idea" ) from City of Chicago Animal Care and Control at five months (she is now 15 months and only 35 pounds). I would advise your parents to look at Petfinder and other shelter websites, but also to spend time just visiting shelters in their area and see who steals their heart!

Animal family members are wonderful for the spirit--I think your parents are making a good decision.

Blessings,

Katie

[-Cheryl-]

We've had pets the 21 years we have been married. Two words come to mind...Doggy Door. If you have a contained backyard, you'll find this quite accomodating, and so will the pet.

Cheryl

[TheresaKB]

Hello,

I think a dog will do wonders for your Mom like what our dog did to my Mom. My Mom lives with us and as she was alone in the house most of the day (hubby and I work, kids go to school), we decided to buy a dog for her. We got a papillon from a breeder. He was 8 weeks old when we got him but we easily potty trained him. My Mom helped too and this dog has become the love of her life. She never had a dog before but now I could not imagine my Mom without Tippy (our dog).

Go for it! I bet your Mom and Dad will eventually love the dog. Try reading up on Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It seems like this dog is rated as the best companion and lap dog for senior sitizen.

Theresa

[teresag]

I'm just barely resisting the temptation to rave about how wonderful cats are, esp. after Snowflake's post.

But, seriously, lots of good advice above. A pet can be a wonderful companion for anyone, but especially for someone who can't get out a lot. My sister's little miniature pinscher was a great friend to my father when he was dying. She would run into the house and jump up on the bed to say hello. The day he died, she stood at the door, whimpering, and wouldn't enter the house. They are amazingly perceptive, and seem to have gifts that we humans can't begin to understand.

Kudos to your parents, Andrea, for choosing a shelter animal. There are SO many wonderful pets out there waiting for homes. I'm sure they will find the perfect companion and friend!

[Andrea]

Thank you so much everyone! I printed out this thread to show my parents

[gerbil runner]

I'm late to the party, but let me say this... the pet that "speaks" emotionaly to your mom is the one. I've always had pets-from hamsters to my 100-lb. rottie. No animal is perfect, just as no person is. But the one you love, the one you "have to take home no matter what"...is the one you keep.

Each animal is different. Some dogs will be harder to train, but easier to love. Some cats are cool and indifferent, and others will purr in such a way that you never care how much they shed. For some people, the way a guinea pig sprawls on your lap with careless pleasure is the best pet.

I guess what I mean is that pets are chosen for emotional needs, in most cases. So "love at first sight" counts for a lot. The pet that begs to come in to your home, the one you simply cannot leave behind, is the right one.

I have a 60-lb. pit bull, two kitties from the pound, and two guinea pigs. Love 'em all, for different reasons.

And as far as dogs go, there are many rescue groups who carefully evaluate pets before adoption. Others do not. We attempted to go through a shelter, and ended up with a dog that bit one of my sons (not badly enough to need treatment, but unprovoked). We found our current dog from a breeder. He's not perfect - has ripped apart his kennel several times because he hates to be left alone - but completely loves all of us, scares away intruders, and adores my 2 younger sons even though they stomp on him when given a chance. He will always have to sleep in a crate, and is tough on our guests, but he's a happy, loving clown. The wagging tail and relentless desire to "kiss" everyone has won him his place.

Love is never wasted, and pets are well worth the trouble. Choose the pet that adores you.

[Debi]

Jen summed up everything that anyone could say about the value of a pet...

I just wanted to add that there are some smaller dogs that can be trained to go in a litter box. That may be easier than having to walk the dog or to get up early to let it out or worrying if you are going to be gone for the day. I copied a paragraph from a website I saw:

Litter training is a wonderful option for puppies and small breeds who simply do not have the bladder capacity of larger dogs. It´s also far better than the old paper training method, which often confused puppies. PLUS, you can take a litter box with you on vacations, so you won´t have to worry about your dog refusing to relieve himself in a parking lot.

[chloesmom]

I so definately believe that a dog would be a great companion for both your mom and dad. I am a dog lover, have had at least one for all of my adult life and I was also raised with dogs and a variety of other critters.

A grown rescue or shelter dog would be really great, just be sure that the reason it's in the rescue or shelter system is not because of aggressiveness. When I had Dalmatians, if they were not bred carefully, and sometimes even if they were, they had a tendency to become aggressive and families would turn them over to rescue because they couldn't deal with them anymore. I would just hate to have your parents get one and then find out that they can't keep it.

Dogs are also turned over for all other kinds of reasons--allergies, change in living situation, etc., and that should be no problem to integrate into your parents' home.

I suggest that whatever your parents get, they should also have a crate for the dog. It's the place where the dog can go and it's all their own, and they won't have accidents in the same place where they sleep.

All of my puppies have been crate-trained, and it's great. I knew they were safe and sound when no one was home and nothing got ruined. They eventually all get the run of the house and turn out to be great members of the family, where they promptly take over the household, such as sleeping in the people's bed, making a racket when they wake up because they are hungry and want to be fed and let out, and letting us cater to them in many many other ways. But we love them dearly and wouldn't have it any other way!!!!!

Good luck--I think this is better than any anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medicine I have ever had.....pets light up my life.

Cindy

[gail p-m]

I think it all has been said on this thread already and I just want to add my vote for a dog and I personally, I've gone for the SPCA dogs and/or rescue group dogs. But do try to get background on the dogs to best meet your parent's needs. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats -- dogs are always excited to see you and give unconditional love. They make you think that you are the most important and most wonderful person in the world each and every time you come home. The cats --- well -- they're independent critters and will give you love when and if they want to.

Let us know if you get your Mom a pet and how it goes.

Gail P-M

[paddy]

Our little dog was a "Rescue" dog and came to us with perfect potty manners. Used the doggy door right away!The only mess he makes is when he gets into the garbage or into tissue boxes. He chews the tissues up and spreads them all over the carpet! Grrrr! I wouldn't be without him though, and he is such a comfort to Dave who adores him.

I don't think you will every find a "perfect" dog but they really are the most loving animals and good companions for people who are ill. The lady whom we got our dog from brought several dogs around to our house and made sure that we got the one that suited us. She also said we could return him to her if it didn't work out between us. Perhaps you could find someone who would agree to do this.

Good Luck. Paddy

[DonnaB]

Doggies ~ Ya gotta luv em,

I lost my beloved 8½ year old Golden Retriever, “Buddy”, this past Memorial Day weekend, due to a sudden and devastating illness that overcame him from nowhere and after incurring great expense at the vet surgeon specialist. Buddy was an ever-faithful friend and companion to me and my husband and his loss for us was immense. Buddy always had a smile and wagging tail whenever we opened the door. He knew when we were happy, sad, mad, or somewhere in-between. Buddy loved to go on trips and walks and thought that anyone that came to our house, came to visit him. The shedding of his golden hair was at times annoying; we always had a lint brush handy for the house, in the cars and ready for guests. Buddy was 6 months old and house trained when we got him. Although I still mourn his loss, I knew that first week he was gone that our household needed another companion and friend.

I started going to a couple of local shelters, trying to see if there was another soul-mate there for us, even signed up to be a volunteer at one shelter and started checking the newspaper. One day in the “FOUND” section was a listing for a golden retriever. I called after several days I told the couple who placed the ad that if the owner of the dog was not located, I may be interested in adopting this dog. The couple had two dogs already and they had not received any other calls. We made the long drive to their home and saw “Molly”. Molly has a much different personality from our Buddy, and although we thought we wanted another male dog, we brought Molly home and she is happy in our home with 2 cats and is now part of our family. She does have a couple of bad tricks that we are learning about, like she will get into the leftovers if left out, either on the kitchen counter or on the table. I would like to stop this habit, but may just have to re-train the people. Just wanted to suggest another avenue for finding a loving pet and reiterate those who have written before who love their canine family members. We also may adopt another dog soon. I may investigate applying for being a raiser for Guide Dogs.

Other considerations: If pet hair/shedding will be a problem, investigate breeds that DON’T shed – There is not a “shedding season", it is a never-ending process of vacuuming, brushing, getting the hair off clothing and furniture. Consider the size of the dog/breed. Bigger dogs = more food; lifting on occasion and if they should become ill; groomers also charge by dog size. If you go away for a night or more, you will need a dog/house sitter. All dogs need to be seen by a veterinarian for regular health check ups and scheduled vaccinations. All dogs need to be spayed/neutered. I discovered Molly had never been spayed at our first vet visit, so I am looking at another big vet bill to have this done…

Hoping you, your mom and dad get many happy doggie smiles and tail wags and big doggie kisses soon

[sandrakclev]

Aren't dogs wonderful!? I would recommend a dog that is at least two years old, simply because it can take that long to outgrow puppy behaviors! Check the ads in the paper - many people have to find a new home for a wonderful pet due to the onset of allergies or because they have to move and are unable to take Fido with them. Also, your local human society could be a big help in finding just the right dog; they usually know many of the dogs' personalities.

As for the potty training issue - try installing a doorbell INSIDE the house down near the floor (at paw level). Each time you take dog outside, push the bell with his paw and immediately open the door. He will make the connection in no time and will "ring" to go out. No more mixed signals!

Good luck!

Sandra

[kimblanchard]

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