So, younger daughter (turning 16 yrs old in a couple weeks) has been asking for a dog for forever. I've always told her No, but I'm now starting to cave a little, lol. He/she would be a combo birthday/Christmas gift for her.
I grew up with a dog and always enjoyed them, but they were very laid-back and lazy! My first dog was a a litttle mutt (looked like Benji) that was semi-old by the time I was born, and then when I was about 10 yrs old, we got a bassett hound that just laid around everywhere. So, in other words, I never had to really take care of a young, energetic dog.
My daughter has been researching majorly for a while now, and has asked for a Samoyed. It looks like this breed is friendly and won't have to worry about its temperament. I know this is a very active breed which is fine by me... we're a fairly active family (it's just me and my 18yo and 16yo daughters).
Here's some pros I've come up with off the top of my head:
1)We have a big yard and would plan on putting some sort of overhead run for him/her to get hooked up to.
2)Our neighbors are pet-friendly too, so they wouldn't mind if it barked occasionally.
3)We have lots of bike/hike trails and parks in our area to take it out to, and my daughter is looking forward to doing that.
4)Don't have to bathe them very often (although if we do, that's not a problem, we have an unfinished basement with an old shower down there for winter, or an outdoor spigot for summer)
And some cons:
1)We'd have to get him/her as a young puppy so that I could make sure it would adapt to our cat and bunny, and hopefully that would work.
2)They shed a lot, but have read that it's usually just at season changes.. but not really looking forward to a ton of hair all over the place, lol.
3)Heard they can attach to just one person.. not sure if this is true or not, but hoping he/she would attach to all of us.
4)They're expensive.. the cheapest I have found within driving distance to us is $950. Then all the vet bills, food, toys, etc.
5)Like to chew stuff or dig holes if bored? I'd have to make sure I'd get plenty of chew toys I guess.
And just a couple questions:
How long does it take to potty train? How often do you need to take them out usually?
I've never had to potty train a dog and am lost on this.
What is crate training and what does that entail?
Please give me any other thoughts about getting one.. other pros and cons?
Thanks!
Michelle
I grew up with a dog and always enjoyed them, but they were very laid-back and lazy! My first dog was a a litttle mutt (looked like Benji) that was semi-old by the time I was born, and then when I was about 10 yrs old, we got a bassett hound that just laid around everywhere. So, in other words, I never had to really take care of a young, energetic dog.
My daughter has been researching majorly for a while now, and has asked for a Samoyed. It looks like this breed is friendly and won't have to worry about its temperament. I know this is a very active breed which is fine by me... we're a fairly active family (it's just me and my 18yo and 16yo daughters).
Here's some pros I've come up with off the top of my head:
1)We have a big yard and would plan on putting some sort of overhead run for him/her to get hooked up to.
2)Our neighbors are pet-friendly too, so they wouldn't mind if it barked occasionally.
3)We have lots of bike/hike trails and parks in our area to take it out to, and my daughter is looking forward to doing that.
4)Don't have to bathe them very often (although if we do, that's not a problem, we have an unfinished basement with an old shower down there for winter, or an outdoor spigot for summer)
And some cons:
1)We'd have to get him/her as a young puppy so that I could make sure it would adapt to our cat and bunny, and hopefully that would work.
2)They shed a lot, but have read that it's usually just at season changes.. but not really looking forward to a ton of hair all over the place, lol.
3)Heard they can attach to just one person.. not sure if this is true or not, but hoping he/she would attach to all of us.
4)They're expensive.. the cheapest I have found within driving distance to us is $950. Then all the vet bills, food, toys, etc.
5)Like to chew stuff or dig holes if bored? I'd have to make sure I'd get plenty of chew toys I guess.
And just a couple questions:
How long does it take to potty train? How often do you need to take them out usually?
I've never had to potty train a dog and am lost on this.
What is crate training and what does that entail?
Please give me any other thoughts about getting one.. other pros and cons?
Thanks!
Michelle