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#12
December 13th 04, 05:07 PM
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On 2004-12-13, kaeli penned:
Some people even do doggy day care. No joke. And THAT can get very pricey. I do have some friends who do doggy day care at least once a week, and it seems like it's really good for the dog. The dog learns to interact positively with other dogs, gets tons of exercise, has worked a lot of energy off by the end of the day, and is generally a happy camper. Of course, just like human day care, they have closing times, and you may have to pick your dog up by 6pm. -- monique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey^H^H^H^Hblue-cream DLH with an attitude! 
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#13
December 13th 04, 05:54 PM
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"PattyC" wrote in
news:YVLud.2887$eO5.2546@trndny08: Lately, I have been thinking about getting a dog. I have talked to the local pet shelter about locating a 'cat friendly' dog. And I don't think I'd want a puppy. We are in discussions about whether this idea is a good one for me and my cats. I happened to visit a family today who has 2 dogs (they got them from breeders). They were quite cute. One was a terrier (like Toto!) and one was a Hungarian Vz...something. Both were very different, but each appealing. Vizsla? May I ask how many of you have dogs also? How much is involved in having a dog, work-wise, effort, money, etc.? I want to be realistic, since I know my cats do not require me to leave the house in 10 degree weather for example!!... I currently have one dog and one cat. I have had cats for most of my life, but just got the dog as a puppy three years ago. Dogs are a lot more work than cats, since as you say they must be walked in all weather, and they can't be left for as long. I have to always go straight home from work now, for instance, whereas when I just had cats I could go out after work, no problem. Of course you can arrange for dog walkers to ease that situation a bit. But I also feel that the dog needs more interaction time with me than the cats ever did (although I tend to be a homebody and did give the cats lots of time). By the time I got my dog, I was ready to make the commitment -- and she has been totally worth it -- she has brought me a lot of joy. I'm thinking I want a small dog, though today the pet counselor said they have 2 chiwawas (sp?? I CANT spell that??), and I was thinking ewww no. Not sure why except they don't seem much like dogs... Some of the small dogs might not be good choices -- terriers for instance can be terrible with cats (although we always had terriers with cats when I was growing up, and never had any problems). I personally like chihuahuas but always felt as a tall woman that it would be a comical picture, me taking my tiny dog for a walk! If you're going to adopt an adult dog, the shelter/rescue people will know generally whether s/he is good with cats. I got Zoe as a puppy, and like all puppies she wanted to chase the cat. I successfully taught her not to, and she lived in harmony with Madeline and now with Rosalie. She's a cocker/chow cross. The thing to probably watch out for is prey drive -- don't get a dog with a high prey drive. And if you get a dog, plan on taking obedience classes. A well-trained dog is a good family member and a good citizen -- it made all the difference to me and Zoe. I tried reading books and training her on my own, but having a class with a teacher was invaluable -- the teacher was able to point out what I was doing wrong and help me fix it. Oh, also, make sure you have plenty of time to exercise the dog. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Lots of dogs don't get enough exercise and sometimes behave problematically because of that. So, any advice, any suggestions as to what type of dog is good for a busy person with cats? I've known dogs of many breeds who have lived amiably with cats. If you're too busy to go home during the day, you should get an adult dog rather than a puppy. Plan to separate the dog from the cats until you know they're getting along great -- in my case, when I got Rosalie, I separated them only for a couple of days -- Rosalie wanted out, and wasn't scared of Zoe. You'll know when they are reliable together. When you're home, plan on supervising their interactions constantly for a while. Most dogs will have to be taught to respect the cats. I also make it clear in dog-language that the cat is the boss. Zoe "helps" me feed Rosalie (by accompanying me when I feed her), and Rosalie eats first (before the dog). Zoe has to come to me for treats, but I take the treats to wherever Rosalie is. Stuff like that. Also, no matter what the cat does, the dog is not to react aggressively -- Rosalie for instance likes to bat at Zoe's gorgeous plumey tail -- no growling is allowed, I don't care what has happened. I will also speak sharply to the cat if I think she is in the wrong, but it's Zoe's behavior that must be controlled because Zoe is the stronger of the two (but don't tell her I said that). I really like having a dog and a cat because they are very different and I love both the cat and the dog ways of being. They also demand different sorts of attention, as a single person I feel like I can give them both good attention on their own terms. They are also good company for each other, I think. --Catherine & Rosalie the calicohead with special guest appearance by Zoe the cockerchow
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#14
December 13th 04, 07:11 PM
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On 2004-12-13, ceb penned:
I also make it clear in dog-language that the cat is the boss. Zoe "helps" me feed Rosalie (by accompanying me when I feed her), and Rosalie eats first (before the dog). Zoe has to come to me for treats, but I take the treats to wherever Rosalie is. Stuff like that. Also, no matter what the cat does, the dog is not to react aggressively -- Rosalie for instance likes to bat at Zoe's gorgeous plumey tail -- no growling is allowed, I don't care what has happened. I will also speak sharply to the cat if I think she is in the wrong, but it's Zoe's behavior that must be controlled because Zoe is the stronger of the two (but don't tell her I said that). I think this depends on the personalities of the animals involved. You'd be amazed at how well a 10-pound cat can cow an 80-pound dog. In some households, the dogs are the ones that need defending! -- monique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey^H^H^H^Hblue-cream DLH with an attitude!
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#15
December 14th 04, 01:15 AM
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"ceb" wrote in message ... "PattyC" wrote in news:YVLud.2887$eO5.2546@trndny08: Lately, I have been thinking about getting a dog. I have talked to the local pet shelter about locating a 'cat friendly' dog. And I don't think I'd want a puppy. We are in discussions about whether this idea is a good one for me and my cats. I happened to visit a family today who has 2 dogs (they got them from breeders). They were quite cute. One was a terrier (like Toto!) and one was a Hungarian Vz...something. Both were very different, but each appealing. Vizsla? May I ask how many of you have dogs also? How much is involved in having a dog, work-wise, effort, money, etc.? I want to be realistic, since I know my cats do not require me to leave the house in 10 degree weather for example!!... I currently have one dog and one cat. I have had cats for most of my life, but just got the dog as a puppy three years ago. Dogs are a lot more work than cats, since as you say they must be walked in all weather, and they can't be left for as long. I have to always go straight home from work now, for instance, whereas when I just had cats I could go out after work, no problem. Of course you can arrange for dog walkers to ease that situation a bit. But I also feel that the dog needs more interaction time with me than the cats ever did (although I tend to be a homebody and did give the cats lots of time). By the time I got my dog, I was ready to make the commitment -- and she has been totally worth it -- she has brought me a lot of joy. I'm thinking I want a small dog, though today the pet counselor said they have 2 chiwawas (sp?? I CANT spell that??), and I was thinking ewww no. Not sure why except they don't seem much like dogs... Some of the small dogs might not be good choices -- terriers for instance can be terrible with cats (although we always had terriers with cats when I was growing up, and never had any problems). I personally like chihuahuas but always felt as a tall woman that it would be a comical picture, me taking my tiny dog for a walk! If you're going to adopt an adult dog, the shelter/rescue people will know generally whether s/he is good with cats. I got Zoe as a puppy, and like all puppies she wanted to chase the cat. I successfully taught her not to, and she lived in harmony with Madeline and now with Rosalie. She's a cocker/chow cross. The thing to probably watch out for is prey drive -- don't get a dog with a high prey drive. And if you get a dog, plan on taking obedience classes. A well-trained dog is a good family member and a good citizen -- it made all the difference to me and Zoe. I tried reading books and training her on my own, but having a class with a teacher was invaluable -- the teacher was able to point out what I was doing wrong and help me fix it. Oh, also, make sure you have plenty of time to exercise the dog. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Lots of dogs don't get enough exercise and sometimes behave problematically because of that. So, any advice, any suggestions as to what type of dog is good for a busy person with cats? I've known dogs of many breeds who have lived amiably with cats. If you're too busy to go home during the day, you should get an adult dog rather than a puppy. Plan to separate the dog from the cats until you know they're getting along great -- in my case, when I got Rosalie, I separated them only for a couple of days -- Rosalie wanted out, and wasn't scared of Zoe. You'll know when they are reliable together. When you're home, plan on supervising their interactions constantly for a while. Most dogs will have to be taught to respect the cats. I also make it clear in dog-language that the cat is the boss. Zoe "helps" me feed Rosalie (by accompanying me when I feed her), and Rosalie eats first (before the dog). Zoe has to come to me for treats, but I take the treats to wherever Rosalie is. Stuff like that. Also, no matter what the cat does, the dog is not to react aggressively -- Rosalie for instance likes to bat at Zoe's gorgeous plumey tail -- no growling is allowed, I don't care what has happened. I will also speak sharply to the cat if I think she is in the wrong, but it's Zoe's behavior that must be controlled because Zoe is the stronger of the two (but don't tell her I said that). I really like having a dog and a cat because they are very different and I love both the cat and the dog ways of being. They also demand different sorts of attention, as a single person I feel like I can give them both good attention on their own terms. They are also good company for each other, I think. --Catherine & Rosalie the calicohead with special guest appearance by Zoe the cockerchow Thanks for all the thoughts on this. I am self employed and mostly work at home, so while I am "busy," I am also around more than many might be. I think the key question is whether I am willing to do the work involved. Wouldn't you know I 'met' a 6 mo. chocolate lab puppy today at the shelter who really touched my heart? We took him into the 'cat room' and he sniffed then licked one of the friendly cats... All the advice given is appreciated. I have some thinking to do. PattyC
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#16
December 15th 04, 02:52 PM
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In article ,
enlightened us with... I don't mean to be argumenative, but your post came across to me as saying that having a dog is a real drag. Expensive and and a real pain. It CAN be. Especially for someone who's never had one. Many, many dogs are dropped off at shelters simply because people didn't realize how much work they are. The OP specifically stated that she's never had a dog and made a reference to having to go out in 10 degree weather, giving me the impression that she didn't have a yard to let the dog out in. I'm not saying they're not worth it. If I felt that way, I wouldn't have one. Most people with dogs will expound on how wonderful they are (I know I love mine to pieces) and neglect to mention all the hassles involved because to us, they really *aren't* hassles. We're used to it. But to someone who has never had a dog, it can be a real change in lifestyle. What's getting hit in the ass with snowballs first thing in the morning compared to wonderful doggy kisses?  -- -- ~kaeli~ When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
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#17
December 15th 04, 04:08 PM
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On 2004-12-15, Meghan Noecker penned:
On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 09:28:43 -0600, kaeli wrote: If you don't have time to have children, you don't have time for a dog. It's not THAT hard. Meals are simpler. You don't have to help them with their homework, buy lots of clothes for them, or take them to various sports practices. Dogs are typically cheerful, honest, and easy to get along with. They don't get moody. They don't run up the phone bill or beg for expensive sneakers. And it's a lot easier to work your schedule around them than children. Well, you *do* have to help them with their homework (keeping them in the habits they learned when they were trained). And I do know dogs who go to sports practice -- dogs who play flyball or herd recreationally. I have a friend who drives hours out of her way every weekend because her dog loves to herd! As for moody ... um, well. My dog used to lie down with his butt facing you when he felt insulted. With doggie farts, that's a dangerous form of moodiness! Granted, they're not as moody as kids, but they can be as moody as cats (destructive when bored, picky eaters when upset, etc). [snip] When I need to go out of town, I can get a family member to take care of them. And frankly, I worry more about the cats. The dogs will sleep on anybody's bed. But the cats have problems when I am gone. Kira used to have separate anxiety. She'd get sick all over my bed. For years, I would put a vinyl tablecloth on the bed, fuzzy side up, to protect my bed. I'd put a throw blanket on top to make it cusy for her. But I could come home, peel off the mess, and go to bed in a clean bed. The hardship was feeling guilty about being gone. Depends on the dog. My dog would lose weight if we left town; he'd only eat if the dogsitter stood by his bowl with him. He wanted companionship for meals. And whenever my dad was away on business, he'd mope, also not eat much, and would go nuts when he heard dad's voice on the answering machine. When I didn't spend enough time with my dog, he ate cardboard boxes. I felt awful. Of course it wasn't his fault; it was mine. I love dogs. I really do. But as someone who *does* know how much work they are, I harden my heart when I think of getting a puppy, or even an older dog. I just know that my lifestyle right now is too selfish for dog ownership. I do think it would be easier on me than on someone who's never had a dog. -- monique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey^H^H^H^Hblue-cream DLH with an attitude!
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#18
December 15th 04, 05:24 PM
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#19
December 15th 04, 10:01 PM
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PattyC wrote:
May I ask how many of you have dogs also? How much is involved in having a dog, work-wise, effort, money, etc.? I want to be realistic, since I know my cats do not require me to leave the house in 10 degree weather for example!!... Since you describe yourself as a busy person, I really wouldn't recommend getting a dog at this time. Keep in mind that unlike cats, dogs are pack animals. In addition to walking your dog, for a dog to feel secure and be well-behaved, they require a lot of both training and play-attention to learn that you are leader of their pack. Without the security of you acting as their pack leader, they are a lot more likely to be anxious and do things like chew up your belongings, tip over the trash, be a barking nuisance, etc. I've had dogs with cats in the past, but not now. As to what kind of dog to get with cats, I personally prefer a medium-sized dog large enough not to be intimidated by the cats, rather than a very small dog. Another point to consider is that some breeds, especially herding "working dog" breeds, can tend to be nervous if they don't have a large yard to run around in and expend energy. -- jamie ) "There's a seeker born every minute."
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