Dog Owners

piratess

I have some questions:

What dog do you have? Choccie Lab 11 months

Why did you get your dog? Ive always wanted a dog but parents wouldnt allow it so now im all growed up we decided it was time!

Where did you get it? Locally (local breeder)

What does it eat? Burns dry food + sardines some days or burns tins other days

How much does it cost you weekly? £4 for the burns dry £1 for the sardines and £3 for the burns tins ... treats probably £2
insurance = £5 a week

Do you leave it alone? yes 2 hours on a friday morning ... 3 hours on a weds morning .. other than that just for shop runs etc

Work/holiday arrangements? I only work p/t so theres usually somone here

Do you do anything with it (agility/flyball etc)? Training classes, Long walks

Anything else you'd like to say Training classes are a must ours is still a rebel though! .. also id recomend a crate if your getting a dog, and patience!!! lots of it.

Bosun!

candygirl

Awww Bosun's a dead ringer for my late choccy lab Milo, who was such a naughty boy but totally adorable:D

orlao

LizD wrote: »

I have some questions:

What dog do you have? 3, 4 year old rottie, 2 xJRT, 10 years & 17 years

Why did you get your dog? Always had dogs, can't imagine having a clean house!:rotfl:

Where did you get it? Rottie from a breeder, JRTs were private rescues

What does it eat? They all eat Autarky and the terriers eat anything they can scavenge

How much does it cost you weekly? Food £3 a week, Wormers and flea treatment £2 a week, toys and treats £2, Dog walker £10 a visit


Do you leave it alone? Yes for 10 hours a day, longer than I like but needs must....and I have a dog flap with a VERY secure garden but if I have to work late I have a dog walker

Work/holiday arrangements?See above for work and they come on holiday with me or their favourite aunty moves in!


Do you do anything with it (agility/flyball etc)? Obedience training with the rottie, I do as I'm told by the terrors:D

quote]

mjburton

If you are considering getting a dog but are concerned about working also I would recommend you concentrate on the more laid back breeds!!
I have 2 lab crosses. I work full time and OH works shifts. They are both content boys and get 2 walks a day as well as fuss and attention - they are great de-stressers and love each others company too.

Greyhounds make fantastic companions needing far less exercise than you'd expect considering they get raced! There are also sadly far too many in rescue homes. They just want a comfortable bed and someone to love.

It's good to see you are thinking of all the practicalities of owning a dog before you find one - I hope it all goes well.

SarahLou

What dog do you have? Two Border Collies and a Cocker Spaniel

Why did you get your dog? Bought the first Border Collie as a companion for us, we had just moved in together, thought it'd be a good addition to the family! Second Border Collie soon followed about 3 months later as a friend for the first dog. And the Cocker Spaniel joined the family about 18 months later as a surprise birthday pressie for me!

Where did you get it? Border Collie number one came from a breeder of "pet" collies in Leeds, the second Border Collie came from a farm in Co. Durham. Cocker Spaniel came from a breeder, also in Co. Durham.

What does it eat? They're all fed on dry "Chappie Complete with Chicken"

How much does it cost you weekly? A 15kg bag lasts us about 3-4 weeks. A bag is approx £18. So for our three dogs you're looking at an average of approx £5 ish a week.

Do you leave it alone? We do. We have a purpose built dog compound with run in the garden. All of ours have been used to spending time out there (obviously together) so are fine with it. We rarely leave them in the house alone. Not through them not being trained or anything, its just we think its fairer for them to be outside in their large run with shed attached for shelter! All of ours are fully house trained too from puppy hood. However, you have to remember that we don't leave ours alone on their own - they've always got each others' company. If leave a dog for a long time on its own, it can become a little unfair.

Work/holiday arrangements? I'm on Maternity leave at the moment but before I left work to have my baby, we both worked full time. Our three were left in their compound outside during the daytime. I personally don't agree with dogs being left on their own (i.e. no other canine company) if you're out at work all day. Holiday wise, we take ours to boarding kennels. They usually love it!

Do you do anything with it (agility/flyball etc)? Lots of walks and I'm about to start agility training with our youngest Border Collie. Will be attending dog shows (just local ones) with our Cocker Spaniel this year too.

Anything else you'd like to say. Errrmmm, if you're thinking of getting a dog but you know you'll be out most/every day for long periods of time, please, please think about it carefully. Dogs are very social animals and you can't really blame them if they start getting destructive if they're left alone for long periods of time. I see it all too often unfortunately. It is such a great shame as dogs make superb pets. If you do work full time, maybe considering what we did - a large outdoor enclosure (obviously with shelter too) but this is ONLY acceptable really if you can get two dogs and not expect one to stay on its own all the time. Think carefully about the breed type too.

I help a lot of people with their dog training issues and see many people getting the wrong type of breeds.

If you'd like any further advice, please dont hesitate to PM me

foreign_correspondent

please remember, although it can be quite inexpensive to keep a dog, food is only a part of the total cost - in my post I gave a breakdown of all the costs I could think of, even the annual ones, so its worth considering the following too (and bear in mind that some dogs need regular clipping or grooming, and some breeds are more susceptable to health problems). Small female mongrels / terrier types seem to be about the hardiest and longest lived sort of dogs. Dogs prone to health problems may also be more expensive to insure...
Wagg Food lasts us over 12 weeks, so less than £1 a week for food
Halifax Pet Insurance - under £2 a week
Poop bags free from district council!
Worming and flea drops twice a year, perhaps a tenner per year, so pennies per week.
Vaccinations - about £20, every year to 18 months, so just over a quid a month.
Grooming - nothing if you get a dog with a sensible coat, not one of those fluffy things!
Total - probably about £4 a week!
When you first get a dog, you also need to get a dog bed, food bowls, lead and collar, name disc etc, but these do not cost a fortune and are a one off expenditure.

Chicken_Samosa

Here's my bit:

What dog do you have? 7 month old Parsons Jack Russell.

Why did you get your dog? Always wanted one and finally had the chance to get one!

Where did you get it? A pet shop in Grays, near Lakeside shopping centre.

What does it eat? Pretty much everything, but food at the moment is Hills Science Puppy Food.

How much does it cost you weekly? Factoring in food, insurance, treats and toys, I'd say around £10-£12.

Do you leave it alone? In the process of training it to be left alone.

Work/holiday arrangements? Live with parents so they look after it during the day, I take over when I get home from work.

Do you do anything with it (agility/flyball etc)? Have taught it basic commands like sit and lie down, can shake your hand every now and then but have bought a tricks book to help me on the way.

Anything else you'd like to say? Buying a dog is not a decision to be taken lightly, dont get one if you dont have the time, money or commitment to give it!

sammy_kaye18

aaawwww..............

the doggy pics are so cute so i thought id add my little dude onto the thread - ive mentioned him already on page one so heres my Bruno!
http://www.jack-russell-terrier.co.uk/reunited/displayimage.php?album=68&pos=1488

http://www.jack-russell-terrier.co.uk/reunited/displayimage.php?album=68&pos=1489

Kimberley

I have some questions:

What dog do you have? All sorts

Why did you get your dog? Love em

Where did you get it? Rescue

What does it eat? Dog food

How much does it cost you weekly? Up to £5

Do you leave it alone? Yes, even dogs need a break from us

Work/holiday arrangements? Sorted

Do you do anything with it (agility/flyball etc)? Play/walk etc

Anything else you'd like to say. Stop being nosey

Buddy_Banana

have some questions:

What dog do you have? Doberman & Golden Retriever

Why did you get your dog? Always interested in dogs but couldn't have one as a child as no-one home for it - studying canine psychology & aggression - love of dogs, hobby, interested in behaviour & body language of dogs

Where did you get it? Breeder in a home environment with other animals and children for both dogs.

What does it eat? Wainwrights Salmon & Potato

How much does it cost you weekly? approx £10 for both (£5 each)

Do you leave it alone? only for approx 1-2 hours whilst shopping (both together in garden) once a week, about half an hour other days.

Work/holiday arrangements? Both dogs together to my parents.

Do you do anything with it (agility/flyball etc)? Training, running, playing games.

Anything else you'd like to say. Good luck if this is for a study!