I'm guessing she may not want to part with those headphones. But why not make an offer for them over here . I'm sure 48% of the membership here are anxious to see the resultant avatar if you're successful.
Hi Ajarn... as with previous posts, excellent to know such thought is being given before making this life-changing decision - and it will be life-changing, but hopefully in a very positive way.
My family has recently grown, with the addition of Casper, a King Charles Cavalier, in November 09. He was 3 when we got him, his owner finding herself pregnant with twins and stressing out so much we offered to take him on.
And, I must say, it was a brilliant decision. I'm now told that this breed is one of the best for kids, having a really soft nature. They also are great if you aren't able to get a puppy, as they form new relationships very easily (which is why they are targetted by dog-thiefs) and seem to love everyone they meet. They are also very easy to train and, as a smaller breed, usually satisfied with a short walk each morning, and the same each night.
However, they do need company. I'm fortunate to work from home most days, so can give him the attention he craves (typing emails and handling calls while he sleeps on my lap!). I think this is true for most dogs, but certainly Casper used to be left alone most days and reacted by chewing furniture, socks, slippers - anything left around. Since moving in with us, this behaviour has not happened and I am positive it is because he is seldom left alone.
Lastly, as a dad of three, all of whom have had various pets, I can say with 100% certainty that you need to go into this with the belief that you alone will end up doing all the "chores" of dog ownership. No matter how enthusiastic the kids are on day 1, there lives change, and become busy in other ways. The dog will need someone committed to doing the necessary chores (walking, picking up poo, wiping dirty feet, bathing, vet visits etc.) every day, come rain or shine. That's you.
As an aside, I have an old cat, Tom, who was not delighted at Casper's arrival. We used a stair gate to keep Casper downstairs and allowed Tom to stay upstairs (which he loved, as he'd previously been banned from bedrooms). I'm pleased to say that, after 4 months together, they are now getting along fine (Tom is the boss, however, and only has to raise a paw and Casper runs away).
Anyway, recommend a Cav, and commend you once again for taken such consideration in making this important decision.
Ian.
It's nice to hear such positive experiences people have with their dogs - and thanks, imwright, for sharing yours. Thanks too for the excellent advice regarding breed. Should I go ahead, this will be invaluable.
Part of me says, like having a child, there is no right time, but when it happens it is the right time. However, I am realising that, perhaps, we could not devote the attention (between 8.00am and 5.00pm) that would be needed to successfully adopt a dog into our family.
I'll keep pondering for a while, but perhaps it has to wait until (as possibly may happen) my wiofe goers part time, at least. Also, of course, she would need to be on board.
Thanks once again, everyone, for contributing to this thread.
PS 22YDS: Funny how one cannot help assuming (subconsciously) that the avatars are the real pictures of the EFers! Maybe I need to get one.
Yes, I still have all those teeth -- except half of them are fake.
P.S. The only time we were slightly alarmed when travelling with the young dog was when Dogpa awoke with a start to see the bottom edge of the 600-euro hotel-room curtain in the jaws of the snoring upside-down dog. (Clarification: The curtain was tagged at 600 euros, not the hotel room.)
Definitely lots of good advice.
I agree with looking at breeds that suit what you can offer, mainly in regards to excercise needs physical AND mental, or what restrictions there are at home (hair loss around the house is definitely one to be considered and will generate friction)
I own a one year old working cocker spaniel (Father was gun dog champ etc) so both physical and mental needs are super high (walked up the Rigi kulm with snowshoes and snowboarded down with dog running both directions and he still wanted to run about after). I have the good luck to know the mum and 3 out of 4 siblings of his and he is the proverbial ugly duckling.
He is quiet, attentive, calm and eats his food slowly where as all the others are balls of energy flying around the house, whining, never sitting still and eat their food so fast sometimes you're not sure it was ever there (for anyone who has a spaniel I'm sure they understand)
So how is my cocker so different? I have spent A LOT of time with him. When he was 3 months old he came to live with me in Corsica where I was teaching windsurfing and sailing. We had a shoebox chalet with 80 people living nearby. But from 7-8am 12-1400 and then 1800 on he was always with me (or being cuddled by one of many friends he made). Then we went camping together for 4 months (italy, spain, portugal, france) and surfing/windsurfing.
He still goes everywhere with me and isn't a problem.
The other thing is who is going to be the pack leader. You or your daughter?
Not knowing who is in charge is very confusing for a dog (especially a puppy) and can lead to all sorts of behavioural problems.
Also everyone must play by the same rules. If Finn ( my spaniel) is going to be with someone without me there (not for 5 mintues obviously) they get told the commands, what to expect, what he is and isn't allowed to do and that he gets no human food or treats. I was lucky to be alone with Finn whilst he grew up. Two sets of rules again is very confusing for a dog. So you must decide as a family what they will be BEFORE you get the dog so from day one you all know how to treat it.
I'm definately all for getting a dog and plan on getting a second.
In regards to your initial questions I'll just talk about the money as everyone has covered the others well.
Christmas night last year, Finn and two Jack Russell friends got into a christmas pud that had been put into the bin because a glass had broken into it. Luckily they were discovered at 2am and taken straight to the vet. They all spent 3 days in dog hospital on a drip with appropriate medication to help cleanse the toxins from the raisins out of their body. Combined price for all three £2500 luckily the friend worked at the vets so we escaped any higher fees and pet insurance covered most. (this was in the UK I can't imagine the cost in Switzerland at that time of year)
So do think about the costs of accidents as they do happen. Insurance is the way to go (but don't be tricked by the companies as they word things to sound good. You want a policy where they pay upto a certain amount per illness per year! not just per illness. if you have any ongoing treatments then you end up forking out. Not many companies I know of offer this kind of policy but it's really worth the little bit more it costs.
By all means get a dog (please don't buy from petshops or puppy farms) with consent from your partner. But make sure the dog knows the rules and everyone plays by them and then it will be a happy dog (with enough exercise and love too of course)
Good point about everyone playing by the same rules. Children would love to have the dog sitting on the sofa or sleeping in the same bed as them. It can get confusing for the dog when you tell the dog to "down!" and the child invites it up when you are not looking.
I used to do that as a child and my dad would correct my behaviour telling me that the dog can only do that once he has learnt the proper hierachy in the household and sleeping in the same bed / climbing onto the sofa with you is a privilege . If not, it will see itself as the same position as your child and will lead to behavioural problems (over possessiveness etc) of not respecting your child.
Regardless of who the alpha is in the family, the dog's position in the family hierachy has to be the lowest.
And in my case the dog i lower even than the cats :P