Alfredo has been trying to talk me into taking him for a week or so now. He originally told me that his boss had emailed me and to read the email and tell him what I thought. So I checked my email and it says that they have a dog that they need to give away. Attached is a picture of a 4 year old boy playing in the snow. I went to Alfredo and said, "I don't get it. Is it some kind of joke? Because I don't understand." He came and saw the email and said there must have been a mistake made, but that his boss wanted to give away his dog and was I interested in getting it? I must admit that I was surprised. Alfredo has always said we wouldn't get a dog... and if we did it would definitely not be until the girls were older and could help take care of it. Now he was trying to talk me into a dog?!
My main thoughts on the matter were that a dog would provide one more mouth to feed, one more living thing to clean up after, one more thing to train and teach. Almost like having another child. With a full time job and 3 kids (one a newborn), I'm still not sure if I'm up to having a dog. But the girls and Alfredo fell in love with Chester and last night he made our home his own. He'll be a (mostly? entirely?) outdoor dog. And he seems very nice. He needs more training but I think he'll be a nice dog. But I'm still filled with mixed feelings, I must admit. So all of you dog lovers, reassure me. Tell me how much I'll grow to love this dog and how good it will be for my kids and such. (Don't lie and say it won't be more work or anything, just tell me all the good parts of having a dog! Please!) He is cute.
All of those things drive me crazy about our dog, BUT he really is wonderful for the kids! Our Chewy literally protects our kids and our home. I love watching the kids run and play with him.
ReplyDeleteI used to think that I would want our dog to be an outside dog, but now I would probably discourage that. Our dog thinks he is part of our family (one of the kids), he loves to lay on the floor at the foot of our beds at night, snuggle up next to the couch when we watch a movie, he runs and plays with the kids when they are outside and lays next to them when they sit and play on the floor. Any benefits for your children that would come from a dog probably won't come from a dog that is mostly outside...outside dogs tend to be really wound up and hyper when they are only occasionally brought into the house.
Is your new dog still a puppy? If so he will grow out of a lot of really annoying phases so don't worry they will pass:)
There are a lot of really great training tips that I could share to make the in the house thing a lot easier.
Congratulations on your new family member!!
P.S. I just went back and read this post again, so you do basically have a puppy. There will probably be a lot of things that will make you wish you never said yes to this venture! Give him some time he will mellow out (in a couple years,LOL:), but labs and collies are both good family dogs! Do you have a little kennel? You can do wonders with a kennel!
ReplyDeleteYou are gonna have your hands full, but you will really grow to love him!!
Our puppy has only been for sale one time on KSL since we got him, and now I would never want to sell him:)
My girls love having a dog!
ReplyDeleteWe have had Dax for about 7 years now. (almost to the day) We just love having her! For one thing, she is a great protector. For another thing, she is a built-in playmate for our girls. My dog, even in her growing age, is still very active and loves to play fetch. We have tought her some dorky tricks too. Teaching them tricks makes them even more fun to have around. (we tought her to jump through a hula-hoop, give us 5, shake, etc.
I recommend if your new dog is a chewer, to buy him a Kong. It is my dog's favorite toy! They are great for catch, great for training, and very very very durable. A nylabone is also really great to help with chewing.
I agree with "Aly" I would get a kennel. That helps with potty training, etc. I also agree with her about staying in the house. Everyone who has a dog that lives outside, complains that when kids go out to pay attention to them, or just to play on the swings or whatever, the dogs freak out at the attention and jump up on you and the kids. (I'm a huge advocate for indoor dogs) When they're inside, they become much more a part of you family.
Also, taking you pooch on a walk is a really fun activity for the dog, plus it's exercise for us humans. A Halti or Halty (not exactly sure of the spelling) is amazing. It is sort of like a harness, but it helps tremendously with pulling. Letting you take your dog for a walk instead of the other way around.
Congrats and Happy Training!!
He has a kennel. He is already able to sleep through the night in it without needing to get out and go to the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteBeing an outdoor dog is probably going to be the way it is... first, we are at work all day and second, Alfredo is very particular about the house. I appreciate all of the tips and would love any other suggestions.
He is still a puppy and needs a lot of training. But he seems very sweet. He hardly barks. He does jump up on us a lot. I know from things I've read in the past that collies need to feel useful and to have a job, since they are sheepherding dogs. They said he is still somewhat of a chewer, so I'll look into that Kong. Thanks for your suggestions.
so..... you know me - I LOVE dogs! Love em! Love em! Love em!!! They are cuddly and sweet and SO, SO LOYAL!!! They always love you unconditionally! Our dog even still loves Ty after hours of torcher (spelled wrong?). Anyway, I'm not going to lie! Puppies are a PAIN in the BOOTAY!!! I have wished more than once that I hadn't talked Mike into getting another Shar-pei! But... other times I'm as in love with that dog as I was the minute I saw him.
ReplyDeleteMy only advice to you is that you allow the girls to be around the dog as much as you can and having him inside when you are home is definitely one way to do that! There will be days that it will probably be TOO, TOO COLD for him to be outside. Watch the news - they will actually warn pet owners when those days will be!
O ya! And pet him! You would be surprised at how theraputic that can be!
I'm so happy for you guys!!!!! :) We'll have to come see him!
We will be in and out on Wednesday. But... will be home all day Friday until right after naptime. Maybe we can have a play date that morning! Say 10ish? If you guys are available. Then I"ll just need to put Ty down for an hour nap by 1:30ish! Let me know!
A great way to help him with the chewing thing is getting a big raw hide bone (those white ones with the knots on each end) soak it in warm (or hot) water and let one end of it get soft and then give it to him...he will love it and chew, chew, chew until his hearts content! You can buy a big bag of them at costco or wal-mart.
ReplyDeleteIf he has a kennel and can stay in it through the night on those cold days he should do fine in it in the house while you are at work.
With Alfredo being paritcular about the house, labs do shed a lot (I don't know about collies), that was one thing that did drive me crazy about Mokey (the chocolate lab we used to have). Lots and lots of vaccuming. The only other problem is tracking snow and mud in in the winter. Other than that the house should stay pretty nice with him being kennel trained. Keep his kennel by the back door during the winter so that he can go straight into the kennel to dry off first when it is wet outside.
After talking to Alfredo about your comments, we are both willing to try having him be indoors. We'd love to get any help you can give us with training, etc., Aly. (and any one else.) i remember Mokey. he was beautiful. i don't think chester will be as big or quite as beautiful as him. don't know if he'll shed as much as a lab either? thanks for all of your comments. they are really appreciated.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
ReplyDelete--D.H.
you are too cute, Jenny! It really does feel like we were all trying to talk you into keeping the dog inside! You know how particular I AM about my house, and somehow I manage. The DOGS stay in the basement and have a doggie door and a gate that confines them to the pool room while we are gone! My mom's dog is scared to death of a kennel, so I had to compromise! But... when we are home, they are allowed to roam freely - in and out, upstairs and downstairs. They are very much a part of the family! The cat, on the other hand... I don't think he wants to be part of the family (that is, until it gets cold). Let me know if you need anything - help - with the dog! Can't wait to meet him!
ReplyDeleteShannon, Let's get together Friday. 10ish sounds great. I'll call ya or if I don't, plan on it! The girls will be excited.
ReplyDeleteMy dog is one of my babys. He dirves me CRAZY sometimes but I love him so much. The girls love and bother him in the same breath. Be patient. All will work out.
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