Thread: Should I get a dog.

Hello, I was after some advice please.

I think I want a dog. I would like something I can train to indicate deer and I'm a Tauranga SAR member so I might want to have a go at using it for that too.

I had my heart set on a Vizsla but I have talked to a few breeders and they all agree that since I work full time and am single, (so no-one's home during the day), that a Viszla is not the breed for me.

So my questions are...

Should I get a dog since I'm at work all day?

And, if so, what's breed would you recommend? I am a novice trainer but other than work have heaps of time to spend with it.

Do you have time for a dog ? Running, training, cleaning out kennel / run , all burn time especially in the winter, get home it's wet cold and shitty..want to take the hound for a run / clean shit out of a compound?

Do you have a secure area for said dog..are you looking at traveling in the next 5 years? Can you afford good tucker , immunisation, rego, vet bills , etc

Food for thought.

Dogs are bloody fantastic, loyal trusting and hard working. But you have to do you part to!

Yep. I have considered all that & there's no problems there. It's only the being at home during work days that concerns me & what breed would suit.

ours are left at home for 8 hrs a day no worries.
but if you have to ask on a forum if the times right then maybe it isn't.

@kawhia, the question is more of 'what breed would suit me'. If a Vizsla isn't suitable then what else would experienced hunters/dog owners recommend?

Labrador or heading dog seems to be the never fail option.
if ya hearts set on a vizsla find a breeder that breeds for a normal vizsla temp, stay away from breeders that have lines that require 24hr care.

Originally Posted by Ricochet

@kawhia, the question is more of 'what breed would suit me'. If a Vizsla isn't suitable then what else would experienced hunters/dog owners recommend?

Your welcome to come out home and check out my wirehair we are in te puna

Dogs are a big commitment, if it were me and I have a viszla and a lab i would go for a heading dog

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

Most people who own dogs are at work if not for some of the day then all day...and being totally obvious, just make sure that your dog is absolutely secure in its run, motel or whatever you confine it in.. @Ricochet, if you want and/or would like a Vizsla go for it...

No.

get 2

Originally Posted by rossi.45

get 2

No..................... we got 2 pups (as SWMBO was determined they not be lonely when we weren't home). NEVER EVER AGAIN

It has taken a long time for ME to be top dog. in their pack and caused many many many issuses. Now that they are 7 peace is reining in the house but the first two years were a battle.

When the time comes for replacement I will be looking for an older dog that perhaps didn't quite make the grade for trialing which can have a good life with me doing some hunting of many things, some sleeping on the couch and generally being my "best mate" and keeping me company on the hill

Dogs are a commitment that is for sure but being dogless is something I could not be

PS the local council will not let us have more than 2 dogs in town, pity they cant do the same rule for those with children!!

Originally Posted by mikee

No..................... we got 2 pups (as SWMBO was determined they not be lonely when we weren't home). NEVER EVER AGAIN

It has taken a long time for ME to be top dog. in their pack and caused many many many issuses. Now that they are 7 peace is reining in the house but the first two years were a battle.

i cannot imagine the situation where 2 pups don't know who TOP Dog is . . its me .. . or there is some negative reinforcement coming their way until they understand.

Originally Posted by rossi.45

i cannot imagine the situation where 2 pups don't know who TOP Dog is . . its me .. . or there is some negative reinforcement coming their way until they understand.

Amen.
Our son has a 5 month old Husky pup that does what it likes with him. When I speak it listens because I've made it that way. She recently went through the food aggression thing, I was outside when she got fed and our youngest decided to go and pat her, the dog growled and I growled louder and more viciously, backed her off her food and growled till she rolled over then got the daughter to pick up the dogs food and walk away then bring it back, when she put it down the dog went to snatch at the food so I growled again. I kept that up for a few days and now anyone in the household can go take her food at any time.
The biggest problem I find is people who have a "fur baby" instead of a dog, they treat it like an equal and dogs don't like that. They need a leader for their pack and will try to take that roll if you let them.

Originally Posted by Maarty

Amen.
The biggest problem I find is people who have a "fur baby" instead of a dog, they treat it like an equal and dogs don't like that. They need a leader for their pack and will try to take that roll if you let them.

a couple of days ago i hear this woman calling her dog . .. it goes on for about 10 minutes, this constant pleading noise. So eventually i go outside, maybe she needs help.
The dog, a nice lookn 12 month old foxy cross is trotting around at the end of the block ... totally ignoring her, i suggest she goes to the dog. . . nope.
Then the dog sees a cat and chases it and bails it up a fence a couple of houses down . .. still no response except the constant calling . .. which is comes across as part nagging and pleading
Eventually the dog comes back to much praise and patting etc . . . . being the helpful type i suggest different strategies which may help . . no way ' he's a good dog except for the running away and chasing cats ' she said.
Sadly i let myself down here . .. instead of telling her a story about how a friend of mine had the same problem and this is how they fixed it - my partner said i should try this method . .. i said your the problem and stop acting like a mother and more like a dog owner.
Nice lady, she's a teacher at the local school for many years. . . i shook my head and walked away . . reminds me of the time i saw half a dozen teachers standing around lookn at a tent without a clue what to do . . . people