Thinking of getting a dog for DH (LONG)

[Disney Debbie]

First let me preface - DH had a little mutty dog that someone dumped out in front of the radio station years ago and he brought home. She was obviously mistreated (she had shoestring tied around her neck) and even though we had her for the next 9 years she was always fearful and nervous. She especially hated little boys! Anyway - I hated that dog! I know, I'm a terrible person - but she was not housetrained when we got her and the best we could do was get her to at least pee MOST of the time on the paper in the kitchen. HOWEVER - as often as not it was on the carpet! We tried to train her, we tried to take her for walks - but she'd turn into a stone if you put a leash around her neck (I'm assuming having to do with the shoestring trauma) so we never could do that. I can't tell you how many times I'd take her outside and she'd stare at me until I'd let her back in and THEN she'd pee on the carpet!!!! But the dog was CRAZY about Bill and vice versa. Anyway - she died the end of July. I asked DH if he'd want another dog and he said no back then. He said he didn't want to get that attached again. But I really think he's missing having one. I wouldn't mind getting one if we could get it as a puppy - when we could train it and know it had never been mistreated. But I'm not a dog person - so if I got it, it would be HIS dog. So I guess my question is - should I go with what he said a few months ago and just leave things alone? Or should I surprise him with a dog - that will then be his responsibility?

 

[Deb in IA]

Drop little hints: So, do you STILL not want a dog? If you did get another dog, what kind (breed) would you want? Gee, it's kinda lonely here without a dog, don't you think?


See what his response is to your questions. If he seems receptive, well, maybe you've got your Christmas present for him already!

 

[iluvorlando]

I agree with Deb. Feel him out. I don't think anyone would like an animal "sprung" on them. But.....after our dog died, we finally relented since our daughters really begged us for another dog.

 

[mrsv98]

I agree with dropping a few hints, but I think I would go ahead and do it! We are getting a puppy in Feb to be a companion to our 6 yo lab because 1: we want to keep her young and 2: we don't want to be in a position when we don't have a dog. My one warning...if your previous dog soiled the carpet, no matter how much you clean it, the scent will still be there and it will be very difficult to housebreak the pup. If at all possible, I would get a new carpet. Otherwise, try and find someone who specializes in removing pet odors and that might help. Good luck!

 

[aahmom1]

I know this is sad, but sometimes the best thing you can do when a pet dies is to get another. It sounds so heartless but I really think it's true. Get him a Golden Retriever, we have a golden puppy and that dog loves my husband to death. Nothing makes him happier than seeing my husband walk in the door at night, it's the sweetest thing.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If I picked out a dog, DH would consider it my dog. In order for it to be HIS he has to pick it out, that much I know about my dh.

Personally I have been pet free for 1 1/2yrs and I am loving it. Of course I had had pets for over 30yrs and needed a break. We do plan on a dog in couple of years when I am ready.

Anyway something to think about, good luck!

 

[KozmicLee]

Maybe you could take him to the animal shelter and see if he likes any puppies he sees?

 

[janette]

Go to www.petfinder.org and you can search in your area for dogs available in shelters and the pound for adoption. You might show him the site and see what he thinks of the dogs available.

 

[WillyJ]

I would ask in a general way and see how he reacts; if it's positive, then say you need to think about it some more. . then surprise him!! LOL!!

Good luck with it Debbie!. .

 

[fklhou]

Get a member of the herding group. We have bearded collies and we love them. They are smart dogs and do well with both kids and guys. My beardies have me trained to walk them every evening.

On a more serious note, my sister decided to replace my mom's dog when she died and roped me into the plan. She a bassett hound that she loved and my DW found a good pet quality bassett hound from a breeder that we gave to my mom. It worked okay but my mom was upset that we did not consult her.

You might try taking him to a dog show and see if any breeds interest him. If you can, take him to a herding trial. There is nothing more beautiful than watching a member of the herding group do what they were bred to do, i.e. move animals around.

 

[pumba]

our dalmatian died April 6th....and he swears up and down that we will not get another animal.....so each time I say...I want another animal......he gets on line and fines a cheap airline price and we go to Disney.....sooooooo...I am darned if I do and Darned if I dont'....so we went to disney in april.....labor day....we are hoping to go in december and also in march.....I want another baby though....a four legged baby...feel your hubby out ...get a doggie for sale book......

 

[Music Mole]

Our local animal shelters often recommend (especially around Christmas) that if you are thinking of giving a pet as a surprise, to actually give them a "certificate" that you make up, redeemable for your company with the recipient to go look at prospective pets. That way you eliminate the risk of making the "wrong" selection.

Both of our girls were "rescues" - it was my first time adopting older animals and I wasn't sure how I would feel and how that would work out. After all, as you experienced, someone else has helped mold and shape who they are. Our poodle came from the local Poodle rescue association - given up as a "problem child". She was 14 months old, and she had been in a foster home for a few weeks so they were able to give us insight into her temprement (needs owners who can say a firm no, wants to be the alpha dog, etc.). Her first owners had trained her to always use pads in the house, but the foster home had her nearly perfectly housebroken.

We waitlisted with the local Westie association for a companion for her, but a firend of a firend of a friend needed a good home for a 4.5 year old Westie (owners moving to facilities that didn't permit pets). She had lost *all* of her housebreaking! (We'd been told she was housebroken but it got turned round by the time it was told to us ). Anyway, she got the hang of things within a day or two, and between the two of them we've had fewer accidents than one puppy would have had. (There's a great product called Nature's Miracle that uses natural enzymes to neutralize the odor and we have found it effective).

Sorry to be so longwinded - these are our "kids" and dear to our hearts as you can tell! I just wanted to share our experiences to say that after getting these guys, I don't think I'll ever adopt a puppy again. So often the older dogs (like our Kerry, who's now 5) have a harder time finding homes.

There are ways (like rescue associations) to adopt a dog that is older, and yet still have a good sense of their temperament and nature are, and often their background as well. Then you can be assured that the dog will be a good fit for *all* of the family. Plus, the associations will take the dog back if the placement does not work out, because they want you to feel completely comfortable with you new family member.

There is a great interactive "breed selector" at Purina's website: http://www.purina.com/dogs/default.asp (click on the link on the left, just below the pictures). This lets you be very specific about qualities you are looking for, activity level, how much they shed, how frequently they have to be groomed, etc. and then produces a list of breeds whose temperament and qualities are a good match for your lifestyle. That's how we discovered, in looking for a companion for Ginger, that Westies would be a good breed for us to considre - and they were so right! At www.akc.org, there are links for the breed rescue groups across the country and they often have beautiful loving animals surrendered due to divorce or a death in the family, and they help find these (usually older) animals homes.

Good luck with your decision - you are obviously very kindhearted, and I'm sure you could find a new four-legged family member that you all can enjoy. <The Westie is now reminding me that it's time for their dinner, so I am stepping of my soapbox now>

 

[Kermit]

I'd see if you can take him to the Humane Society with you to see if he really does want one after he sees how cute they are. Or you could even go to Petsmart on one of the days they're doing adoptions, since it's a little less obvious than the Human Society. I think it's easy for a lot of people to <i>think</i> they don't want a pet until they see how cute the babies are. That's how DH talked me into getting a dog, and it's how I convinced him we needed a guinea pig and a bird.

 

[Disney Debbie]

These are all really great suggestions! I really appreciate the ideas ya'll!

 

[clutter]

I don't know that many reputable breeders or shelters would allow you to adopt under these circumstances. Or, maybe I should say that I wouldn't use a breeder or shelter that did....

Good luck. I didn't know how much I missed having a dog until I got another one (well, it took until after the housebreaking period.)