Hey Tom--how a pooch in the Spaniel line--I grew up with a Springer and a Cocker---both great dogs--and on the smaller size--also, great with kids and smart and like to swim, play, etc. We have a black Lab., but he never goes camping with us--ours kids stay home and feel more secure with the Lab close by. Our Springer Spaniel had a bud--a cat that would curl up and go to sleep between his 2 front paws.
We did have a Shelty--but a bit too skittish--hyper and barked a lot. Good Luck, Lars
04 F250,C.C., 4x4, Diesel, LgBd, XLT, SuperDuty, Camper Pkg, Off Rd Pkg.
55 Packard Caribbean
07 Arctic Fox 29 5T
Toad River B.C.
A Positive Attitude May Not Solve All Your Problems But It Will Annoy Enough People To Make It Worth The Effort.
H Albright
One option, besides box training or crating the dog all day, is to do a dog door from a room that will be occupied by the dog during the day, and the cats won't have access to. This eliminates a few problems along the way (unsupervised dog/cat interactions and k-9 countersurfing among them) and allows the dog to have more freedom than a crate allows, along with relieving any worries about stressing the dog's bladder while you're stuck in traffic.
It is a big decision, and you need to consider seriously where a dog is going to fit in your lifestyle. They do need to walk with you, even with a big yard to run in..... they need to get out and walk, with you. Different dogs of course will require different amounts of that, but you need to be ready to commit to providing daily activity for the dog, as well as training, medical care, and grooming.
The good news is, unless you have some major orthopedic problems, your family dr will be happy to hear that you're walking, and you will reap many benefits from it, if you aren't already doing that.
And the other issues can be overcome with some thought and ingenuity, if you really want a dog. Zillions of people in this country have dogs and work. Its not nearly as nice as being retired and having dogs (like me! ) but it can be done and it certainly doesn't preclude having a happy, well adjusted, well cared for dog. You just need to figure out how it all fits in the day and how you want to spend your hours outside of work.
Or find a way to retire. That's my recommendation. I thought work was just SUCH a pain...
susan
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a wabbit, Fuzzy Wuzzy had a dandelion habit! RIP little Wuz... don't go far.
There are dog doors that operate on an electronic signal from a collar. The door only opens for the one wearing that collar. It is pricey but will solve a lot of your problems. They fit either a slider or a hole cut in the door. Just make sure your yard is escape proof for the dog size you buy.
Have you ever tested how your cats react to dogs? The reason I ask is that a cat can be a lot of company to a dog who is alone during the day. Our cat virtually raised our older dog for the first three years of her life. It made for a bit of "species confusion" as kitty taught the pup to stalk bugs and sail off the furniture, etc. Most cats are by nature, very nurturing.
I would check petfinder.com for a small dog near your zip code. I would try to get a dog that had been trained to potty on puppy pads. A foster mom can give you lots of help on finding a kitty compatible doggie and make sure it is pad trained. The perfect pooch for you is out there, I promise!
Judy & Bud (Judy usually the one talking here)
2004 Pleasure-Way Excel TD
You got some really good replies. This site has some very educated dog people on it. Adult dogs. Grooming considerations. All good stuff. Crates! Ill add a little.
You know what you want in a pup so you are half way there. Dogs can go the day without taking a break. Not an issue. I would also recommend a crate. All dogs need exercise there is no getting around that but a couple of walks would be fine. Dogs in a motorhome? Not an issue either. I bet there is a full timer on this site who's dog spent it's whole life in an RV. Im jealous.
If you want to use a dog door there is a company that make a door that is unlocked via a devise on the dogs collar. So your cats couldnt open the door. BUT I have never used this so I cant give it a review. Any dog would be happy to hang out in your house while you go to work. It is very fair to the dog.
On shelters, rescues, and adoption agencies. Some of them are a great resourse for quality animals. It is not uncommon to find a healthy well socialized animal in there. Recently I have seen a lot of military personel giving up there pets at shelter due to the cost of long term boarding. Truly makes me sad. But there are top shelf dogs in there. You could research a good trainer in the area and ask them to accompany you to a shelter after you have narrowed the search. Foster the pup for a week before you adopt. If this isnt an option at the shelter go to another.
Barking. You can train the dog to bark or not to bark on command.
Example: Two dogs from same litter. Both working quality. One needed to learn how to bark more often the other would NOT stop. Same Breed, same sex, same folks, same puppy raiser, same trainer. Dogs are individuals.
You are describing what quality breeders / trainer would call a clear nerved, low drive / low energy, normal threshold pup. If you go to a pro dont let the terms throw you.
Clear nerves generally means calm and at ease. Not easily excitable.
Low drive / low energy. Not a tennis ball nut, crazy for a tug or prey crazy. Fine with a walk or two.
Normal Threshold. Can tolerate normal amount of external stimuli before triggering avoidance. (HUGE FOR TRAVELER)
Breed is irrelevant. There are Breeders that strive to produce to animal you are looking for. Good quality breeders. If have a breed that is appealing to you for other purposes, you can go that route too. It is just harder and more expensive to find an older dog from a breeder. Most would breed the older dog if it had those qualities you want to sell the pups to folks like you.
Congrats on deciding to get another pup. Good Luck!
Coachmen Class A
Totally redone including full body paint
Our first camping experience
Professional Pet Stylist www.floridadoggrooming.com
Certified BBQ Judge
With in spirit, our very own Coachmen Dalmatian Dog, Sir Petieboy
chows are laid back and dont bark unless theres some one or something around out side,there cat like in there ways,good watch dogs,medium sized,not a high energy dog,mine didnt mind cats,they do take a lot or grooming,i would choose a female over a male and get it fixed,also get one as a puppy not a adult dog.for the time being ill stick with our cats i get plenty of enjoyment from them.
1985 Class A Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 +1979 Class C Holiday Rambler Statesman 1000 = 24 ft
Judy that pic is adorable, is that your two? Too cute....
We had a small dog when I was a kid, and a couple of female strays that showed up and had several litters between them before parents managed to get them spayed. Dusty (chi/terror mix) spent a lot of time socializing the kittens.
Although he did get a little sour on the topic when one of the cats had a litter in his bed. Which is why that pic reminded me of him...
Our first dog was an only-dog for the first three years of her life. She enjoyed staying outside most of the time in the fenced yard while we were at work. Our second puppy enjoyed staying outside with her for the first few years. Then they both went through a phase where they wanted to stay inside. Then we had a phase where the first preferred to go outside and the second wanted to stay inside. And so it was.
We leave home at 6:30 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. Never had any accidents. No damage, chewing, breakage ... nothing. Although as puppies neither of them ever chewed anything that wasn't theirs to chew. Both enjoyed a morning walk before we departed. And a long walk or run in the evening. And lots of play in the yard.
The first one died a couple of years ago and the second one continues to enjoy Mon-Fri inside. He pretty much sleeps the whole time. Aside from the collection of dog fur on the bed and couch, he doesn't cause any problems.
Take your time selecting the right dog for you, spend time training when it first moves in, set the house rules, be consistent, and enjoy!
sue t.
Pictures from our manyRV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
Travelling with either the 25' fifth wheel or the 8' truck camper.
Thanks for all of the great responses. There were some very good ideas in them. I guess for the time being we will be happy with the cats only. It just wouldn't be fair to a dog right now. And besides, our little Persian thinks he's a dog anyway. He's waiting at the door when I get home and then follows me around like a puppy. He's my buddy.
Show me your Flamingo Floyd's Mom and Dad
Tom and Lerinda
2005 Fleetwood Providence 39L
FMCA F340565
Rallies: 9 (so far)
Website: Tom & Rindy's Adventures
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) but it can be done and it certainly doesn't preclude having a happy, well adjusted, well cared for dog. You just need to figure out how it all fits in the day and how you want to spend your hours outside of work.
