Stupid resident tricks: getting a dog

[RogueDadMD]

Not to derail the discussion, but I could use some dog advice also.

My wife wants to purchase a labradoodle (sp?) based on a few things (low shedding, temperament, good w/young kids, smart, like's the size, etc).  She's also told me you can't get them at shelters and they are extremely expensive, particularly to get assistance to have them trained properly.

I'm 100% ignorant of anything dog related.  I don't want a dog, but if it actually happens I wanted a shelter animal, not some crazy-expensive thing.  However I'm so reluctant about dogs in general that if we DO get want I want one that checks every box -- we already have 3 little kids, so I don't want a fourth that needs more attention than my kids.

I like cats -- but I'm allergic.  Except I've had one my entire marriage since my wife had a cat before we were married (and before I knew I was allergic).  Taken antihistamines daily for 11 years now...

[hightower]

I've raised 3 puppies with my wife in the last 12 years we've been married.  NO WAY would I do it alone and certainly not during residency.  A couple can handle the demands of a puppy just fine by splitting up the chores and coordinating their schedules when needed, but a single person would have a lot of difficulty with this.

My sister has a dog that she raised on her own and it's a little s*** head because she keeps it locked up by itself most of the time.  Too expensive to pay a dog sitter IMO.

Maybe an older shelter dog would be okay as long as it's well trained already and can be walked or brought to a dog park a few nights a week.  But, not a puppy.

[hightower]

Rogue Dad, M.D. wrote:

Not to derail the discussion, but I could use some dog advice also.

My wife wants to purchase a labradoodle (sp?) based on a few things (low shedding, temperament, good w/young kids, smart, like’s the size, etc).  She’s also told me you can’t get them at shelters and they are extremely expensive, particularly to get assistance to have them trained properly.

I’m 100% ignorant of anything dog related.  I don’t want a dog, but if it actually happens I wanted a shelter animal, not some crazy-expensive thing.  However I’m so reluctant about dogs in general that if we DO get want I want one that checks every box — we already have 3 little kids, so I don’t want a fourth that needs more attention than my kids.

I like cats — but I’m allergic.  Except I’ve had one my entire marriage since my wife had a cat before we were married (and before I knew I was allergic).  Taken antihistamines daily for 11 years now…

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Any dog breed can be just fine when raised by someone with experience, but I have seen some labradoodles that are nightmares.  Poodles are high energy dogs and can be a handful.  Mix that with a Labrador and sometimes the more chill Labrador traits are dominant, but sometimes the poodle's traits come out more prominently.

If this is your first dog, I highly would recommend adopting an older dog for sure.  Puppies can be fun, but if they are raised by people who have never raised dogs before they can be problematic.  There are important developmental milestones in a puppie's life that can make a big difference in how they behave as full grown dogs (you have to teach them not to put their teeth on humans, not to jump on people, not to bark obsessively at things, not to be aggressive towards other dogs and animals, etc, etc, etc).  And you have to teach them to do their business outside only.  And FYI, puppies are like toddlers.  They have to be watched constantly (unless you don't care about them crapping and peeing all over your house or chewing up furniture, shoes, etc).  The only difference is you can put them in a cage whenever they annoy you

I've raised 2 purebred puppies (a boxer and a doberman) and I've more recently raised a rescue dog (a younger pitbull, but not a puppy).  I can tell you that the pitbull was a piece of cake compared to the puppies.  And she's been a great dog.  She has some leash aggression problems from previous owners, but other than that, she's so easy going.  Check out your local shelters and look for dogs that are being fostered by people.  Look for one that's been raised in a home with kids and other pets.  They'll let you visit and see how the dog behaves with your kids and with you.  They'll let you go for a walk with it.  They'll probably even bring it over your house to see how it behaves in your home.  I think that's a much better way for people to get their first dog then to go with a puppy.  And it's a lot cheaper.  Often you only have to pay for an adoption fee of like maybe 75 bucks or something (basically to cover vet costs).  With a purebred puppy you'll be dropping over a grand easily right up front.

[Craigy]

Rogue Dad, M.D. wrote:

Not to derail the discussion, but I could use some dog advice also.

My wife wants to purchase a labradoodle (sp?) based on a few things (low shedding, temperament, good w/young kids, smart, like’s the size, etc).  She’s also told me you can’t get them at shelters and they are extremely expensive, particularly to get assistance to have them trained properly.

I’m 100% ignorant of anything dog related.  I don’t want a dog, but if it actually happens I wanted a shelter animal, not some crazy-expensive thing.  However I’m so reluctant about dogs in general that if we DO get want I want one that checks every box — we already have 3 little kids, so I don’t want a fourth that needs more attention than my kids.

I like cats — but I’m allergic.  Except I’ve had one my entire marriage since my wife had a cat before we were married (and before I knew I was allergic).  Taken antihistamines daily for 11 years now…

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Dog advice:

Don't get another cat.   And let your wife get whatever dog she wants after the cat is gone.  Allergies are a lot worse with cats than dogs, generally speaking.  Also IMO it's a little cruel to subject an old animal to a new puppy.

Practically speaking, don't get hung up on a shelter animal.  I don't know your wife, but if you force her to get a shelter dog that's not what she wants, she's ultimately not going to be happy with the compromise, and the next thing you know you're getting another dog.  Then you have a shelter dog plus an expensive fancy dog, which is far worse than just getting her what she wanted to begin with.  Whatever you do, let her pick the dog.

Also re shelter animals, people will say that adopting an adult pet is easier than a puppy, but these dogs are usually at the shelter for a reason, and you're taking a risk.  You bring home a dog that doesn't like your kids, good luck.  Trying to return a dog to the shelter and you're treated worse than the person who dumped the dog there in the first place.  I'm sure many of them are great pets that were left behind when grandma died, but most of them are unwanted because x, y or z.  You can usually wait and adopt a puppy as they come available (which is what we did), which reduces the risk of inheriting someone else's problem animal.

[Dr. Mom]

Rogue Dad, M.D. wrote:

Not to derail the discussion, but I could use some dog advice also.

My wife wants to purchase a labradoodle (sp?) based on a few things (low shedding, temperament, good w/young kids, smart, like’s the size, etc).  She’s also told me you can’t get them at shelters and they are extremely expensive, particularly to get assistance to have them trained properly.

I’m 100% ignorant of anything dog related.  I don’t want a dog, but if it actually happens I wanted a shelter animal, not some crazy-expensive thing.  However I’m so reluctant about dogs in general that if we DO get want I want one that checks every box — we already have 3 little kids, so I don’t want a fourth that needs more attention than my kids.

I like cats — but I’m allergic.  Except I’ve had one my entire marriage since my wife had a cat before we were married (and before I knew I was allergic).  Taken antihistamines daily for 11 years now…

Click to expand...

Highly recommend a golden retriever.  They are awesome family dogs.  If you are going the "doodle" route, would recommend golden doodle over labradoodle for reasons Hightower already said.  But even then, they are higher energy dogs than a golden retriever.  I couldn't imagine raising kids without pets.  My husband pulled one over on me by gifting me our first golden years ago on our anniversary.  I was so excited to finally get the dog that I took care of everything.  Years later he still laughs about what a great idea gifting it to me turned out to be for him!

[RogueDadMD]

Dr. Mom wrote:

If you are going the “doodle” route, would recommend golden doodle over labradoodle for reasons Hightower already said.

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Good call.

I just took some quiz on dogtime.com -- it listed my top 5 dog matches as:

Golden doodle

Canaan Dog

Scnoodle

Cockapoo

Collie

[ScientistPhysician]

Border Collies and Welsh Corgis are awesome, but the former are neurotic and the latter are hillarious but can be yappy.

[Dr. Mom]

Rogue Dad, M.D. wrote:

Dr. Mom wrote:

If you are going the “doodle” route, would recommend golden doodle over labradoodle for reasons Hightower already said. 

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Good call.

I just took some quiz on dogtime.com — it listed my top 5 dog matches as:

Golden doodle

Canaan Dog

Scnoodle

Cockapoo

Collie

Click to expand...

We have gotten animals over the years from everywhere from breeders to shelters to dogs dumped in our neighborhood.   In your case, I would recommend finding a reputable breeder and spending the money for the right personality for you.  Your wife and kids will love the dog no matter what.  The breeder can help you find the right one.  Often the dog picks you if you watch for the signs.  You'll stand a better chance of walking away if the litter doesn't have the right one than if the family is with you. Good luck!

[StarTrekDoc]

Grew up with a Shetland and now with two kids and a 1.5 year golden retriever that loves every puddle and bird that comes her way.

Key issues.
Size of pet matters first.
Energy level for daily exercise cannot be understated.
Temperament is big with kids.
Allergies is too for the family.

I am extremely cat allergic and kids allergies too. Still, chose pure golden since temperament was more important and you simply don't k ow when you mix poodle what you're getting especially if F1 generation. F2 with golden+golden poodle with known prior litters maybe better.

Make no mistake, like kids you get what you out into the relationship with your dog. They are not cats. Our golden potty trained literally in two weeks in the house. Getting past her puppy teeth took some months but bite inhibition came quite quickly. A good weekly trainer for the first few months does wonders.

All big dogs have high energy. We are on a RV trip right now and she just spent 20minutes nonstop chasing birds off leash up and down the beach.

As for kids, no better companion than our dog. Sleeps, eats, and swims with them. Comforts them and unconditional love.

[StarTrekDoc]

As for shelter dogs...wouldn't recommend as your first dog. You want to setup for success, and a shelter dog has many unknowns that I wouldn't suggest interjecting into the family of three kids

[Hatton]

I have had 3 Siberian Huskies and 3 rescues.  I was recently offered a labradoodle puppy for $2000.  You can get rescue puppies for about $225 (covering neutering, microchip, and puppy vet bills.  My last puppy adopted through a rescue was already housebroken at 12 weeks.  Most rescues have taken care of the early vet stuff and started on the housebreaking and training if you get an older puppy. I found this to be a good experience.  My other 2 rescues I found in the country.  RogueDad I think the dog idea will be good for you.  Dogs add lots of value to life. I am in the market for a dog myself.

[childay]

StarTrekDoc wrote:

you simply don’t k ow when you mix poodle

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Any other thoughts on standard poodles?

[Hatton]

One of my neighbors has a standard poodle.  She is very territorial. She is a big dog.  Lots of grooming.

[Dicast]

We had one dog in residency...so we got another to keep it company. Both were "free" and I would rather have had the money I spent on them for many other things. Now down to one and not planning to replace. Boarding dogs is ridiculous...

[Donnie]

My wife and I got a dog before we had kids. She is a great dog and as well behaved, good with children, etc. as one could ever hope for. Fast forward nine years and three kids later, and I tell everyone I know not to get a dog. When you are balancing a high stress, time intensive job and a family with three small kids, there really is no time left to spend with the dog, and you end up feeling guilty.