Dog advice
 

This is Jaeger:

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He's a 1.5 year old Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix. My house mate and I adopted him last year, with the intention that he was my house mate's dog (meaning, he would keep him when we parted ways). But, long story short, my house mate is an idiot. He never took great care of the dog and I picked up the slack, so naturally the dog thought of me as his owner. Now my house mate is moving to Germany, and he can't take him (again, he's an idiot), so I am keeping the dog.

I'm not at a point in my life where I feel having a dog is a great idea. But Jaeger is pretty attached to me, so I'm pretty sure agreeing to keep him was definitely the right thing to do.

But anyways, I really like my dog. I want him to be as happy and healthy as possible. But I worry that my lifestyle (playing poker for a living) is a burden in some ways.

First issue: My hours are strange and erratic. Generally I sleep something like 4 a.m. to noon. This isn't ideal for the dog in the first place, but the bigger problem is that it's inconsistent. Sometimes my hours will sort of rotate. How bad is this for a dog's mentality?

Second issue: When I'm playing, I'm basically in my bed room with the door closed. He is a very dependent dog, so he needs to be in there with me. I of course take enough time out of my day to get him his exercise and play and all that; that isn't the issue. But I just feel like sitting in a closed room for 8+ hours a day isn't great for him. I really need the door closed though, because I live with other people, and my personality is such that I don't like distraction when I'm trying to focus.

And then the third one: This occurs the least often, but it's the one I'm most sure is a problem when it does occur, and the issue I'm most hoping for feedback on. When I'm having a rough session and am noticeably distressed, or outright angry, it really bothers him. He'll move to the other end of the room and sit and sort of stare at me intently. Sometimes he'll even shake a little.

I'm not talking about full fledged wall pounding temper tantrums. Just common "aw [censored] c'mon" reactions in a days work.

What's interesting is, he (like probably any dog) will often automatically assume the sit position when he sees you with some sort of treat that he wants. Like I said, we adopted him from the pound. He's very friendly towards even strangers, so he isn't afraid of people. But this sequence of events (seeing me get annoyed and then deciding that he should move away from me and sit) leads me to wonder if his original owner would sometimes get angry and abuse him.

(Person getting angry. [censored]. Let me give person what person wants. Sit.)

So I dunno. Even if my abuse theory is wrong, I feel like him seeing me angry or stressed is not good for him. He needs to see me as a strong leader; not unstable. To him, I am annoyed for no rational reason.

Any advice as to how to react here? I don't want to be too comforting, because I don't want to reward the reaction. But at the same time, I feel guilty just ignoring him. I usually look at him and say something like "it's ok" in a soft voice, and tell him to come and then pet him.


I dunno. I'm sure this reads like a ramble. I'm probably over thinking a lot of things. But I just feel like my lifestyle is so quirky that there's a really good chance it is bad for dogs. Of course, the plus side is that my schedule is flexible. So I can take a lot of time to play with him at the park whenever the weather is nice, and stuff like that. But I really want to be as good of an owner as I can be, so I guess I'm looking for any and all advice that you guys might have. I'm also down for just talking about dogs in general, if that's the direction the thread heads in.

Re: Dog advice
 

2nd one : do you have a yard?

The third one, most important to you, really revolves around you. Maybe this will be a good way for you to get your emotions in check and be able to keep cool when insane crap happens at the poker table. Use the dog as a sort of inspiration, you gotta do it for the dog!

beautiful dog by the way [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Dog advice
 

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2nd one : do you have a yard?

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Ya. I live in a relatively urban area but I do have a small back yard. The problem is, he hates being alone. Do you think leaving him out there (and forcing him to get used to it) might be for his best long-term interest?

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Maybe this will be a good way for you to get your emotions in check and be able to keep cool when insane crap happens at the poker table. Use the dog as a sort of inspiration, you gotta do it for the dog!

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Ya, I agree. And it does. He's sort of a nice calming mechanism too. Sometimes he will even come over to me and put his paw on my lap when he sees I'm upset, and it's pretty much the most adorable thing ever.

I do use him as a motivation to keep my cool as best I can. But I still feel like some emotional venting is healthy, or if nothing else, inevitable.

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beautiful dog by the way [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

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Thanks [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Dog advice
 

Dude you must be really high cause any normal person wouldn't give half a crap about everything you just said.

Only half joking there. I've owned dogs and regardless of all that if you're a strong leader the dog respects you then there is nothing else really to worry about as long as it's fed and has a place to go to the bathroom. They aren't super fragile and can deal with a little inconsistency in their life.

Re: Dog advice
 

OP, some advice from my fiancee who works for a veterinary clinic and was formerly an animal control officer:

1. Dogs are very adaptable. Consider that most dog owners work 9 to 5 jobs and leave the dog home for most of the day. The fact that you are able to be hoome all day with the dog is a HUGE luxury for him. Don't beat yourself up, you are giving this dog a much more privileged life than most other dogs in his situation.

2. She says that Rottweilers are more "emotional" than other breeds. She thinks that this may be a part of why he seems to be more emotional when you experience swings in emotion yourself. She says just because a dog was in a pound/shelter does not necessarily make them more likely to have been abused. She says the shaking is a natural thing especially for dogs with Rott in them. On a side note, she says that if he ever gets Kennel Cough, or some related type of issue when in a Kennel, to pull him out right away as Rottweilers are more suspect to serious and/or life threatening illnesses due to the emotional aspect of them when they acquire any type of problems.

Hope this helps, feel free to PM with more questions, and I'll ask her.

Re: Dog advice
 

How could you even think of giving up a dog?
Also, it seems like he'd help you emotional game.

-d

Re: Dog advice
 

You need to get him one of THESE. End of problem:

http://www.halloweenstreet.com/images/product/1269.jpg

Re: Dog advice
 

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How could you even think of giving up a dog?

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Well it wasn't much of a decision. I never would have sent him to the pound. The only other option would have been making my former house mate keep him. But he is an idiot (and the worst kind of idiot -- one who thinks he isn't one), so I'm pretty sure the dog would have had a bad life with him. So it was basically an easy decision to keep him.

Re: Dog advice
 

Thanks for the reply, frost. Sent you a PM.

Re: Dog advice
 

lol at this post. pro online poker players is great for the dog. you can take him out whenever he needs and he gets a ton of campany and attention.

realize how much better this dog has it than a dog whose owner works a 9-5 and is alone all day.

Re: Dog advice
 

Heres some advice from a professional dog trainer.

First issue isn't a real concern. Dogs sleep way more than we do. Your hours of sleeping won't negativly affect your dog in any way.

Second issues isn't a problem either. Make sure Jaeger is getting his exercise and walks, but he should be fine in your room with you. Have some toys and things in there for him, maybe even a water dish, whatever.

With the third issue, we can control that from a behvaior stand point. Right now Jaeger has a conditioned response to your emotional outburst. You, like many people, are way to concerned with what caused the response. People always think that their rescue dog was abused in some way. The thing is, dogs don't have emotional hang ups like we do. Its not that significant to Jaeger if he was abused, although I doubt he was. Jaeger doesn't dwell on his past, and think about what happened to him like a human would. His current repsonse sounds like someone got angry with him when working on a sit stay. So, his owner gets angry, and he believes the correct response is to go sit on the other side of the room and stay. So, what we need to do is create a new conditioned reponse to you getting upset, and turn it into a positive experience. Keep some dog chews or toys on your desk with you, and when you get upset, turn around and engage Jaeger in a quick play session with a toy, or toss a dog chew or something to him. This will turn you being agitated into a positive experience for him.

Re: Dog advice
 

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I don't want to be too comforting, because I don't want to reward the reaction.

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Great post from LockForward. I also think your above idea should be corrected and dogs are so great at making things right.

I actually taught my dog the basics of poker.

Honest, we'd play heads up and he'd soon realize that when I lost I'd get (pretend) angry. That loosened him up to relax when I played online.

Re: Dog advice
 

OP-

You gotta be kidding me...

Being a pro poker player, or any other stay-at-home job for that matter, is the perfect occupation to have if you want to own a highly dependent pet. I would give anything to have a dog, but can't. Be thankful you have such a great dog and the type of lifestyle necessary for owning it.

Re: Dog advice
 

Might consider getting a second dog to give him a companion. Not sure how much he socializes with other dogs but IMO if not he needs to if he's not socializing with other dogs. Like others said dogs are adaptable. Dogs definitely pick up on your moods, energy, etc. but they move on easily as well.

Re: Dog advice
 

sounds like this dog has it pretty great. i wouldn't worry at all.

Re: Dog advice
 

Great advice Lock. I'll work on that idea.


In response to the "lol at this thread being a pro poker player is great for a dog" replies:

Sure, but what's wrong with working on its downsides to make his life better?

I shouldn't have said "I feel like there's a really good chance my lifestyle is bad for dogs." Obviously it isn't. I just meant there are some aspects of it that are bad, and I'd like to work around those as best I can. But you guys are right, I should remember that he has it pretty good.

Re: Dog advice
 

you put more thought into this dog than some people put into their kids.

Re: Dog advice
 

You could get another dog to keep your current one company. In the long run, two dogs isn't much more work than one, and you'd feel alot better about shutting yourself in your room for 8 hrs/day.

Re: Dog advice
 

The dog will adjust to your schedule why not just let him hang with you when you play he looks like a good doggie I doubt he'd bother you much and just wants to keep you company.

Re: Dog advice
 

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww. What a sweetheart!

I had very similar problems when I was watching my friend's dog for a few months. The difference being she's a small, very very sensitive dog who were pretty sure was abused by a male early in life. It took her a long time of coming over to my friends house before she wasn't scared of me when I was standing. When I was sitting she would come over and seemed ok. My guess is some dude kicked her around.

Anyway she would get so upset when I got mad at the computer. And I really don't handle myself well when I run bad. In one sense it was a good thing because having her around kept me in check somewhat. But any tiny outburst on my part would put her into super-needy anxiety mode. I felt so guilty - and annoyed at the cards - and annoyed at her for acting so needy - and guiltier still for being annoyed at her. It wasn't good.

But I think you can turn these things into a big positive. Try to get out for one or two breaks during your 8 hour sessions and go for a walk. Good for you, good for him, probably good for your game. And the more you try to control your emotions for his sake, the more you get control in general. Fake it til you make it strategy. Probably also really good for your game.

You're a good person for taking in the dog and for caring so much about his well being. He's really lucky to have someone like you.


Edit: somehow now I'm all worked up thinking about the conditions those dogs were found it at Michael Vick's compound, compared to this dog's life.

Re: Dog advice
 

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You're a good person for taking in the dog and for caring so much about his well being. He's really lucky to have someone like you.

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Aww, thanks. Now I feel all warm and mushy. Haha.

And ya, Michael Vick is a nut.

Re: Dog advice
 

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why not just let him hang with you when you play

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Oh no, I do. Sorry if that was confusing. I just meant that I feel bad for him being confined to my room for so long. But, like others have pointed out, most dogs have to deal with the same thing while their owners leave for work for the day.

When my friend still lived here and Jaeger was "his" dog, it worked pretty well, cause he was still in school. So he had time too, and he could be with him while I was busy. I guess that's why I feel bad. But he will get used to it.

Re: Dog advice
 

You must get a second dog. It's cruel to force a pack animal to lead a mostly solitary life.

Re: Dog advice
 

He hardly leads a solitary life. But a second dog is a good idea regardless.

Re: Dog advice
 

A second dog would definitely be nice. They are very social animals and love to play. Your dog would probably like the yard a lot more if he had another dog to goof around with out there, too. Then they could dog it up just like they're supposed to instead of having your dog have nothing but sit around watching you for mood swings.

Re: Dog advice
 

Ill use this thread to ask my question. When switching from Puppy Chow to Dog Chow, is there anything special that must be done?

Re: Dog advice
 

My wife is the big dog expert in the house, so I'm turning it over to her.

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I agree with others who point out that he's lucky to have someone who is home most of the time. 8 hours by himself is fine... think of dogs whose owners work outside the home. Our dogs are home alone probably 10+ hours a day, admittedly with a dog walker coming mid-day.

If his response to your being stressed is moving away, that's certainly not the worst response! Does he have a crate or some other 'safe' space he can go to (my dogs still haven't figured out that if I'm yelling at the TV, it's because of the baseball game, not them). It's great that you notice that... Really, it sounds like you are doing a LOT right! You can tell when he's stressed, and you let him know that it's not him.

BTW, it's entirely possible that he wasn't abused, but he's just a sensitive soul. Rotties (he looks part rottweiller) are quite sensitive to people, especially their 'masters'. I think he's pretty lucky... gets exercise, his 'person' is around a lot of the time, and realizes that structure is important, exercise is important.

He is in GREAT shape, BTW. Really wonderful looking dog (there are soooooo many fat dogs out there so it's wonderful to see a fit dog).

You're right not to 'comfort' him too much - the wrong thing to do IMHO would be "oh no, POOR BABY POOR DOG" b/c then he WOULD start thinking "ooh, I should cower, this IS something to get worried about" but a calm "it's OK" and calling him over seems pretty appropriate to me.

Lots of dogs live with far less attention and less devoted owners, so I think you're doing OK.

And as for your schedule... if he can adjust, that's great (one of my dogs could do that. the other gets up at 7 AM NO MATTER WHAT.).

Good luck - I think he sounds like a lucky dog, personally.

Re: Dog advice
 

Hey...off topic...but I lived in Rochester for 13 years, went to fairport hs and mcc, its cool to see someone from Rochester is on here.

anyways, beautiful dog, and good luck with him. He's lucky to have such a caring owner.

Re: Dog advice
 

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He hardly leads a solitary life. But a second dog is a good idea regardless.

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If noisy roommates bothers you, whats 2 dogs trying to get it on all the time going to do for your concentration?

Re: Dog advice
 

Getting another dog is almost always a bad idea. First off there is no guarantee they will get along with one another. My girlfriend recently moved in with me and brought along her female puggle "lucy". I already have a male Jack Russell "coltrane" and although they get along well for the most part, its a lot more work having two dogs.

Most people think that getting another dog will free them up because the dogs will play with one another and need less direction from you. This is not usually the case. Two dogs get into a whole lot more trouble than one solitary dog who is content sleeping his 8 hours a day.

If,however you must get another dog, make sure its of the opposite sex of your current dog. Same sex aggression is quite common and everything from chew toys, your affection, and kibble may become a competition for the two dogs to see who is the leader. The poster who mentioned that dogs are pack animals is correct, however most humans are not capable of leading a pack of dogs. 3 dogs that live together and form a pack without a dominant leader being the human is a recipe for disaster, here is a good article on what can happen when dogs become a "pack"

http://www.leerburg.com/rot-kill.htm

We have spent a lot of time and energy training our two dogs (at least I have) and I can honestly say that it would have been so much easier if we just had the one dog. The poster who mentioned the roommates noise bothering you brought up a great point. I bet on sports for a living and am now building a sound proof media room because the noise these two dogs make while playing or barking at squirrels or playing chase can be extremely distracting.