Do you think dogs get lonely?

[daryn]

wow i really blarg's advice on the crate issue is horrible. blarg, you're basically saying, crates are bad because they're unfair? they take up too much space? you don't like them? but then you say oh it's ok i'd rather the dog just pee on the floor, i'll clean it up. well if you don't use a crate that's probably what you'll get.

[mondo]

Katy,

If you can, the shelter or rescue group is the way to go. You can often get whatever type you are looking for, if you are patient, (who knows, you may fall in love with a completely different one).

I've had dogs for most of my life, from Belden English Setters to abandoned strays (my 3 current dogs are 7 year old Lab mix sisters, abandoned by their mother as puppies.... she had obviously been badly mistreated, and was terrified of people).... All of them have been wonderful, but there is something intangible, and bonding in the gratitude of the abandoned.....

Dogs definitely like a companion, but limit yourself to 2 dogs per available human. 3 leashes @ a time is a handful !!

My mother just adopted a Weimeraner (sp?) mix last weekend. In my immediate family, we currently have 12 dogs, all adopted strays. It is really a great experience for all involved !!!

Feel free to pm if you have ?s, comments.

Good luck....

peace, mondo

P.S. They may get bored, and you might feel "neglectful" when you're away, but that really is just a side effect of loving your dogs, and them loving you !!!!

[DLizzle]

my dog (puppy) is only active for a couple hours when he wakes up at around 5am, then mostly sleeps until my girlfriend comes home at 5pm, then is crazy again until 9 or 10pm. If I'm moving around a lot though during the day he loves following me around and playing. I would feel bad leaving him at home all day, but he'd probably be ok. They are still thrilled to see you when you do get home. As long as you give him lots of attention and exercise when you are home I think it would be fine. My parents do something similar, though they often come home for lunch during the day.

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
wow i really blarg's advice on the crate issue is horrible. blarg, you're basically saying, crates are bad because they're unfair? they take up too much space? you don't like them? but then you say oh it's ok i'd rather the dog just pee on the floor, i'll clean it up. well if you don't use a crate that's probably what you'll get.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not if you make a commitment to come home on time. If you're going to live like you have a dog, you live differently. Our family owned many, many dogs, for decades, and they very rarely peed on the floor. Then again, we wouldn't leave them for 12 hours alone. To me, dogs are family and deserve that kind of commitment. Much different than a style accessory or having a plant to water.

As to the crates taking up space, that's just something that some people might find relevant and some not. In a small apartment, it's one thing. In a huge home, it's another.