snuffysmum Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 How do people handle the problem of dogs bringing in dirt from the yard? Do you wipe their feet clean before they step inside or is there doggy footprints all over the carpets?I keep a towel by the back door and train the dog to learn to have their feet wiped by me before they race inside. Soon they learn to stop on the towel for their foot treatment!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snuffysmum Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Yes, even during winter, kids still play sports, people go for walks,visit the beach, gardening gets done, horses cared for, life goes on. Crisovar I notice that you live in Queensland where the weather is probably reasonable even in winter. Here in Melbourne you can go for two weeks without even seeing the sun, just day after day of cold, damp, drizzly weather, quite often it's foggy and doesn't clear until the afternoon and then it's dark by 5.30pm. I go out walking the dogs even when it's raining and most people think I'm crazy. Sometimes I think the majority of the population in Melbourne hibernate during winter :p I'm with you. I walk the dogs in the rain, sleet oh the lovely pleasures of Melbourne winter! My dogs don't care, they wag their tails and stand by their leads ready to go! And the kids are outside no matter what, kicking the footy in the dark at 5.30pm in the middle of winter while the dogs run madly between them. I must have kids from the 1970's because they sure do not hibernate in the winter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I have indoor rabbits only and don't think rabbits are suitable for outside. You must be kidding? Next you'll suggest i keep a horse in my bedroom! No. Rabbits are usually kept in barren hutches by themselves with no interaction other than to have a kid pick them up every now and then. This fulfills none of their needs. They are not stupid and do not spend their lives sitting there without moving, as most people think. They are naturally curious and like to interact with you once they trust you, however they rarely get the chance. They NATURALLY live in large warrens with constant interaction and activity - you cannot provide this outside in a hutch. Being a prey animal, they have subtle body language and communication - things that cannot be picked up outside and with minimal interaction. They hide their illnesses - learning what is natural and normal in their behaviour requires them to be near you for more than 10 minutes a day. They do not naturally trust humans like dogs do, not having been bred or wired this way - so they take a long time to trust you. However most people don't give them a chance and just pick them up, pat them, put them down, and that's all they get. They also require hours of exercise that they rarely get. They are fairly intelligent and responsive if given the chance. are you kidding? with that comment i assume you would suggest that my rabbit isnt happy and isnt kept well and i know nothing about rabbits even though he lives outside? he lives in a 3x4m pen with a roof and an insulated house inside the pen. the pen is always lines in thick straw. we play every day and he has hours of run around time and play time each day... but he doesnt live inside! rabbits do brilliantly in the cold - its the heat they have trouble with. true rabbits need love and attention - every single animal does! dog, rabbit, cat, rat, snake... whatever. rabbits may live in large warrens in the wild, but they are outside. to the OP... if i were you i wouldnt get a rabbit either... although rabbits dont leave mud on the carpet, they, like all animals require a LOT of love, time, patience and attention. dogs do too... i just dont see why u would want a dog when he/she cant be with its pack/family. i understand that u want ur kids to grow up with dogs, but maybe start slow? maybe find a family member/fiend with a dog and take ur kids over a few times a week to play with the dogs... that way they can have the animal interaction without having to have a dog stuck outside in your yard... Nope not kidding :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Came home today to find my neighbour's large dog in my house. This is a young, working breed who is kept outside 24/7. She is never walked and although the kids do spend some time in the yard, this is usually on sunny weekend days. She's obviously been missing for a few hours, judging by the state of my house but noone notices simply because she's in the backyard. Husband does go outside for a smoke and sits with her but if she has a chance, she gets into my house and they can stand outside and call her and she won't budge. I don't encourage her or reward her for this behaviour and drag her back home when I find her. In fact for me , it is a real nuisance, but I do grieve for her situation, that she is so miserable she would rather sit in a strangers house with my little dogs than her own backyard .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) I have to say irrespective of what breed your dislikes for smell,hair,dirt is everything a dog is. If these things are such factor for you then i do wonder why you want a dog & how much time your kids will spend with it getting dirty. One thing though,leaving there shoes outside after playing wont be happening. So you need to decide how much you want to alter your life for a dog. If you phoned us saying your concerns about the above we wouldnt sell you because dogs arent sterile creatures,there family members that do dog things. We have showdogs & ours are family members who use the doggy door 24/7.three large dogs sleep on my bed & it doesnt stink. We board alot of staffies & they come in with there PJ,doonas,snuggle blankets. They greet you every morning with great gusto & zest. 99% are angels.The ones from homes where obviously "life is about amusing themselves" has resulted in them eating through the fence,destroying anything not latched down.True nightmares that get no attention because they where never brought up to understand. So just consider what ever breed you get that the decking could make a nice meal & a Staffie on a mission would be a great "Bob the builder". If you end up with a renovator what would be your plan Edited July 9, 2009 by settrlvr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDaz Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 It's a personal choice and should be respected accordingly. Why? And what about the choice the dog would make? For the same reason i couldn't convince you to buy a red car if you wanted a blue car. I will reiterate one last time... we have not made ANY decisions thus far, so you can all rest easy tonight! The sad thing is you probably do consider a dog much the way you would consider a car, you seem to be missing the whole point of what people are saying. DO NOT get a Staffy. If you want an outside dog, please don’t subject a Staffy to your world, it would be cruel. Even if you choose another breed, also reconsider at what age you subject the poor thing to the cold and heat. Actually, having just re-read this I think subjecting any dog to your world would be cruel. I am not trying or meaning to be offensive, but you seem to consider a living animal as something to buy and own, like a car, that’s not the way to think about an animal. Staffy' are inside dogs who feel the cold extremely badly and it is their breeding to be inside an part of the family, if you do insist on getting a dog, don’t get a Staffy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiara Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I have indoor rabbits only and don't think rabbits are suitable for outside. You must be kidding? Next you'll suggest i keep a horse in my bedroom! No. Rabbits are usually kept in barren hutches by themselves with no interaction other than to have a kid pick them up every now and then. This fulfills none of their needs. They are not stupid and do not spend their lives sitting there without moving, as most people think. They are naturally curious and like to interact with you once they trust you, however they rarely get the chance. They NATURALLY live in large warrens with constant interaction and activity - you cannot provide this outside in a hutch. Being a prey animal, they have subtle body language and communication - things that cannot be picked up outside and with minimal interaction. They hide their illnesses - learning what is natural and normal in their behaviour requires them to be near you for more than 10 minutes a day. They do not naturally trust humans like dogs do, not having been bred or wired this way - so they take a long time to trust you. However most people don't give them a chance and just pick them up, pat them, put them down, and that's all they get. They also require hours of exercise that they rarely get. They are fairly intelligent and responsive if given the chance. are you kidding? with that comment i assume you would suggest that my rabbit isnt happy and isnt kept well and i know nothing about rabbits even though he lives outside? he lives in a 3x4m pen with a roof and an insulated house inside the pen. the pen is always lines in thick straw. we play every day and he has hours of run around time and play time each day... but he doesnt live inside! rabbits do brilliantly in the cold - its the heat they have trouble with. true rabbits need love and attention - every single animal does! dog, rabbit, cat, rat, snake... whatever. rabbits may live in large warrens in the wild, but they are outside. to the OP... if i were you i wouldnt get a rabbit either... although rabbits dont leave mud on the carpet, they, like all animals require a LOT of love, time, patience and attention. dogs do too... i just dont see why u would want a dog when he/she cant be with its pack/family. i understand that u want ur kids to grow up with dogs, but maybe start slow? maybe find a family member/fiend with a dog and take ur kids over a few times a week to play with the dogs... that way they can have the animal interaction without having to have a dog stuck outside in your yard... Nope not kidding I've had a house rabbit, and let me tell you, they are bloody smart, and also trainable. they can use a little tray, do tricks and are really affectionate. just thought i'd add Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sluggo Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 How old are your children? Young Whippets run and play with great speed and vigour. They can knock very young kids flying. I'm not saying that a Whippet wouldn't work out but there'd probably be a few teething issues.How do your kids feel about dogs - do they know many? The kids are 5, 3 and 1yo. The closest dog they have is my brother's naughty boxer which would probably frighten any child. They do however get on famously with other well behaved dogs in our neighbourhood. I have no doubt they will form a close bond with whatever pup we choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sluggo Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) The sad thing is you probably do consider a dog much the way you would consider a car, you seem to be missing the whole point of what people are saying.DO NOT get a Staffy. If you want an outside dog, please don’t subject a Staffy to your world, it would be cruel. Even if you choose another breed, also reconsider at what age you subject the poor thing to the cold and heat. Actually, having just re-read this I think subjecting any dog to your world would be cruel. I am not trying or meaning to be offensive, but you seem to consider a living animal as something to buy and own, like a car, that’s not the way to think about an animal. Staffy' are inside dogs who feel the cold extremely badly and it is their breeding to be inside an part of the family, if you do insist on getting a dog, don’t get a Staffy. What do you know of 'my world'? Nothing Edited July 10, 2009 by Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyliegirl Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) What do you know of 'my world'? Nothing, so keep your narrow minded, ignorant comments to yourself! enough to know that you should not get a staffy.. Edited July 9, 2009 by kyliegirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 My dogs are outside dogs. We got a GSD pup a few weeks ago and yes he sleeps inside in his crate - because it is freezing outside. Once the weather is warmer and he is bigger he will then go to being an outside dog. Having said that - they will occassionally come inside but basically we go out to them. I prefer to be outside with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 What do you know of 'my world'? Nothing, so keep your narrow minded, ignorant comments to yourself! we know enough to know that you should not get a staffy.. Off topic: please do NOT use the term "we" and speak on behalf of the whole forum. Please speak for yourself only :shakehead: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyliegirl Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 What do you know of 'my world'? Nothing, so keep your narrow minded, ignorant comments to yourself! enough to know that you should not get a staffy.. Off topic: please do NOT use the term "we" and speak on behalf of the whole forum. Please speak for yourself only :shakehead: is that better mr sensistive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 How old are your children? Young Whippets run and play with great speed and vigour. They can knock very young kids flying. I'm not saying that a Whippet wouldn't work out but there'd probably be a few teething issues.How do your kids feel about dogs - do they know many? The kids are 5, 3 and 1yo. The closest dog they have is my brother's naughty boxer which would probably frighten any child. They do however get on famously with other well behaved dogs in our neighbourhood. I have no doubt they will form a close bond with whatever pup we choose. Good. Starting with kids who don't shriek in fear at the sight of a dog or puppy is a definite bonus. I think provided you can tolerate the odd accident that's an almost inevitable part of early toilet training and adopting a crate as your pup/dog's resting place inside, you may be pleasantly surprised how little dirt dogs track in. Personally I don't see an issue with limiting the dog's access to the house to a limited area or even to outside when you aren't home provided you can provide a warm place for it to sleep. Staffords and Whippets are both close coated dogs. Personally I think a Stafford might make a more robust family pet but PPS has both breeds and a young child so she'd be worth asking about that. The important thing with any dog is that it will grow into a reflection of the time and effort you put into raising (a lot like kids really). A dog that's not socialised well, not given basic manners like being taught not to pull on the lead, jump up or mouth, or that's desperate for attention is a dog that gets locked up when visitors come because it has no self control. Your observation that your kids handle well behaved ones is a good one - most people, regardless of age enjoy the company of well behaved dogs. Such dogs are more welcome in almost any place. I hope you aren't too deterred by the responses to your questions. Whoever said DOLers were passionate about dogs was dead on. Most DOLers see the questions through the perspective of what's best for the dog, not the owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I've only had the experience of two Whippets and children but they do make an awesome family pet. I've not had any issue with bite inhibition with the Whippets and as crazy as they are doing their zoomies and the like, they are very careful around my child. The Whippets have another tick in the box when it comes to indoors, as they do like to curl up and sleep a lot, where as the SBT pups are more full on. I highly recommend the Whippet when it comes to a family pet, providing they are sleeping indoors and again have access to the family when the family is home. My Whippet happily spends her time outside during the day, she will knock on the door when she gets cold and wants to come back in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I highly recommend the Whippet when it comes to a family pet, providing they are sleeping indoors and again have access to the family when the family is home. My Whippet happily spends her time outside during the day, she will knock on the door when she gets cold and wants to come back in. I think they are much under rated as family pets. The upside to that is they are not indiscriminately bred to anywhere near the extent of more popular breeds. If you decide in favour of a Whippet Sluggo and can leap the hurdle of allowing it inside, you'll get a great pet with some effort from all the family. There are a couple of new Whippet owners with kids over in the Whippet thread and their pups are settling in well. :D They do shed. Having recently added a Whippet to my tribe of poodles, I really notice the hair. Make sure you and your daughter spend time in the company of some Whippets to test your allergic reaction. A visit to a responsible registered breeder or a dog show could do that for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sluggo Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 Gosh Sluggo, you do have a rather nasty side. Maybe you shouldn't be thinking of getting a pet, if that is your reaction to someone's comments, what will you do when the pup has an accident inside, or eats one of your plants, or whatever you leave laying around outside? I have owned dogs before, so i'm well aware and prepared for any accidents. Try sitting on my side of the fence and reading post after post from people belittling and ridiculing you...i'm sure you'd react in the same way. I could easily ring the first BYB in the trading post, buy a SBT and throw him in the backyard. Instead, i'm gathering books, reading articles, asking plenty of questions, and most importantly discussing with the family. Surely this counts for something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aziah Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Good. Starting with kids who don't shriek in fear at the sight of a dog or puppy is a definite bonus. I think provided you can tolerate the odd accident that's an almost inevitable part of early toilet training and adopting a crate as your pup/dog's resting place inside, you may be pleasantly surprised how little dirt dogs track in. Personally I don't see an issue with limiting the dog's access to the house to a limited area or even to outside when you aren't home provided you can provide a warm place for it to sleep. Staffords and Whippets are both close coated dogs. Personally I think a Stafford might make a more robust family pet but PPS has both breeds and a young child so she'd be worth asking about that. The important thing with any dog is that it will grow into a reflection of the time and effort you put into raising (a lot like kids really). A dog that's not socialised well, not given basic manners like being taught not to pull on the lead, jump up or mouth, or that's desperate for attention is a dog that gets locked up when visitors come because it has no self control. Your observation that your kids handle well behaved ones is a good one - most people, regardless of age enjoy the company of well behaved dogs. Such dogs are more welcome in almost any place. I hope you aren't too deterred by the responses to your questions. Whoever said DOLers were passionate about dogs was dead on. Most DOLers see the questions through the perspective of what's best for the dog, not the owner. I've only had the experience of two Whippets and children but they do make an awesome family pet. I've not had any issue with bite inhibition with the Whippets and as crazy as they are doing their zoomies and the like, they are very careful around my child.The Whippets have another tick in the box when it comes to indoors, as they do like to curl up and sleep a lot, where as the SBT pups are more full on. I highly recommend the Whippet when it comes to a family pet, providing they are sleeping indoors and again have access to the family when the family is home. My Whippet happily spends her time outside during the day, she will knock on the door when she gets cold and wants to come back in. Sluggo, I thought the above two responses were very good and hopefully helpful to you :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 It makes no difference if it's an ethical breeders SBT or a BYB SBT, it comes down to the same thing, they are not suited to the life outside you have intended for the puppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I could easily ring the first BYB in the trading post, buy a SBT and throw him in the backyard. Instead, i'm gathering books, reading articles, asking plenty of questions, and most importantly discussing with the family. Surely this counts for something? It does for me. :D It will count for you to if you get the right pup of the right breed, whelped and raised carefully by the right breeder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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