Buying a dog versus adopting a dog.

At least read the first post. OP owes us a picture for sure.

 

"And, in the end. The love you take is equal to the love you make."
-Paul McCartney-

I grew up in the 60s, I did everything there was to do in the 60s, including some things--in parts of the world I'd never heard of--I didn't know the name of. We lived through it because we were told it was "for our country'...

 

My mother was a "dog person". She told us that they do not live as long as we and to consider the moment of loss before committing to "owning" one--and if you feel it is something cannot deal with do not get a dog. Just about the most pure love you will know, I know your grief...

 

You all ready for "Hank"? Here he is.

 

Thanks bud. There are some great people here.

Hank has been pretty good. I'm all in. We signed up for dog training. Took me five minutes to think its really "dog owner training". Hank is a bit reactive on leash. Our trainer taught me how to redirect his energy. Hank is a fast learner. I'm teaching him "touch" where he puts both paws on a target. In my case a tile paver stone. I show him a ball and tell him "touch". He will put his paws right in the stone!

I bought him better fitting goggles. The ones the military dogs wear. We played fetch for 30 mins today with him wearing them with the lens removed. It was a success! I'm hoping he relates goggles to good times. Like a dog acts when it sees it's leash or your running shoes.

He walked today on leash and ignored several dogs. I think his confidence is getting better. He still trust my wife better. I'm good with that.

 

I would like to get another dog, a red heeler and would like a good bloodline but I know that there are so many animals out there that have been neglected and abandoned so my next dog will be adopted. Who knows maybe it will be a red heeler that just needs a new home and another chance and someone willing to work with it.

 

This is my first post ever, but I'm a huge dog person so it's fitting. I've done both and I think what you pick depends on your needs. I currently have an Old English Bulldog(Tater) that I purchased as she was the last pup and older for a pup and was in need of a home, and my Cane Corso(Boris) was a special needs rescue. His owner died and the widow went to Italy to mourn for 6 months, left him in the house with a friend that stopped by and let him out and fed him. He had aggression issues because the people that owned him never socialized him as a pup and he was super aggressive/dominant for the widow. Drove 11 hours to get him and he's been one of if not my favorite dog I've owned. That being said, he's now 11 and when he passes I'll probably end up buying a Presa Canario from a reputable breeder. I want to purchase the next one for a couple reasons. First and foremost I want a blank slate with this type of breed. Secondly I'm going to have it guardian trained and so it's important that you have a good base. If I were merely looking for another household companion I'd absolutely adopt. Here's a couple pics

 

Where the f*ck did this dust come from that got into my eyes making them all watery- and I must have just developed a dust allergy too, nose getting all stuffed up.

Any of you peeps watch Vet Ranch on youtube?

 

My family has adopted 3 dogs since I was born. 2 greyhounds who I grew up loving and once they were gone we adopted a blind and deaf double dapple (google it) miniature doschound.
There isn't a day that goes by I don't think of the 2 grey hounds but I know we gave them a great life they otherwise would not have had. And now with the little one we're doing the same thing and she's just as wonderful as the greyhounds.

I'd adopt over buy a dog any day.

 

We used to foster and I volunteered at a local shelter/training facility, so I'm biased. One of my roommates and my grandfather both purchased extremely well trained beautiful dogs. However, I love my muts.

Lucy, the white pointer/collie mix, was very territorial toward other people (especially men with facial hair, must've been abused) but is extremely intelligent and beyond well behaved. She is completely comfortable with strangers

Shelby, the orange true mut, was almost 100 lbs before she was a year old and is 120lbs now that she's two. The adoption people cried when we took her home. She's our goof ball. Dumb as a rock nd sweet as chocolate. People adore her, she's unbelieveably friendly

Volunteering with dogs I guess I've learned how to pick em. However, I more worked with helping people with autism have a companion and helping kids on the spectrum come visit.

Lucy is now 12 and Shelby is two. I absolutely adore them both, they're my best friends

 

Grew up duck hunting, always had labs then chessies around. Always bought from hunting stock breeders. I/we have rescued dogs too, luckily no serious issues. The current rescue rules the house, funny because she's 1/3rd of the size of my chessie. But she always steps back or stays away when the chessie is around me. He'll share food and some toys, not me or anything I've thrown for him to fetch. Right now, he's asleep at my feet and she's on the couch

I could care less if you purchase or rescue/adopt a pet. But when asked, if you want/need just a companion I always recommend just go to the shelter. I'm surprised how many older dogs they have that have been house broken and some training. I'm leary of folks who get these exotic dogs/cats and the first thing they say is how much they paid for it. It's a pet not a status symbol

 

There are no mutt's, only mixed breed.

 

I have a goldendoodle. Love her to death. I did buy her, although I debated a rescue for a long time.

Everyone; meet, Wrangler.

When I first got her:



And now, a little more grown up.

 

It's funny how times and labels change. The first 3 dogs in my life, people gave to me or my family. The next 2 dogs in my life, I adopted. The last 3, I rescued.

I wonder what it will be referred to next.

I don't have anything against buying a dog from a breeder, I've just found what I was looking for without going that route. Going back 50 years, I remember each dog with fond and pleasant memories. Dogs are like people, they're all good until they've been taught otherwise.

 

This guy was about 1.5 years old when I adopted him from the pound back in 2014. Supposedly a Keeshond/German Shepherd mix and is 40lbs soaking wet. Most gentle, loving, and intelligent four-legged friend I've had the pleasure of sharing life with. I had been wanting to adopt and went to the pound one day to get briefed on the adoption process, without really planning on bringing one of the inmates home with me that day. With that being said, Scout was riding shotgun in my truck that afternoon. All the other dogs at the pound were barking up a storm and wild as can be. Scout calmly sat there as I walked by but some sixth sense told me to go back. He gently put his paw on the cage as I kneeled down next to him and it was all downhill from there - I couldn't leave without the little guy.




He took a while to acclimate to having a new pack leader. I will be the first to say that when adopting a dog you must have lots of patience/time to give to them to really maximize their potential. He peed/pooped in the house for the first few weeks (thank God for vinyl flooring) , challenged my pack leader status occasionally, and could pull a house down when walking on a leash. After months of reading up on training techniques online and reminding myself that Rome wasn't built in a day, Scout has grown confident in himself and has become the most well-behaved, loving pup I could have ever asked for. He is extremely protective of my family. Doesn't bark/whine/growl except for when the doorbell rings or the UPS guy drives by. He was heartworm positive when he arrived at the pound but went through the treatment and was given a clean bill of health shortly before I adopted him. Since then, he has been on monthly heartworm pills but somehow contracted it again - went through the treatment, yet he is still showing positive for lingering heartworm antibodies/enzymes. Both the vet and the manufacturer of the heartworm shot are mystified as to how he is still testing positive, but after the third round of treatment, he is due for a checkup later this month. As they say, a dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

 

My adopted Pit. Was wired at first but just didn't have anybody to teach him right from wrong. Doing a lot better now.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWySyPUgE1O/"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXlNVj6AG3C/"

 

Training going very well. He really pays attention. He is leaning " target" tricks really well. It is fixing his issue with self control. He barely reacts to other dogs now.

Here are his new goggles to protect his light eyes and pink eyelids from the sun. Took some patience to teach him to accept them. We did a four hour hike this morning.

 

If u can adopt / rescue you're doing something good I believe. It is a crap shoot though. We rescued her at 10 months. 99% great. 1%. She can go nuts at other dogs or bite we're always working with her
She's a good dog

 

Jambo '16 Gilmer TX , rescued Belle 3 years ago at 8 weeks, due to be put down the next day. My camping bitch...

 

We've done all of the above.

Jasper (the big guy) was listed on Craigslist. I think the previous owners bought him because he was a cute husky puppy. But they didn't realize bored husky can cause MAJOR problems tearing things up and digging. We got him home did some work with him, kept him occupied and he is an absolutely wonderful dog with more personality than I have ever seen in a dog. Half the time I look at him and think of him as more of a person than a dog. He is definately "my" dog.

Riley (on the left) is a pure breed "designer dog." He is an Alaskan Klee Kai. In the picture he is full grown (over 6 years older than Jasper the Siberian Husky) Riley cost his previous owners $2300, but we got him as a rescue (free). He was reposessed by the breeder due to neglect, and the fact he kept running away. The breeder knew us from when we bought Cloe (right in pic). Riley was by far... my best (dog) buddy EVER. He passed last year on Xmas eve... and I still get emotional when I think about him. He will never be replaced.

Cloe (right in pic) is also an Alaskan Klee Kia. She is about 5 years older than Jasper. We paid $1700 for her. She was worth every penny... especially when you consider she is how we were able to find Riley. She is a bossy little bitch, but that's just her personality. She has been a great dog. We've had her about 12 years... and she's still going strong.

The German Shepherd in my profile pic is our newest member of our family. Bailey... we found her on Craigslist as well. She is one awesome dog. Sometimes I think she's smarter than my youngest son (Senior in High School). She is definately "mamas" dog.