What do you consider when adding a new dog?

Paige

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#1
What do you think of when adding a new dog? Do you think about what you want the dog to be able to do (sports, service dog, family pet)? Do you save x amount of money? Do you consider how your current pets will get along? Do you take the rest of the people in your household into consideration?
 

Laurelin

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#2
All of the above ( except othe household since I live alone). Time, money for training, plans for training, how I am going to let the dog out for potty breaks while I'm at work, suitability to my sports and lifestyle, making sure I'm fair to my current dogs, etc.

I'm a ways away from nextdog and I'm already researching a ton. Trying to figure out the logistics of everything. I'm sure I'm over thinking things just because I have never raised a pup while I worked before. That's somewhat intimidating
 

Southpaw

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#3
Not terribly much. Adopting Happy it was about being sure I could financially do it, but since I work at a clinic its not much of a worry. I also had to know she was good with dogs/cats/kids. And overall just needed reassurance that her temperament was stable.

With a puppy...money and time is pretty much all I'd be concerned about.
 

Toller_08

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#4
I consider:

- The ages and temperaments of my other dogs (very important!)
- The people living in my home (to an extent - they have to be ok with my adding a dog, but I'm still going to go with a breed/personality that suits me)
- My financial state and whether I can afford to add another dog vet wise, feeding wise, etc. and do all that I want to do with the dog as far as activities, classes, etc. go.
- How much time I have and if it's fair to add another dog. I would not add another dog if I thought I'd be failing my current dogs.
- Future plans, which I honestly had no idea what they'd be when I bought Dance or Journey (the Dobes were not solely my decision - they were a family decision, and are likely not dogs I will take when I move out one day), but my dogs will not suffer for the sake of whatever I do in the future no matter what I end up doing in the next year, two years, five years, etc.
- Why I want another dog. Do I actually need one? Do I *really* want another dog, or do I just think I do?

And there's probably more that I'm just not thinking of at the moment. But I think my current dogs, money and time are at the top of my list of things to consider.

I don't put a ton of thought into sports and activities, because at the end of the day, I'm mainly interested in an active, fun companion that can accompany me here, there and everywhere that dogs are allowed. But I knew I wanted to do some sports at least, so sought out a dog who would have the drive/athleticism/trainability/etc. to be a sport dog and learn all kinds of things with me and hopefully be successful in at least one thing.

I tend to be a planner and a worrier, so I overthought a lot about a lot of different things before I added Journey. Probably more than I needed to haha.
 

Shai

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#6
- Why do I want this dog?
- What sort(s) of dog fits what I want? Or, if it's an individual I want, does this dog actually fulfill what I'm looking for?
- Will that dog/one of those sorts of dog fit in my current household?
- Do/Will I have the time/energy/resources to bring up and train the dog properly? Through puppy stages and, as far as I can see the future, adulthood and working career?
- Can I afford this dog/are there any outside factors precluding me from getting this dog (legal, marital, etc ;)).

That sort of thing.
 

*blackrose

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#7
I consider:

- The ages and temperaments of my other dogs (very important!)
- The people living in my home (to an extent - they have to be ok with my adding a dog, but I'm still going to go with a breed/personality that suits me)
- My financial state and whether I can afford to add another dog vet wise, feeding wise, etc. and do all that I want to do with the dog as far as activities, classes, etc. go.
- How much time I have and if it's fair to add another dog. I would not add another dog if I thought I'd be failing my current dogs.
- Future plans, which I honestly had no idea what they'd be when I bought Dance or Journey (the Dobes were not solely my decision - they were a family decision, and are likely not dogs I will take when I move out one day), but my dogs will not suffer for the sake of whatever I do in the future no matter what I end up doing in the next year, two years, five years, etc.

And there's probably more that I'm just not thinking of at the moment. But I think my current dogs, money and time are at the top of my list of things to consider.

I don't put a ton of thought into sports and activities, because at the end of the day, I'm mainly interested in an active, fun companion that can accompany me here, there and everywhere that dogs are allowed. But I knew I wanted to do some sports at least, so sought out a dog who would have the drive/athleticism/trainability/etc. to be a sport dog and learn with all kinds of things with me and hopefully be successful in at least one thing.
^ Pretty much this.
 

Laurelin

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#8
Cardinal rule is that new dog is not going to take away from what my old dogs get. Ie: no new dog to do agility classes with if doing so means old dog can't go. (Barring one being unable to go/retired)
 

HayleyMarie

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#9
When Tyler and I decided to add another dog we talked in great lengths about it. Made sure we could afford it, especially to feed it.

- Puppy is not even born yet and I have looked into and talked to trainers
-I talked to the breeder in great lengths about the temperament of Teagan, getting a puppy that will compliment Teagan is very,very important.
-Why we wanted this dog. I thought long and hard about the breed I wanted. We discussed that pros and cons.
- We even discussed how our lifestyle is going to change and what we are going to have to change in order to accommodate a large protective mastiff.
- Space, we waited until we owned our own place.
-We are getting our fenced finished as soon as the ground thaws.
 

Dizzy

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#11
How much more poo will I have to pick up?



Actually, I leave that job to the other half....

How soon can I cuddle it!!!!! Lol.
 

SaraB

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#12
I get a good discount working at a vet clinic and buy meat in huge quantities for discounts, so price generally isn't as important of a factor for me (other than initial purchase price). I look at training time. I would so much rather have 2 awesome dogs that excel in the sports they compete in than 5 dogs that do just well in their sports. Quality over quantity.

That's why it was such a big deal to add Zip Tie to our family. I knew I wouldn't have the necessary time to socialize and train him but my husband would. Hence why he's my husband's dog and not mine. Now I do get to play tutor quite often as this is the first dog my husband has ever trained, but the majority of the responsibility lies on him. I've got my hands full with the merle girls. :D
 

CaliTerp07

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#13
-How much time a new dog would take away from Lucy
-How my husband feels about it

The answer to #1 is "too much" and #2 is "not thrilled", so we are a one dog household.
 

Babyblue5290

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#14
I'm really bad about getting a new dog. i constantly worry about what could happen. What if later I don't have the money to take care of it the way I want? What if my other dog hates it? What if I hate or regret having the dog? What if I make the wrong choice on which breed to get? What if I make the wrong choice on which dog from the litter to get? Am I prepared if the dog has aggression issues?

But mostly it comes down to a few things:

- Do I have enough money for the dog, classes, and an extra $50/week for an emergency saving fund?
-Will I beable to care for this dog and my other dog(s) and give each dog the attention/training that they need?
-What do I want to do with this dog?
-Is my boyfriend OK with getting this dog, since we share responsibility? (this is almost always yes. I don't think I'd get any dog if it wasn't for him lol)
 

Katem

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#15
I look at big picture stuff first; Can I afford another? Is everyone else in the house ok with the decision? How will it affect the other animals? Do I have the time?

Based on the people I live with and the fact that Pig is so young and hasn't even started her performance/sports career, I opted out of another performance prospect.

Now that actual acquiring of newdog is possibly very close, I'm thinking of less important stuff. Where will a giant crate look/fit best? Exactly which classes do I want to take? Do I need to buy new xpens/gates or will the current ones do? Do I want to start on kibble or put him straight on raw? Should I upgrade to an even bigger water bowl? How about a larger pooper scooper? Should I finally buy a camera? And so on.
 

Locke

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#16
My main consideration is having a good bit of savings and a stable, full time job. That way, I don't worry about feeding, training, vetting, grooming the dog, and I can afford daycare or a dog walker if need be.

Then I think about the impact a dog will have on my relationships with BF, family and friends.
I know BF wants to be settled in our house and such before getting a dog, so adding a dog before that is a no-go. He also wants a dog that doesn't shed, or sheds very little, which I prefer as well, so no compromises need to be made there.
I know my family will happily dog sit, but they are not the most dog savvy, so dog would need to be an easy keeper.
I know my friends are fine with dogs, and some would welcome my dog coming over, being a third wheel, etc., so I don't worry about never seeing friends again.

Then I evaluate what I want in a dog, what I don't want in a dog, and if there are any "deal breakers" in terms of behaviours, medical conditions, etc.

Then I go find my perfect dog!
 

Oko

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#17
What do you think of when adding a new dog?
My main concern when thinking about whether or not to get a dog is 'do I have the time'. Especially because I'm getting a very demanding breed, I wanted to make sure I could commit.

Do you think about what you want the dog to be able to do?
Well, yes. I want a border collie because I want a dog I can do active things with all day long, and they suit me because of this. I definitely take into consideration what I want, what I need, and what would be a nice perk but not necessary
Do you save x amount of money?
Kind of. Right now I'm working a lot of hours part-time. I want to have a lot of money saved up so I can take a break from working when puppy comes home and devote all that extra time to the puppy, and pay for continuing expenses while not working.

Do you consider how your current pets will get along?
Wesley loves pretty much every dog ever, including border collies that totally ignore him lol. Cleo is old and grumpy, as are the cats, so they will be played LAT with and put on 'look, but don't touch' immediately, just like the small critters. So yes, I do think about that.

Do you take the rest of the people in your household into consideration?
Not really, considering it's my dog. To a certain extent, yes, but when I leave the dog will come with me, and so I'm not going to get a dog breed that everyone loves. Not everyone is a dog lover in my house, and some just tolerate. It'll definitely be an easier time with family members than my sister had with Wesley, everyone has gotten 10x better about dogs.

I'm in a bit of a different situation as I'm not adding a new dog, I'm adding my first dog. :)
 

chaospony

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#18
My biggest concern is the financial one. I am worrier and a planner. I need to be sure I can afford the freak accidents I convince myself are eminent :lol-sign:

The current dogs temperaments and quirks are of course important. There are certain personality traits that just wouldn't fly around here!

Time and space are minor. Most of the things I do with my dogs can be done with all of them.
I don't consider other housemates opinions as much as I should. My Mom looks after my dogs when needed so as long as she's okay with it, no one else does anything with my dogs so their agreement isn't needed.

I don't do any sports or take any classes so that isn't an issue.
 

Taqroy

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#20
If I were looking to add a dog my top priorities would be pack dynamics and time. We have the money and stability to add another dog but I'm not willing to throw the girls into (more) chaos and commit to puppy/training classes with another dog. I'd much rather focus on getting Mu to a competition level in agility (even if we never compete) and on getting the girls to maintain a stable dynamic.

If Matt weren't all for another dog I would never consider it though. Without his help and support I wouldn't have been able to keep both of the girls so there's no way I could just add another dog because *I* want to and leave him out of the decision making.
 

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