to ask for some positive dog relationships please..

[Youcanringmybell]

I would like to hear about some positive dog stories please.

I have read so much recently about how people get dogs and then get bored of them, the dog becomes aggressive because the owner cannot care for them properly or that not many people cope. I have also read about on irresponsible people buying puppies..not about all the puppies that are bought with love and only the best intentions.

I have recently got a new puppy and took a long while to consider it and was over the moon with the puppy. But since getting her I have been told by different people that her breed will turn nasty, will destroy my home and I will soon get 'bored' of her or she will try me
People are so negative about it all and are making me feel like I made a huge mistake.

So have any of you get a puppy, and keep it all their life and actually enjoy it? I had a puppy from 6mths to 17 years some time ago and he was lovely and barely any trouble once out of puppy hood.

lyra Sorry for you loss. It must be very hard. It certainly is hard saying goodbye to such dear friends. But the fact that you loved and miss your dog so much means that I am doing the right thing, so thank you.

katatonic - Another JRT owner, this is just what I need to hear. She only weighs 1100grammes at the moment and is a whirlwind. Attention span is minuscule at the moment , but she knows her name and wee-wee!

I refer you to my mn name.

I always say my boy is my first child (adopted!) I couldn't be without him. We did all his training together, I walk him every day, it's my time out to myself. He's my company when dh is away. He's such a character and a lovely, lovely dog. He comes and puts his chin on my knee and I put my hand on his head and he'll sit there for ages. He'll come and lay in which ever room I'm in. Oh I could go on.

You need to go and check out the doghouse section. Read a few of the threads on there from posters like Doinmecleaning about their dogs. Heartwarming.

Don't listen to the idiots with their negativity. What the hell do they know about having a dog?

Enjoy. It's the start of a long loving relationship.

Please ignore those who tell you the worst , each dog is different but nearly every dog will be a perfect dog if it grows up in the right environment (just like children)
A dog is such a special creature and with time it will know you and how you are feeling better than you do .
We love our dogs so very much and still mourn the darling dog we lost .
Nothing like a dog hot water bottle on a cold night :)
Good luck with your pup and ignore those who like to bring in a bit of doom and gloom .

We've had our German shepherd cross from a pup, and he's now ten years old. He's the biggest softest most beautiful dog in the world and I can't imagine life without him. I've lost count of the number of people who said shepherd were " dangerous dogs" and should be avoided. Nothing could be further from the truth, but it's all about the upbringing.

Like you we spent along time considering getting a dog. Our black lab bodie was definitely a family member. She got me through 3 pregnancy losses - she was loving and pestered for walks on days where after dd was at school is hide under the duvet. At 4 she was diagnosed with cataracts and unfortunately things went horribly wrong initially she went blind (not an issue as we found a trainer willing to help us) then she reacted to all the meds. She developed peritonitis and we sadly had to make the decision to put her to sleep.we were all heart broken I felt pregnancy loss was bad but loosing her was worse. She was DD's surrogate "sister" who soothed away her little worries and was a playmate. We are in that awful place of wanting a dog but thinking they can't be as loving and as gentle as Bodie.

Got my first ever dog in July at 8 weeks. Yes there have been accidents etc but can honestly say he is one of the greatest joys of my life. He is a shihtzu and is cheerful, funny and so entertaining. Just enjoy!

We have a beautiful mongrel with lots of JRT. She was incredibly hard work for the first few weeks as a neglected rescue pup but it was so worth it. She is slightly manic, will chew anything illicit she gets her paws on but she is an endless source of delight. The kids adore her, she gets us all out and about even on the wettest days and we wouldn't be without her. She's currently snoring on my knees

I have two dogs. One's a small breed and the other is larger. I love them to bits. They adore my children and will happily snuggle or play with them at every opportunity. Since the kids are all in school now, I go on long adventures with them in the woods....the big one is like my personal trainer and she runs with me. If I don't keep up, she nips at my heels . The little one is a bit of a grouch but has so much character and personality. The two of them are always doing ridiculous things...sometimes we almost wet ourselves laughing at their antics. They actually have quite highly developed sense of humours and seem to inherently know when a game is afoot (we like to play hide and seek with them).

I had a Jack Russell growing up. They are so clever...treat them like a big dog though, for sure. Find somewhere fabulous to go for good off-leash romps...field/stream/woods etc. and let them run like crazy. Recall can be challenging for terriers so practice it every day (and then some ).

I know some people don't like dogs on the furniture but I think it is one of life's great pleasures to have a sleepy dog curled up on your lap while you read or watch TV. Enjoy .

Ok too much LOVELINESS
I am getting all teary eyed here. ilovemydog furbaby - that is what I had in mind. An addition to our family without it being another child. A friend for us all in our times of need and someone to make us laugh and bring us together. We will love her all her life and I will stop listening to the negative things.

Our dog is nearly 14, which is old for her breed. She came at a time our family were going through hell and back and we needed something to focus on and to see good in the world again. She has really been the savior of our family's sanity.
She is incredibly cute, a little naughty (but in a cheeky/funny way not a destroys my house/bites people/causes a mess way). She is old now and lies about a lot but when anyone comes into the room ruses over wagging her tale to say hello, then lies on her back and loves a good tickle.
She is a terrier so doesn't need long walks but it is nice to get out everyday for a breath of fresh air. She is very much part of our family and loved by all. She knows her daily routine so comes and 'asks' if we are five minutes late with her dog walk/dinner, it is very funny but makes me feel like she is another person in our house. She can sense when someone is upset and when a family member had cancer she did the whole dog reaction which was incredibly touching and she felt like a big protector.
I'd say a dog is what you make it, she has always had a lot of attention, went to puppy training and is thoroughly loved and well treated. The people opposite us shut their dog away all day while they are at work and barely walk it, it is also very thin and snappy, it makes us incredibly sad and we spoke to the RSPCA helpline anonymously about it.
Our dog became a member of our family the way a baby would (OK not as intense- I sound like some crazy dog woman!) but I just can't imagine being bored of her. She is an incredible dog and sadly very old and ill now, we will be distraught when we loose her :(.

*rushes over wagging her tail - sorry I'm tired!

I had someone come to my house last night to collect something I was selling and the pup said hello. I said not to worry as she is friendly/ only a pup. The woman cuddled her but the man said "friendly now but not in a couple of months" and ^shuddered...How rude and short sighted.

I got my dog when she was 8 weeks old from a litter heading to rescue, totally unplanned we were visiting she walked up to my then 3 year old ds sat on his lap and pretty much hasn't moved since! you will never see one without the other.
She is a springer x lurcher so full of life, but went to puppy training classes, worked her way to citizenship awards and now goes to agility once a week which she loves.
2 children later their now 13 months and 6 weeks respectively she is amazing with them. I was in hospital for 5 months having ds2 and was so worried how she would react. But she sniffed the blanket, gazed at the baby and now he's crawling follows him around trying to give him toys And She is utterly devoted to my eldest ds they often appear at the back door in from the garden both covered on mud grinning wildly. She is sweet natured and gentle, even if she does have a tendency to bounce with excitement still, usually when muddy!
In short pretty much one of the best decisions I ever made.

I've had my miniature schnauzer for 11 years. He's a little toothless old man now, I sometimes think it's been a bit rubbish for him, two kids who took up most of my attention for a long time, meaning he didn't get much . He's always been so gentle and loyal though. I don't think any dog could live up to him tbh. He's my true best friend. He's getting his time now though, loads of fuss, long walks and asleep on my bed every night. I hope it makes up a bit for the exhausted baby years.

I have 3 dogs at the moment, I have had 3 dogs previously.
I love my dogs, There are some days when there is mess, or mud or they chew something, or eat something disgusting but i wouldn't be without them.
My collie does not like other dogs which makes her a bit challenging but she is wonderful in other ways, and will try anything you ask her to do (sheep herding, agility, obedience, working trials!)
My spaniel is lovely, really easy, a bit stubborn, full of energy and completely ball obsessed.
I also have a jack shit who is a naughty ball of fluff and a bit yappy but loves a cuddle...I must do more training with him!
At the moment with all the mud they need washing all the time, and it's not always nice to be walking them in the dark and rain at 6:30 am. But they are always pleased to see me after a long day.
I would be lost without a dog, I longed for a dog for 23 years and it was the first thing I got when I moved out from living with my parents!
I have been lucky enough to not be in a situation where I've needed to re-home a dog, my last dog died when he had just turned 4 and that was horrible. I deliberately chose working type dogs as I wanted them to do working type stuff! They are sometimes a challenge but I don't regret it...they are not as well trained as they could be!

Such lovely stories of loving dogs that are part of the family

I got one of mine at six months of age having already been through two other owners. She'd had zero socialisation, had terrible separation anxiety and was a howling, biting, destructive, untrainable pain in the arse that I came within minutes of sending back or asking a rescue to take her.

Now aged four (and a second rescue dog having joined us since) I cannot imagine life without her. She has taught me a very great deal, given me two all-consuming active hobbies and without her I wouldn't have gone to lots of exciting events and met so many good friends. I'd also be about 4st heavier!

Part of my job involves helping owners with puppy socialisation and it really is such an all-consuming task, I don't envy new puppy owners one bit and dread the responsibility of my next one to be honest. But it is all worth it in the end when you have that adult dog where you know each other inside out. :)

I sympathise with you .... Puppies are tough! I have a 5 month old puppy and he is wonderful. I got him at 8 weeks snd I did spend a few weeks wondering what I had done.... Chewing / nipping / weeing .... It was like having unpotty trained, just walking toddlers all over again. BUT I was amazed at how quick he learned things and already is turning into a beautiful boy.

My last dog was a JRT and he was crackers but I loved him so much even now 6 years later I can't talk about him properly without crying. He was my best friend and the one thing that was there for me no matter what. He was a rescue and a nightmare to begin with but I had him for 10 years and the day he died a part if my heart died with him...I even cried going to get my puppy 6 years after JRT death because I felt like it would betray him to love another dog !!

So many people get dogs on a whim, or because they are fashionable. They are the kind of people who give their pets away because they can't cope. You have researched it and so you will be fine.

For what it's worth, the breed I now have causes quite extreme reactions from some. And I have had kind of doom mongering stories / he will attack the children / he will be massive / your house is too small. None of it true. Train him well and love him as much as you can and he will be one of the best friends you ever have.

People always say I was brave to take on my boy, both breeds he's crossed with are supposed to be difficult. I have found him to be a joy. Brilliant around other animals & kids. Yes it has taken lots of training but I knew this would be from the moment I got him. So I put the work in & it has paid off. Dogs may 'turn' if you've used abusive methods to train them - dobermans have suffered from this, owners have feared they'll 'turn' so they show them whose boss when their young, the. The dog gets big.... & the owners wonder why their dog has turned aggressive. The breed gets a rep for turning on owners......! If a dog that has been well treated & has previously been great suddenly turns aggressive then there is usually a medical reason. Relax, enjoy your new pup, treat him fair, train him well & you'll have a great companion. My 'hard' crossbreed is a delight.

I feel so much better - I can go to bed not feeling panicky. I will be able to look the tiny ball of energy in the eyes in the morning with love and not dread.

x 1000000

The only JRT I have ever known who was a problem was that way because she had no training and she became the 'pack leader'. That was totally the owners' fault though.

My dog came from a rescue at 7 months. He'd never been in a house. He had to have a massive hip operation two days after I got him and had to learn to walk again, then be house-trained. He chewed my door frame the first time I left him alone in the house.

He's now fourteen and a half and is currently asleep with his head under my arm as a type. He's my baby boy and always will be. He's a lurcher but he is bossed around by my cats.

I have never been without a dog since being born and I will never be without one. I really don't get all the anti-dog hype, but I have to say I've never really encountered it in real life. I'm a massive animal lover and I don't really mix with people who don't feel the same. Life is too short to be friends with people who don't like animals, IMO.

And enjoy your pup, OP!

That was a bit rude of the male visitor to say that op !
Wonder if he would have said the same on meeting your child "bet they will be hard work as a teenager"

We have been very lucky with our 7 month old staffy pup , everyone says how beautiful he is (even when he is being an excitable pain in the bum )
And I do find its more the older generation ie little old ladies , who say what a fantastic breed they are and how loving they are .

I do think you need to think of some cutting replys when faced with such ignorant people in future :)