# Preliminary dog research **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780 "2012-02-23T23:46:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/61 "2012-02-24T23:59:22Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > This is making me sick to my stomach. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion. > > Your sister is obviously going to get a dog. The dog is going to be miserable. What a mess. I’m with Miss Elizabeth. This whole situation makes me sick. ☹ And the one that is going to suffer is the poor dog. Dogs are wonderful creatures, but yes, they are work. They don’t train themselves, and you don’t drop them off at an obedience school. Even with you (or your sister) taking the training classes, the dog still needs training thru the week. Training really never stops… they will see how much they can get away with and need refresher courses. Some dogs are less social, but MOST dogs live to be with their pack. That means their human family. Personally, I would \*rather \*see a dog humanely euthanized than living alone with no companionship. I think your whole attitude about this situation is way too cavalier. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/62 "2012-02-25T00:41:24Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Uh I think getting her own place is a lot more expensive! I don’t think one leads to the other Yes, it does. Quite logically. When she’s living under your parents’ roof, she is obligated to respect their wishes. When she gets her own place, she can do whatever she damn well pleases (including getting a dog and taking improper care of it). A nurse (who isn’t unemployed) should be pulling in pretty damn good cash. A responsible adult would put the money that she would otherwise spend on the dog toward a deposit on a new apartment, then worry about the dog when her cashflow recovers. A responsible adult certainly wouldn’t piss off her parents by getting a dog that her dad might be allergic to and her mom doesn’t want in the house. > [@YogSosoth](#): > > About the puppy mill thing, isn’t living in a shelter better? 😕 Puppy mills, from all the horror stories, seem like the worst place for a dog other than Michael Vick’s house. Wouldn’t it be an upgrade for the dog? Not that I’d support that, for one thing it would be a huge waste of money Most abandoned dogs don’t end up in no-kill shelters. More importantly, adopting from a puppy mill increases the demand for puppy mill dogs. If the puppy mills had no demand for dogs, then they wouldn’t be born in the first place. The absence of misery that occurs when an unwanted dog wasn’t born in the first place is a MUCH better option than perpetuating the existence of puppy mills just because the unwanted dog will be “happier” in a shelter later (for a month until they’re euthanized). \*Why \*do you keep making excuses? I really hope this is getting through to you. Just in case it’s not, I’m bringing out the bold: \*\*Your sister has no business owning a dog in her current living situation, nor with her current abysmal level of animal education. It is not better for a dog to be born in a puppy mill, be forced to live outside because it has a horrible owner, and possibly get sent to a shelter to die because the owner is horrible, self-deluded, and stupid. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/63 "2012-02-25T00:49:53Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > This is why she wants a dog? So she won’t go out so much? That’s got to be one of the lamest reasons ever for taking on the care of another living creature. Yeah I thought that was kind of a weird reason too, but she’s wanted one for a while. I think that’s probably one of the reasons, or the strongest reason, but that she still also likes dogs and wants one > [@fluiddruid](#): > > I don’t think you understand. You’re planning on helping someone get a dog who has no intention of caring for it properly. It’s completely foreseeable that this will create problems and probably will end up with a euthanasia or giving the dog up. This isn’t unforeseen problems in life, it is planning to fail. Hey now. I’m not helping her to get one. I’m just planning for one in case she does get one. And you give people too little credit. There’s every bit the chance that we’ll all fall wildly in love with the dog (not me, but them) and hang out with it a lot. At least the first year > [@fluiddruid](#): > > You’ve gotten that input, you just don’t want to hear it. The input is there is no dog that meets the requirements that you’ve set, nor whose requirements will be met by what you’re stating you and your sister will contribute. The reason that input’s not helpful is that it doesn’t help the dog in any way if in fact we get one. You’re basically saying not to get it, but not planning what to do in case we get one. I already know we probably shouldn’t have a dog, which is why I made this topic to raise issues that I might have missed. But keep this in mind: if and when we get a dog, we have to deal with it. We can’t just sit around and say “We shouldn’t have gotten the dog”. We’ll have a living, breathing animal that needs care. And I need to know the best way to deal with that. I’ve been honest with our situation in that its not the best, but it is what it is and its not changing. The parents will not suddenly become dog people and I enjoy video games too much to give that up to go for walks > [@fluiddruid](#): > > She’s not a child, she’s an adult woman. You don’t need to go behind her back (I don’t understand why you keep mentioning this) – you need to say what’s right. Not “get this kind of dog” but “I really don’t think you should get a dog” and stick by that. Don’t help rationalize the decision by assisting with choosing a pet. She is not in a position to take care of the animal. > > I’m an adult, I have adult siblings. I know telling someone something they do not want to hear is tough. Sometimes it needs to be done. Be open and honest with her, and your parents since they’re involved, that a dog can’t just be left outside all the time on its own. Don’t say “I’m kind of excited to get a dog too but maybe it’s not a good idea.” Say “hon, sorry but a dog can’t be kept outside alone all the time, that won’t work. Why don’t we work on getting you into your own place and then we can look at dogs?” or, flatly, “I’m sorry but getting a dog is a really bad decision with your current lifestyle.” And stick by that. Well, to answer your questions out of order, she’s not moving out, that’s just not going to happen. This isn’t going to end like a movie where we all end up happy and living separately. The dog will be with us, if we get one, and this is the home in which he’ll have to adapt to. And I’ve mentioned that I have tried to talk her out of it, successfully, for years, by raising the very issues that I’m posting about here. But I have a gut feeling that this time its not going to work and I want to plan for it. At the very least, I want to have some input into what kind of dog we’re getting. If I’m going to be forced to live with one, I at least want a cute one (that’s why I mentioned the Sheltie). All of the putting-my-foot-downs in the world isn’t going to help once a dog is actually purchased, so I want to be realistic here and at least gather some information for her to have And I mention the going behind her back to parents because someone suggested I try to convince my parents to not let her have a dog if she won’t be convinced by me. I’m not going to do that, it would be a mean thing for me to do to her > [@fluiddruid](#): > > What you are suggesting is cruel. Sorry, but them’s the breaks. A lifetime of social isolation and a lack of stimulation for a dog, a social animal, is neglect. Sure, you’re not setting it on fire. That doesn’t make it okay. How many families have a full time dog person at home who doesn’t work and rarely goes out? We’re a normal-ish family, but we all work. So for part of the day, the dog’s going to be alone in the yard. That’s hardly cruel, it doesn’t need constant petting for the whole day. Once we all start getting home in the late afternoon, things will pick up > [@fluiddruid](#): > > Honestly, by the tone of your apathy, I sincerely doubt you or your sister are going to spend an hour outside every day with the dog. And even if you did, it would not be enough to make up for being isolated and ignored by the rest of the family (its pack) for 23 hours a day for its whole life. Don’t mistake my apathy for hers. She’s the one who wants the dog. I would be willing to give up some gold farming time to meander around the backyard with the dog. I think I don’t really have to show much enthusiasm though since I’m not the one who wants the dog > [@fluiddruid](#): > > Understanding and taking care of an animal’s basic needs is not babying it. Honestly, dude, just think about it for a second. What the heck is this dog going to do out there all day? What does a hamster do all day in its cage, or a goldfish in its bowl? Am I a bad dog owner if there isn’t at least a human or another dog to interact with for a few hours each day? Hell, even I can’t stand that much socializing, I’d rather have less each day that the amount I get. I think your mistake is thinking that the dog is like a human. I’m sure it’ll be fine in the backyard for a few hours > [@fluiddruid](#): > > Here’s an example. A co-worker of mine got a dog in a situation like yours, where someone in the family wanted one but nobody really wanted to commit to it. The dog ended up spending all night in the kennel and all day in the yard. It went, basically, nuts and started destroying the shit out of everything – digging, tearing things up, wearing down a massive track from endlessly pacing. When they would let it in for a little attention, maybe an hour a day, it would freak out out of complete over-excitement and run like a maniac through the house, causing damage and sometimes injury (as people got knocked down or into things). End result? Dog given up for adoption. They felt really bad about it and at least did care enough to find an individual to adopt (rather than dumping it at a shelter) but the decision that caused the heartbreak of the whole situation was made when they decided to get the dog. These people liked dogs, but they were a busy family, two parents working full-time and two kids who had a ton of sports and activities lasting well into the night. They meant well. They didn’t mean to be cruel. In the end, though, they did realize that the environment was cruel to the dog and they weren’t in the position to take care of the dog. Well I can only stop it so far. If we get a dog, either we’ll turn into dog people or the dog will end up somewhere else, hopefully better. Its a sad story but not every story ends up like that. Or maybe we’ll just get another dog for the first dog to talk to > [@PapSett](#): > > Some dogs are less social, but MOST dogs live to be with their pack. That means their human family. Personally, I would \*rather \*see a dog humanely euthanized than living alone with no companionship. So if you want to help, tell me what kind of dog isn’t so social. There must, out of the hundreds of breeds out there, exist some emo dogs that would be a good fit. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/64 "2012-02-25T00:59:44Z")
We work. My dog is at home during the day. But, when my son gets home around 2:30, and I get home around 5-6, our dog is with us, playing, sleeping, watching. She then sleeps in my room so she gets “pack” time from 2:30 (5 or 6 at the latest if my son does after school stuff) until 7:30 am. When she was a pup we had a dog walker come mid-day. People who’s lives are terribly more busy don’t get dogs or don’t relegate them to the yard away from their pack all night. I get you’re trying to make this ok. But you can’t. The dog will be neglected and ignored by 3/4 of his family. A dog won’t understand why he’s on the outside and excluded. You cant explain a suboptimal situation like you could to a child. No reasoning skills! He’ll just be anxious and stressed and sad. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/65 "2012-02-25T01:05:51Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > So if you want to help, tell me what kind of dog isn’t so social. There must, out of the hundreds of breeds out there, exist some emo dogs that would be a good fit. No, there is no particular breed of dog that prefers to be mostly ignored by it’s owners. There’s your answer. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/66 "2012-02-25T01:21:28Z")
My experience with yard dogs is that basically they bark, shit, eat and distress the neighbours. The dogs get little joy from their lives, and it would seem, the people who own these dogs get little joy from them. I really don’t understand why someone would bother keeping a dog that they care so little about. Have you considered who in the family is going to clean up the dog poop in the yard? Or does the dog get to live in his own filth? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/67 "2012-02-25T01:47:47Z")
> [@brainstall](#): > > My experience with yard dogs is that basically they bark, shit, eat and distress the neighbours. The dogs get little joy from their lives, and it would seem, the people who own these dogs get little joy from them. I really don’t understand why someone would bother keeping a dog that they care so little about. > > Have you considered who in the family is going to clean up the dog poop in the yard? Or does the dog get to live in his own filth? I foresee a post about how poop’s totally natural… ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/68 "2012-02-25T02:08:49Z")
Isn’t poop like totally natural? ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/69 "2012-02-25T04:05:31Z")
Let your sister know that 4 million pets are euthanized every year in this country, mostly for the crime of needing to be fed, walked and loved. Just from today’s Craiglist: > [@](#): > > 9 year old blonde male pure breed cocker spaniel to good home. Good dog with kids and other dogs. Very loving. He really needs more attention than we can give. Having our first child in may. He is an outdoor dog but has been an inside dog. Shots are all up to date. If you keep him outside he really needs to be with other dogs to be happy. He has pretty blue and brown eyes and comes to the name of skylar. He loves to run and play and fetch. Not asking anything for him just want him to go to a good home. > [@](#): > > I have a chocolate 2 year old lab, Morgan, and a white lab that is 1 years old named Captain for sale to an owner with a fenced in backyard that will love these dogs and treat them well. I would prefer them to go together because they’ve been together this long but if they should part ways that would be OK too. I’m asking $100 for Morgan and $50 for Captain, this includes their crates as well. They are very active and loving dogs but we have started a new family and cannot have them around any longer because they are too hyper around our new baby and we do not feel comfortable letting the labs run around our baby. They both know how to sit, shake, stay on command and are very patient animals, for example when you open your back sliding door they will go straight to their crates to be fed and will stay in position until you tell them it is OK to get their food. They’re great dogs if you’re active and love to exercise, Morgan is especially a great running partner. I will include their leash and harness as well. You can E-mail me at cypbaseball03 (at) [yahoo.com](http://yahoo.com). I can e-mail you better or more photos if you request. > [@](#): > > this is a female un fixed pup between 2 and 4 months old very playfull ,loving happy pup, we took her in to foster when a friend found her abanded droped in their farms property, she loves other dogs as well, she would make a great conpanion for kids or an adult, plz if you would like to bring her into your family call me at 931-312-1804 she is free for pick up, thanks you can see a video of her at youtube , my user name is kirby1283 and the video is called bell > [@](#): > > I have a sweet House trained 3 pound yorkie mix dog. 3 years old, She is Fixed very fiendly with other pets and children of all ages. She does perfer the older kids, she likes to be brushed and dolled up in dress’s. Very sweet & good dog I can’t say enough good about her. I just cant keep due to moving. She is a inside Lap dog, lies lots of atention, anyone would love this dog.. NO FLIPPERS need apply… email me with your info and I will get back with you asap. $100.00 rehoming fee > > She is fixed! She is house trained 100% as long as you take her out to potty. Non barker, quiet dog. Lets you brush her/bath her with no problems. She would be an Awesome dog for an elderly /stay at home person. She bonds to humans very fast, she knows no stranger > [@](#): > > Free > Fixed > UTD on shots > Former stray > Energetic and young > Has always been good with kids but suddenly snapped at a small child a couple of weeks ago, which is why she must find a new home. > [@](#): > > No photos > Tomorrow only, so you’ll only get a response if you say what time you want to meet. > Neutered. > Good with kids and other dogs. > House trained. > Needs to be groomed and to gain weight. > [@](#): > > Or will go to the pound. > > 2 sweet dogs. Can go together or separate But they MUST GO NOW > > Email for info. > [@](#): > > I am needing to get rid of my pit that we have had since he was about 6 months old. He has been an inside dog up until the last year when we had a baby. Now he stays outside during the day and in the garage at night. He was house broke when he stayed in the house and pretty sure he would still be fine. Has never acted aggressive towards a human or kids just doesn’t get along with certain dogs. So he needs to be an only dog. We don’t have the time to give him the attention that he needs so even though we don’t want him to go to a new home we know that is whats best for him. You must have experience with pits to adopt him. > [@](#): > > drove from murfreesboro to lawrenceburg to get this dog, well my dog is pist. so he is yours if you want him. sweet and good dog wants love and attention. he is an outdoor dog so training will need to be done if you want to keep him inside. I have a shiba inu purebreed and he looks so much like mine I am guessing that is his mix. pic 1 is him and pic 2 is mine. > [@](#): > > I HAVE A 5MONTH OLD JACKRUSSELL PUPPY I AM WANTING TO GIVE AWAY HE IS HOUSE BROKEN,AND WILL ALSO GO OUT SIDE.HE IS VERY LOVEING PUPPY.HE WOULD BE GREAT FOR AKID. > [@](#): > > she is a beautiful boxer mix. born on christmas day. she is house trained. and great with other animals and kids. i have wormed her twice and gave her a 7 way shot from co-op. i can text pics. asking $50 > [@](#): > > I need to find a loving forever home for this sweet girl…She was kinda left at our doorstep and we really do not want another dog…Dont know much about her, She weighs around 30 pounds and very active. > Need to find her a home ASAP. > Thank you. > [@](#): > > Summer is currently at Tennessee Animal Rescue and Shelter, Inc. She has been with us for 3 to 4 months now. She is a 9 month old Lab/Boxer mix. Summer is very sweet, playful, and even tempered. She loves other dogs and kids. She will need plenty of exercise in her new home and she will weigh approx. 75-85lbs when full grown (she currently weight about 65lbs). Summer loves everybody. She is a very loving dog. She still needs work in leash training but she does alright most of the time. Summer has been spayed. She also has her rabies vaccine, basic vaccines, wormings, and flea/tick preventative. Her adoption fee is $80. Please think about adding her to your family. Thank you for reading. > [@](#): > > Franny is currently at Tennessee Animal Rescue and Shelter, Inc. She is 10 months old and has been here since she was 6 weeks old by no fault of her own. Franny is great with other dogs and kids. She is even good with cats. She is energetic and playful. She is not yet leash trained nor does she have any basic obiedience training but could easily be taight. She is very sweet and loves everybody that she meets. Franny is spayed, utd on shots (including rabies vaccine), wormed, and on flea/tick preventative. She would make a great addition to any family. Her adoption fee is $80 to cover a portion of her medical expenses. Please consider adding this sweet girl to your family. > [@](#): > > Fixed male Boston terrier, 11 months up for adoption > He is the nicest dog ever, loves children has been raised > With four! He does suffer from IBS, and has > To eat special food, the food can be purchased > From any TSC for around 6 bucks, he can’t have > Eat any of the dog food sold at walmart. > Rehoming fee 100.00 applies, please no emails > Telling me fee is to high, he is a special dog > And if you can’t pay a 100.00 rehoming fee > How can you pay a vet bill if he is sick? > Yes that is a picture of titan sleeping curled > Up with the cat! > [@](#): > > Playful, sweet 2 y.o. pit mix needs a good home. She is very smart, energetic, loyal and loving. She loves blankets, treats, chew toys, kisses and snuggles. I asked my neighbor to allow me to find her a home because they didn’t treat her well. She’s “just a dog”, and as you can see from the one pic, that’s exactly how they treated her. She was left in the crate in the bed of a truck overnight when it got into the 30’s. No food, no water, nothing soft to lay on or blanket to even TRY to keep her warm. She couldn’t even stand all the way up. They were planning on taking her to the pound the next day, so why not let her suffer overnight? (What is wrong with people?) She is good with people but really needs to be an only pet for now, as she is not always good with other animals. A fenced yard is ideal because she loves to run! I wish I could keep her, but I do not live where I can fence the yard. She is getting her rabies shot today, and I will have her spayed if I find a person who I’m certain will take good care of her. Also, because her former family were lazy pet parents, she has not been socialized, so I will also provide for training sessions. Please give this little loving girl a forever home. > [@](#): > > I have a Brindle Boxer, He is a great dog and I would hate to get rid of him. He is crate trained, listens to commands. He is completely housebroken. He is a year and a half old Born October 12, 2010. He is current with his shots but will be due for rabies shot in a month. I have had him since birth. I have given him his shots myself. He is great with kids as I have 4 children of my own and a grandchild. He is free!! I just want him to have a good home. > [@](#): > > she is a pup > loves kids very playfull energetic > shes potty trained > no papers > she weighs like 5 lbs wont get any bigger > i cant keep her she is like 6 months old > asking small rehoming fee 75 to a good loving home > [@](#): > > Four months old. Neeeds new home soon my dog doesn’t like her. Very friendly full of energy. > [@](#): > > 3 month old boxer all white,great with kids,almost potty trained..im sad to find her home but dont have time for her like she needs. This is just a sample of today’s dogs for adoption on my local Craigslist. Look at that last one - 3 month old pup. The shiny has worn off. Or the Cocker - 9 years old, but now a baby is due in may, so this elderly dog has to go. This is what happens to dogs when people don’t think pet ownership through. StG Posting with 6 dogs at my feet. ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/70 "2012-02-25T04:09:48Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > What does a hamster do all day in its cage, or a goldfish in its bowl? Am I a bad dog owner if there isn’t at least a human or another dog to interact with for a few hours each day? Hell, even I can’t stand that much socializing, I’d rather have less each day that the amount I get. I think your mistake is thinking that the dog is like a human. I’m sure it’ll be fine in the backyard for a few hours. [Just buy it a Fleshlight and a World of Warcraft subscription, huh?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=605107) ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/71 "2012-02-25T04:47:17Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Hey now. I’m not helping her to get one. I’m just planning for one in case she does get one. And you give people too little credit. There’s every bit the chance that we’ll all fall wildly in love with the dog (not me, but them) and hang out with it a lot. **At least the first year** Bolding mine. I don’t get it. You start making sense and sounding halfway reasonable, and then you make a comment like that. At least the first year? You do realize that a healthy dog will easily live 12-15 years, depending on the breed? He won’t need you just for the first year. He’ll need you and be interested in you as long as he lives. You’ll need to do the same for him. I’ve never met an outdoor dog who was well-adjusted, with the exception of farm dogs. They can spend most of their days outside and do great, but they’re around their people, or around other dogs. Something else to consider is that even people who spend a lot of time and energy on their dogs can have problems with them. Ever watch _The Dog Whisperer_? Those owners bent over backwards to make their dogs happy, and they still had issues. You’ll be starting in a hole. What kind of success can you expect? ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/72 "2012-02-25T05:01:04Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Hell, even I can’t stand that much socializing, I’d rather have less each day that the amount I get. I think your mistake is thinking that the dog is like a human. I’m sure it’ll be fine in the backyard for a few hours You are not a dog. A dog is not a human. A dog is a **pack animal** and has it’s own socialization needs. What socializing you prefer has no bearing on the evolutionary process that has led to the dog. On top of that, you say it will be fine in the backyard for a few hours, but it seems clear to me that ‘a few hours’ means all night, all day, and most of the afternoon and evening. That’s not a few hours. Why even participate in this discussion if you’re not going to absorb a single damn thing that anyone writes? > [@](#): > > So if you want to help, tell me what kind of dog isn’t so social. There must, out of the hundreds of breeds out there, exist some emo dogs that would be a good fit. No such thing. Reference that whole bit about dogs being pack animals. The various breeds differ in things like size, color, temperament and activity levels, but the common thing is that all dog breeds _are pack animals_. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/73 "2012-02-25T06:42:48Z")
NO ONE is saying that a dog has to have companionship 24/7.You are twisting our words to make those of us who are advising not to get a dog sound like loonies. I live alone, single woman and I have 5 dogs. I work 40 hours a week. BUT… when I am not home with them, they still have their pack- each other. I would not consider having a single dog so long as I am in this circumstance. My dogs all have outdoor time- the 2 big Setters spend several hours a day outside, weather permitting. But they ALL get house time, eating and sleeping inside. The ‘life’ your family is offering a dog is nothing short of neglect and bordering on abuse. You are being so flippant about it, it turns my stomach. A dog is not a toy, to be played with the first few months and then cast aside when you tire of the care. A dog is a living, breathing creature capable of giving great love…even when it is not deserved. Your excuses and ‘so what’ attitude are really beginning to wear on me. ---
**Author:** ![Ahoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/50afbb/32.png) [@Ahoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ahoy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/74 "2012-02-25T07:37:35Z")
This is one of the saddest threads I have ever read, for so many reasons, and not just regarding the lack of basic knowledge about dog care. Why are there two adults living in mom and dad’s house and ignoring their wishes in their own home? You should have places of your own by now, both of you, and your sister can get a dog then. Stop making excuses for it. There is no excuse for this behavior. Stop imposing. You’re both being very rude to your parents. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/75 "2012-02-25T11:29:28Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Hell, even I can’t stand that much socializing, I’d rather have less each day that the amount I get. But you have the option to go do other things if you don’t feel like socializing. The dog is stuck in the backyard. It just doesn’t make sense. You guys don’t seem to want to spend time with it. So why even get one? If you’re starting off saying “What kind of dog is the least social”…it just seems odd that you’d even get a dog at all. ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/76 "2012-02-25T12:48:06Z")
**YogSosoth** tell your sister that her perfect dog is waiting for her at the taxidermist. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/77 "2012-02-25T13:53:42Z")
> [@](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by\*\* YogSosoth \*\*View Post > What does a hamster do all day in its cage, or a goldfish in its bowl? Am I a bad dog owner if there isn’t at least a human or another dog to interact with for a few hours each day? Hell, even I can’t stand that much socializing, I’d rather have less each day that the amount I get. I think your mistake is thinking that the dog is like a human. I’m sure it’ll be fine in the backyard for a few hours. Hamsters and goldfish are not dogs. You might as well compare a toddler with an MIT student - similar in some ways, but very very different in ways that matter. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/78 "2012-02-25T14:04:58Z")
The original concept- choosing a dog that fits your lifestyle is actually a very good one. We didn’t get the Boarder Collie I wanted because we didn’t have the time to devote to running one for hours everyday. We didn’t get a small nervous dog because we had small children. So, yes, people do choose dogs based on their own lifestyle preferences. So you were right about starting with that idea. Does that mean your life has to cater to the dog? No. My dog does not like when we board her during our vacations. But we do board her anyway. However, we don’t vacation often at all, so we make the compromise for her happiness. The problem here is the lifestyle you’re describing is so extreme that it’s hard to imagine a dog that would be happy and thrive. And the degree of compromise on your family’s part seems minimal at best. Getting a dog is a two street- it’s for the owner’s happiness sure. But it has to be about the dog’s happiness as well. To do otherwise is selfish. I don’t hear from your descriptions any concern for the dog’s happiness or quality of life in this situation. I think is what most people are reacting viscerally to- that apparent lack of the dog’s needs in the whole question. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/79 "2012-02-25T14:10:43Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > The original concept- choosing a dog that fits your lifestyle is actually a very good one. We didn’t get the Boarder Collie I wanted because we didn’t have the time to devote to running one for hours everyday. We didn’t get a small nervous dog because we had small children. So, yes, people do choose dogs based on their own lifestyle preferences. So you were right about starting with that idea. > > Does that mean your life has to cater to the dog? No. My dog does not like when we board her during our vacations. But we do board her anyway. However, we don’t vacation often at all, so we make the compromise for her happiness. > > The problem here is the lifestyle you’re describing is so extreme that it’s hard to imagine a dog that would be happy and thrive. And the degree of compromise on your family’s part seems minimal at best. Getting a dog is a two street- it’s for the owner’s happiness sure. But it has to be about the dog’s happiness as well. To do otherwise is selfish. I don’t hear from your descriptions any concern for the dog’s happiness or quality of life in this situation. I think is what most people are reacting viscerally to- that apparent lack of the dog’s needs in the whole question. Very well said, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Sally\_Mander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780/80 "2012-02-25T16:35:21Z")
Regarding obedience school: > [@YogSosoth](#): > > Ugh, that sounds totally not fun. I actually thought it was like a school for dogs you can send. Now I have to be there? That’s too much work for me I think. Maybe she’ll think it is too I can’t even read this with a straight face. You’re 30-something years old, and you really though obedience school was something you sent your dog to alone?!? You and your sister have no business getting a dog. The only dog you and your sister are qualified to own is one that comes from Toys R Us. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preliminary-dog-research/613780.md?page=5)