To all dog owners... (questions!)

[Odesseiron]

I was thinking recently of getting a puppy, and had a few questions to people that have owned a puppy/dog.

First off, I still live with my parents. I'm 27, and unfortunately NY isn't the kind of place where you can afford to move out on your own, unless you want to starve. Roomates aren't an option because all of my friends are bums, or live with someone.

Anyway, most important thing first would be to consult with my parents about. I full make all of my own decisions, but getting a dog is something that would affect everyone. I'm already aware of that. Barring that...

I live in an apartment, so I can't get an oversized dog, nor do I want a dustmop. I just want a good mutt. Maybe in the size of a retriever or collie.. something around that size. Will living in an apartment affect my dogs temperment at all? It'd have a lot of space to roam in the house, and my mom is retired, so someone would pretty much always be around. Walking it isn't a problem, I can go right outside to a trail behind our building, it can do it's business, and I don't even need to pick up after it.

Also, how much of an upkeep is a dog per month roughly? I know It's a couple hundred for it's shots/neutering it, then dog food, a crate, toys and all misc things.

I'm not too too worried about housetraining it, as it will always be taken outside, aside from when it's a puppy, and really can't control it's bladder for more than a few hours at most. I will train it when the time comes though. Around 6 months, from what I read.

If anyone can offer thoughts/opinions on their dog raising experiences and any unpleasantries, it'd be appreciated. I already am expecting the whole getting up early, going out late to walk them, and walking them in the freezing cold of winter, but I can deal with that.

Thanks for any input

[Lbelle]

Uh, you should save the money you will be spending on the dog's upkeep and move out of your parents apartment. You're 27 and it's quite embarrassing that you still live with them, even if you do live in New York. Go on craigslist or facebook and find people that do need a roommate, because you don't need to live with friends in order to move out of your parents house, that's ridiculous.

When you move out, make sure wherever you move to is pet friendly though.

[Odesseiron]

Embarassing? I don't think so. But that's just me. I'm saving money, but I have a decent amount of debt I've been paying off, then I'll be saving money in order to move out. A lot of people I still know live at home that are my age and older. I am not going to live in the ghetto just so I can say I'm living on my own.

Where I live in Westchester NY is one of the most expensive counties to live in. When it's 1300-1500 a month for a single bedroom to rent where I live, along with utilities and bills, I can't really do much other than save money. And it's quite close to my place of employment.

I don't know what is so ridiculous about it. I don't live there for free. I pay for all of my bills, and take care of myself. It's not like I ask to be looked after. If I could move out, I would. It's just not economically viable at the moment.

[Tonko]

Scene: Bar/nightclub

Guy: "Hey baby, wanna fuck?"
Girl: "Oooh yeah, let's go to your place!"
Guy: "Sure, my parents are cool with me bringing girls home."
Girl: "You live with your parents? Later loser!"

Yeah.... seriously. Move out. You don't need to be worrying about a dog if you have debt to pay off & are living with your parents. They're expensive, and it sounds like the time you would spend on the dog would be better served with you getting a second job.

Your friends aren't the only ones who are bums.

[Mizango]

lol

[sirdude]

I love the Florida college student telling the guy that it's embarrassing. I assume you either (a)pay for your entire tuition or (b)have a full scholarship or (c) you are a professor? if not, then whats the difference between living with your family in this economy or riding the wave of free money from mommy and daddy. But seriously, I would focus on finding an affordable place where you would be comfortable. If you like your current situation go to the humane society and get a dog that you think fits you best. I got my first dog from the pound and its probably one of the best things I've ever done.

[Lbelle]

Shrug, I don't think it's too far fetched to think a guy living with his parents at 27 is embarrassing. Tonko said it quite perfectly, and again, you should focus on moving out to a pet friendly apartment if you really want a dog. Roommates are easy to come by.

[Shuemue]

It's embarrassing to still live at home at 27. Save your cash and move the fuck out.

[Shuemue]

There, I said it, are you going to start in on me now?

I'll save you the trouble, I own my own home in London with no mortgage.

[Cephius]

Have any of you lived in the NY metro area and been able to afford an apartment by yourself, when you're under 30 years old? No? Shut the fuck up and leave the man alone. He's 27 not 37. In most cases you need to make close to 6 figures to be able to afford anything bigger than a studio apartment in this area. It's just not economically viable for some people. Why is this so hard to understand?

[Julian]

I believe the OP asked how much it would cost monthly to take care of a dog, not for opinions on his current living conditions, and last I checked, this wasn't the spam forums.

To OP: Sorry I don't know how much it will cost, but I wish you luck with the puppy.

[Mizango]

Once I left for College at 17 I never came back....


On Topic: I have 2 Cousins that live in NY that have places. One is 22 the other is 24 I think. Not that far of a stretch id imagine. Because you know, the rest of the continental United States is rent free with a plethora of job opportunities amirite?

*High five

[Odesseiron]

Lol, it's all good. Thank you Ceph, you seem to know the area well. I should re-name this thread to "Should I move out of home this second?" He is completely correct about the area and what you have to make about living on your own in a decent area here. I /am/ looking to move out, just needs to be affordable and in the right area. Yeesh. If I wanted to know what you thought of my living conditions I'd have asked. I appreciate the input. This is BG though, so I should've expected it

[Shuemue]

I believe the OP asked how much it would cost monthly to take care of a dog, not for opinions on his current living conditions, and last I checked, this wasn't the spam forums.

We're giving our opinion on how stupid it is to commit to supporting another life when you are unable to support yourself.

[sirdude]

there are many cultures that live together as a family unit for the greater part of their lives. the op was asking for dog advice not whether or not you thought he was cool. since you have no idea what his situation is why not shut the fuck up about and add something about canines into this thread.

[Mizango]

We're giving our opinion on how stupid it is to commit to supporting another life when you are unable to support yourself.

Exactly what I was thinking. Wasn't trying to be a dick or anything towards the guy, but I'm just sayin'.....

[Guyverarmor]

I wouldn't give 2 shits about what they say anyway , they aren't paying your bills so nuff said.

Now on to owning a dog. Depends on the dog you get actually. of course if you are lviing in an apartment, gonna want a small dog majority of the time of course cause of the living space. When me and my fiance' got our apartment, we were looking through on dogs cause we both wanted one. We finally decided on either a French Bulldog or a Pug. There are many more dogs of course but we got a frenchie based on: it's a small dog, ok with apartments, and doesn't always need to be outside I would actually go to a local pet store as well cause they can give you input on what you want. Frenchies are kinda expensive though. The upkeep on any dog is a decent amount though, with food, treats,etc. Have fun and let us know how it turns out!

[Lbelle]

I didn't think that anyone was really trying to be a dick, just stating what seems obvious...If you are trying to save your money TO move out or what have you, then why are you going to blow a ton of money on a dog?

The dog itself will most likely be atleast 100-500$. Then you need to take it to the vet, which will be more. Then you have to buy it tons of toys, food dishes, water dishes, leash, collar, maybe get that thing implanted in the dog so if it gets lost you know where it is, etc. Plus on top of that, dogs need checkups and they also get sick or hit by cars or whatever, so you have to pay MORE vet bills which can be extremely expensive. Plus it has to be neutered/spayed most of the time. More expensive shit. You have to buy a ton of dog food every month, you have to get the flea and tick medicine which is easily 100$ a month. All of the grooming shit like brushes, dog shampoo, etc. Have to get febreeze for your house if your dog ends up being smelly. Have to get the roller for the couch because all of its hair will be everywhere......

It's not a light investment.

[Milton]

i've had my dog for eight years, she is a collie/shepherd/lab and cost me $10 at a farm where she was born. i don't think we spend more than thirty or forty dollars a month on food for her and she is still very healthy so visits to the vet are highly uncommon, less than one hundred dollars a year. don't get a dog that has been separated from its mother earlier than eight weeks (this is most pet store animals) and don't wait six months to begin training it, start right away with things like teaching it that eating your furniture and using the washroom on your carpet are bad. my dog isn't very into toys, but making them yourself or purchasing them at a dollar store beats paying eight bucks at a pet shop; a young dog will tear through toys fairly quickly. the most difficult part of raising my dog was teaching her to walk (she would much rather run), and since it seems like walking will be your dog's primary form of exercise i would suggest starting early using a halti, which is a type of harness that goes on the dog's head and helps them learn to walk beside you. even if you train it well beginning early on it can still take a lot of time before your dog is well-behaved, it took around two years for me to fully train mine. all in all owning and raising a dog is a highly rewarding experience, and the amount of money that it will cost you would far from make the difference between living with your parents and owning your own place.

[sirdude]

For the OP:
Depending on the size of the dog and what brand of food you use, I would say that food alone will probably cost you between 100-150$ a month for a midsized dog (40-70 lbs).

As far as shots etc.. if you do choose to adopt a dog they usually have a fee which includes booster shots and wormer treatment.

I don't give my dogs toys persay, but i give them Nylabone which is pretty much a hard plastic bone that they can shred into small pieces that pass easily through the digestive tract. They last forever and they are very good for the animals dental health. And they are much safer than any stufffed animal, chewtoy, rawhide chew etc...

A crate for a midsized dog is probably about 50-75 dollars at walmart. im a a big advocate of crate training dogs for housebreaking. its really easy and the dogs love thier crates after a while. some say its the denning instinct? as you probably know a dog wont urinate or defecate where it sleeps. So just put them in there and slowly extend the time in the crate as they grow taking them out immediately when u let them out of the crate.