To all dog owners... (questions!)

[Mizango]

Unfortunately this is entirely true. most akc/ckc registered dogs are inbred and come from severely limited gene pools which sets them up for a myriad of health problems. once worked with a champion AKC german shepard show dog who was 3 years old and couldn't get in the bed of a truck because of severe hip displacia.

And for the fun heres a pic of my dog she is 10 months old

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...23/sophie2.jpg

Pretty dog. I love Sheps.

[Shalyn]

^ Agreed (love sheps too)
(Off topic discussion) I go to school in the same city as my parents so there would be no reason to move out. To put rent on top of tuition, travel, and books would put me into more debt, and I'd rather concentrate on getting good marks than how I'm not going to get any sleep again because I'm working two jobs and in class full time to finish quicker. I don't think there is anything wrong with still living with your parents while you're still at school.

On to the topic. might I suggest a Humane Society or ASPCA? They usually take care of shots and fixing as soon as the animal enters and you wouldn't have to deal with training in a small apartment, which would be stinky in many senses (hah) of the word. I got my kitty at the Toronto HS and she had all her shots and was fixed and costed a mere $24. Older pets need lovin' too, and another good part is that they usually have personality profiles of what they like and what makes them tick.

As far as upkeep and products, I agree with an earlier poster to get the good food. Other foods will cost you more in the end because they generally tend to make your pet sick or don't help prevent it,and since they don't have a good amount of vitamins, your pet will eat more of the bad food than they'll need of the good. Flea medication is another thing. Don't buy too many toys, they don't need it. A rope, a kong, and maybe a bone is good enough. It's fun to put peanut butter in the kong and watch it keep them busy for a while. A dog bed is needed as well, and a brush, collar, and a muzzle depending on the kind you get. Treats for dental health and training are a good idea too.

I would suggest a short-haired dog since you live in an apartment, something soft so that the fur comes off furniture and clothing easily. Our medium-sized dog has fucking porcupine-hard hair and it gets stuck in everything and just won't come out. Hate it. A poodle might be nice, or something who's hair you can easily trim/get trimmed. The dogs on those sites look super cute! Good luck

[Nighty]

You have take into account the cost of the dog (that depends on what kind of dog you want), food, the trips to the Vet., and all the other misc. stuff (toys etc) That is my opinion and experience from having a dog.

I live in NYC and I am in college (junior) and working (21yr) I can move the hell out (i want too and can) but school is a lot of money. So living with my pops is helping with my pocket. Average APT. in Queens/Brooklyn is 900-1300 (if you want to live in the ghetto its lower) just move out before the getting a dog well good luck to you then

[Norelco]

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.

this

[Izzy]

I moved to NYC with 1k in the bank and no job or apartment. The first thing I did was get a job. It took like a week. Moving out is not that hard.

[Maguspk]

I moved to NYC with 1k in the bank and no job or apartment. The first thing I did was get a job. It took like a week. Moving out is not that hard.

Because if one person did it everyone can, right?

[Izzy]

Because if one person did it everyone can, right?

I don't see why not. How hard is it to apply for a bunch of jobs, present yourself well at an interview and score a job?

All that bullshit about it being so hard to get a job is just a lazy man's excuse to be lazy.

[Neosutra]

I don't see why not. How hard is it to apply for a bunch of jobs, present yourself well at an interview and score a job?

All that bullshit about it being so hard to get a job is just a lazy man's excuse to be lazy.

No I think the point is "If izzy can do it, everyone can".



But seriously, get the fuck out of your parents house.

[Octavious]

Pending any arguement over the level of education the subject has gone through, it really shouldn't be too terribly difficult to find some sort of job if you try hard enough.

[Izzy]

Pending any arguement over the level of education the subject has gone through, it really shouldn't be too terribly difficult to find some sort of job if you try hard enough.

You said it better than I did. It might not be the job you WANT but it's a job.

[Xno Kappa]

Focus on getting out of your parents house first like others have said.
And to those saying it's okay because he lives in NYC, bullshit, I got the fuck out of my parents house in NYC when I was 16. I joined the army and now I own a house in Germany and one in Virginia at the age of 25. Not really advocating the army, just merely stating there's always a way to move out.

[Oxyminus]

I live in NYC, work fulltime, go to school fulltime, and have been living on my own for 2+ years now (i'm currently 24 years of age). you NEED to get out of your folks place.

coincidently, my roommate and i are planning on getting a puppy come september when we see how my class/work schedule will work with her work schedule.

[Shalyn]

Honestly don't see how it affects anyone else that he lives at home. It seems to me to be a more eco-friendly thing to do in that you're not taking up more space than you need. It's like having a family van to drive two people. That isn't to say that *I* won't be moving out in January, but then my prerogative is to travel and explore, which isn't for everybody. For a group of people who regularly go against the traditional modes of communication/friend-making via technology/video games, there sure are a lot who insist that the 'traditional' gtfo @ 18ish is the only way to live. Cmon now.

[killerx]

Microchipping is roughly around $100. Some adoption agencies also do this and include it in the fee.

spca chiped my dog for like $20-$30

[MisterBob]

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.

Quit your crying, where I live it's just as expensive (if not moreso) to live on my own, and I do it just fine.

[Fluid]

This thread needs more shepard pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...master/max.jpg

I adopted this guy fairly recently, found him on petfinder.com and actually rescued him about 2 days before he was due to be put down. As cute as a puppy sounds, they are VERY high-maintenence and it makes way more sense to rescue a dog that really needs a home than keep the market for puppies so high.

Even though a lot of rescued dogs come from pretty rough situations, it doesn't mean they're damaged goods. In most cases, once you put a dog in a new environment and treat it properly it will adjust very quickly. The one pictured here was hooked up to a tow chain and about 20lb underweight when he was rescued, but as you can see in the picture he's a pretty fucking happy dude. The ability of dogs to hit the "reset button" is really amazing.

Plus, dogs aren't puppies forever - but every time I've told my dog's rescue story to a girl I've gained about 20 points, and that'll never go away.

[Odesseiron]

Quit your crying, where I live it's just as expensive (if not moreso) to live on my own, and I do it just fine.

Uh.. I don't think that's crying. I was simply making a statement about my current situation. I haven't complained about anything. If I were crying, I would be saying how it isn't fair that I can't get a dog while living at home, how it's not fair that rent is so expensive where I live, etc. But I am not.

Forgive me about wanting the opinion/researching something I was key word *interested* in. If I wanted your input about something else, I would have asked.

[Dohorehn]

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.

right on, man. as long as you have it in your mind that you're gonna move out. don't stress haters. the economy is rough right now and it's slightly harder to move out on your own in some places. I'm 23... I live with my parents. Big deal. I'm moving out eventually. Working my ass off too. Don't stress haters.

Oh and roomates can be worse than parents, btw. Much, much worse. The point is... it's hard to move out on your OWN. I have yet to see a solution that doesn't involve room mates. My goal is to not even see another person living in my space until I decided to get married.

Oh, yeah. And forget the dog for the moment. Wait til you're a happily housed bachelor, then get your doggy companion. That's the natural progression of things. Then you your dog can help you get girls, lol.

[Zigma]

Everyone here telling him it's embarrasing for him to be living with his parents really don't have a CLUE on how expensive it is here in New York. I live in the city and if you all knew how much I paid, you'd all shit yourself silly.


Oh, and FUCK roomates.

[Cjskater]

Like it's been said, don't pay attention to the trolls. None of them can give a valid reason for you needing to move out of your parents house. "I did it so should you" stubbornness isn't a reason.