5 ms·

Hm, if I just get a dog, the social weakness in the schedule is solved! Walking the dog at 5am in the park sounds really peaceful. 8pm-4am sounds a lot better.

Hm, if I just get a dog, the social weakness in the schedule is solved! Walking the dog at 5am in the park sounds really peaceful. 8pm-4am sounds a lot better. Shifting my schedule later a few hours would be a good compromise. I still get up early, but I don't sacrifice that evening.

loopdoend 14y ago
I tried getting a dog to solve the same issue. It did not work out so well. If you can put up with all the whining, barking, vet visits, 3 months of basically chasing around a pooping, peeing toddler, then go for it. It is not as simple as being the "pack leader". Getting a dog is likely not going to solve your problems and you should fully investigate the myriad negative consequences of getting a dog, including robbing you of your freedom. Also, if you don't live in a house where the dog has free access to a backyard I strongly recommend against it. Your are going to need to socialize it as a puppy. Going out on walks at 5 am does not sound like a good socialization opportunity. And what is the dog going to do while you're at school?
- angstrom 14y ago
  Many people fail to appreciate it which is why there are so many ill behaved dogs and shows like Dog Whisperer. Meanwhile the owner is still socially inept and now they spend all their time with their dog. It's like saying you should have kids so you can socialize with other parents...it doesn't add up.
  - polyfractal 14y ago
    Agreed, although it should be stated that Ceasar Milan ("Dog Whisperer") is basically a fraud that has no dog training experience and just makes shit up. There are tons of documented examples where he makes things up on the fly, entirely contradicting what he's said in previous shows. Sure, you can control any dog by beating them (literally) into submission...but you won't have a dog that enjoys your presence. His tactics are effectively "Be the boss, choke that dog, ALPHA ROLL....see how well it's behaving now? Shaking and with it's tail between it's legs?" If you get a dog, invest some time in learning about positive reinforcement training and buy yourself a $1 clicker. Your dog will love it, love you and retain it's natural curiosity...instead of crushing all sense of self-importance and initiative.
endgame 14y ago
I was working on a ship over new year's and was standing dock watch in the early hours of the morning (~2am). A couple of people on bikes stopped by, had a chat about the ship and rode on. Turns out they liked to do their training rides in the morning when there were no cars to get in their way. Besides, it was too hot during the day. My point is: you don't necessarily need the dog.
AlexDanger 14y ago
A dog is the perfect alarm clock :) It does curtail your lifestyle somewhat but so does having a family. We jokingly refer to him as our 'practice run' for having a child.
- ycombobreaker 14y ago
  A family definitely curtails lifestyle more than a dog. I find that in an urban environment, the dog is actually much more constraining when dealing with _society_ (i.e. neglecting that a child requires much more "training" investment). Dogs can't ride public transportation. Dogs aren't welcome in cabs or many stores (esp. food stores). Poor dog behavior at home may mean constant barking, which neighbors will not tolerate. Dog parks are few and far between. etc. I could survive in the city with a kid and no car. With a dog, I need a car to take him anywhere outside of walking distance.
  - AlexDanger 14y ago
    + 1 this is an important point. We live 200 metres from a very large off leash dog park. Lots of dogs means good socialisation. Lots of off leash exercise means a contented dog who doesnt bark or cause trouble. If the park wasnt so close we either wouldnt be living here or wouldnt have a dog. Its essential in an urban area.

loopdoend 14y ago

I tried getting a dog to solve the same issue. It did not work out so well. If you can put up with all the whining, barking, vet visits, 3 months of basically chasing around a pooping, peeing toddler, then go for it. It is not as simple as being the "pack leader". Getting a dog is likely not going to solve your problems and you should fully investigate the myriad negative consequences of getting a dog, including robbing you of your freedom. Also, if you don't live in a house where the dog has free access to a backyard I strongly recommend against it. Your are going to need to socialize it as a puppy. Going out on walks at 5 am does not sound like a good socialization opportunity. And what is the dog going to do while you're at school?

angstrom 14y ago
Many people fail to appreciate it which is why there are so many ill behaved dogs and shows like Dog Whisperer. Meanwhile the owner is still socially inept and now they spend all their time with their dog. It's like saying you should have kids so you can socialize with other parents...it doesn't add up.
- polyfractal 14y ago
  Agreed, although it should be stated that Ceasar Milan ("Dog Whisperer") is basically a fraud that has no dog training experience and just makes shit up. There are tons of documented examples where he makes things up on the fly, entirely contradicting what he's said in previous shows. Sure, you can control any dog by beating them (literally) into submission...but you won't have a dog that enjoys your presence. His tactics are effectively "Be the boss, choke that dog, ALPHA ROLL....see how well it's behaving now? Shaking and with it's tail between it's legs?" If you get a dog, invest some time in learning about positive reinforcement training and buy yourself a $1 clicker. Your dog will love it, love you and retain it's natural curiosity...instead of crushing all sense of self-importance and initiative.

endgame 14y ago

I was working on a ship over new year's and was standing dock watch in the early hours of the morning (~2am). A couple of people on bikes stopped by, had a chat about the ship and rode on. Turns out they liked to do their training rides in the morning when there were no cars to get in their way. Besides, it was too hot during the day. My point is: you don't necessarily need the dog.

AlexDanger 14y ago

A dog is the perfect alarm clock :) It does curtail your lifestyle somewhat but so does having a family. We jokingly refer to him as our 'practice run' for having a child.

ycombobreaker 14y ago
A family definitely curtails lifestyle more than a dog. I find that in an urban environment, the dog is actually much more constraining when dealing with _society_ (i.e. neglecting that a child requires much more "training" investment). Dogs can't ride public transportation. Dogs aren't welcome in cabs or many stores (esp. food stores). Poor dog behavior at home may mean constant barking, which neighbors will not tolerate. Dog parks are few and far between. etc. I could survive in the city with a kid and no car. With a dog, I need a car to take him anywhere outside of walking distance.
- AlexDanger 14y ago
  + 1 this is an important point. We live 200 metres from a very large off leash dog park. Lots of dogs means good socialisation. Lots of off leash exercise means a contented dog who doesnt bark or cause trouble. If the park wasnt so close we either wouldnt be living here or wouldnt have a dog. Its essential in an urban area.