| Author | Message | ||
     Joojoo |
Hey guys, Im thinking about getting a dog. I dont however want it to destroy most of my riding time. Anyone here have a dog, and if so, is it hard to balance going on rides, and your riding lifestyle with dog ownership? Jack | ||
| Downundabueller |
Yes it is hard. However I got a small dog and he rides in a box on the back. He is getting a custom fibreglass box made at the moment. | ||
| 2bbuell |
Get a wife also, and let the dog keep her company when you are on the bike. And, vice versa.  | ||
| Wardog3187 |
I second 2bbuell's suggestion!  | ||
| Tsmith4378 |
Except there is a lot of maintenance and expense with the second option, stick with the dog. My 3 dogs do well all day by themselves while I am at work. I created a room in my basement for them, complete with radio, fan blankets and toys. There dogs, they only retain 7 minutes of memory, (meaning after 7 minutes they forget they were even locked up for 8 hours) That and they cant tell time. Puppies however require a lot of attention at first and cant be kept unattended for long periods of times. Good luck, with your new friend, and go ride. | ||
| Whosyodaddy |
Except there is a lot of maintenance and expense with the second option, stick with the dog. Keep in mind that dogs are also easier to train.  WYD | ||
| Loki |
Try Ferrets! just like having toddlers in the house. Always getting into something they shouln't. My two six month olds have figured out how to open the kitchen cabinets. | ||
| Gonen60 |
My wife and I became blessed about a year ago, finding our dog at the pound..Meet "Joe Strummer" a most fantastic Chihuahua  | ||
| Roc |
Research the breeds you are considdering. What dogs need from their people varies alot. | ||
| Hootowl |
My ferrets get in the kitchen cabinets, crawl into the top drawers, then slam themselves against the inside front face until the drawer opens, then they run around on the counters knocking over glasses and whatever else I left up there. It was cure the first time. Now I have child locks on the doors. | ||
| Gschuette |
I love my chocolate lab so much. Labs are such cool laid back easy to train dogs. Miss Gypsy is the second Lab that I have had. I also had a Jack Russell Terrier once and that dog was not cool. I would recommend a Lab just stay away from any terrier. What kind of dog are you looking at getting? | ||
| U4euh |
On the 2nd option My two Doberman's really don't care if I ride all day, work on my bike ALL night long, or heck even LOOK at another dog. Just as long as they get fed, let outside to excercise and other business. All they want is some attention when I am home. So yeah, get the dog, just remember lots of attention and maintenence for about the first year. | ||
| Lonexb |
i 2nd gonen6o notion  | ||
| Gschuette |
Gonen60 brings up a good point. Try to save a pooch from the pound. A breeder isn't gonna put a pup to sleep but the pound will. It will save you a lot of money as well. | ||
| BadS1 |
The Humane Society is a great place to get a great pet.I you find something that like you and you like him/her you might of found your pet.Try to get some background from them,it can help.But if you want a pedigree dog research the dog before you buy it may not be for your type of lifestyle,match the breed with how you live.Another pointer is if you find the right breed and then find them in your local newspaper make sure the people are on the up ans up.Like a warranty on the dogs health,such as eye's and hips,or any disorders the pups parents may have.Get it in writing. I have two dogs and one's from the Humane society and ones from a breeder both have rewarded me unconditionally.The picture below is my Buddy Goliath (Old English Mastiff)best dog I ever owned and a heart of gold.A breed thats very family orientated.All 180 somes lbs. of him.  (Message edited by bads1 on October 03, 2004) | ||
| Gschuette |
I'm a sucker for dogs and I just had to say that is a great picture. This is my favorite thread that has been created in a long time. The tips from bads1 are great. | ||
| Newxb9er |
I have two labs, a chocolate, and a yellow we adopted. Labs are great. They stay home all day alone and I come home, let them out to run and I can still get some time in to ride. I ride for hours on the weekend and they don't care. Puppies are a different ball of wax! Check www.akc.org and check the breeds. They also have links to rescue places that are breed specific. That is where we got our second lab, and it's been perfect! | ||
| Ethanr |
Another good option is rescue groups. They're usually breed-specific (e.g., Arizona Boxer Rescue) and can help you find a well-mannered, housebroken & neutered adult dog that needs a home. After having to euthanize an 11 year old Boxer last month, my wife & I just adopted a 3 year old from ABR to keep our other Boxer company. He's a real treat! > A breeder isn't gonna put a pup to sleep but the pound will. A reputable breeder won't destroy a puppy, but quite a few backyard and puppy-mill breeders do...or dump them on the local Humane Society. The downside of getting a dog from the pound is that you usually don't know its history. Most rescue groups won't adopt out a dog until they've had it long enough to know its temperament, and they often know its background (neglect, abuse, used for dog fighting, etc.). The better groups also put *you* through a screening to make sure you're a good match for one of their dogs. | ||
| Jeremyh |
iown 3, 2 minpins and an italian greyhound, they do just fine. | ||
| Americanrice |
I have a husky and he is great. He is very loving (he thinks that he is an 86# lap dog) but also very independent. The best thing about him is that he never seems to get cold. I can leave him outside for days if I needed to and he is fine. He doesn't even go in his house, he just sprawls out all over the snow and sleeps! | ||
| BadS1 |
Heres another pic of Goliath just chill'n out.  | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
I typically rode 5000mi a year... until last year. I got married and got a dog. I spent so much time with that damn thing the first summer I rode less than 1000mi. Training, dog parks, and taking the dog for rides in the car instead of riding the bike... But a year later the dog is on a routine schedule and takes a lot less time (but still takes more time than not having one). Find time to do two things together, like run with the dog because it's quicker than a walk and good for both of you. I have ridden almost 5000mi so far this summer, back to normal. It's great having it all too, I couldn't imagine not having the dog around (oh, and the wife too). Good luck! Our baby, Bailey the Boxer-Coonhound, from a shelter in Wisconsin.  |
