First time dog owner, what to expect? (small breed)

[Knibitz]

Hello ponies!
I graduated college last weekend and now I'm going to be moving to Michigan to pursue work.
Being all alone in the great white north, I've been thinking hard about getting a dog.


I'll be living in a one bedroom apartment, and have a 8-5pm job. I may have to travel at times, and knowing no one in the area, I'm guessing my dog will have to be boarded at times.


Breeds I'm looking at are mini schnauzers (my childhood dog), italian greyhounds (there's a greyhound rescue right where I'll be moving), yorkies, and my mother would like to see me get a maltese or a shizu(sp?)


I'll be adopting from either craigslist (obviously checking to make sure it's legitimate and the animal is in great care with paperwork), the local humane society, or, like I said, what I think I'd like to do is go through the greyhound rescue. I've already got my eye on Auggie, one of the Italian greyhounds available: [size=78%]http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21886698?rvp=1[/size]




But what do I expect?
My biggest concern is affording it. I do have a job that pays very well, but what really are the exact costs?
vet care, grooming, food, toys, something to wear out in the cold (mainly just for the greyhound if that turns out) treats, extra stuff, etc.


I'm thinking about getting an older dog - is that a bad idea? I worry that I'd get an older dog and begin getting hit by medical issues that I'll struggle to afford and care for.




Does anyone own any of the breeds I listed? especially an italian greyhound?




I also own a leopard gecko who's docile and in a tank with a lid that will be on a shelf, but I'm slightly worried.




and lastly, is looking at craigslist a bad idea for a pet? I'm just really worried I'll get dooped into adopting an animal that's in worse shape than the owner admits, or has behavioral problems.










And what should I expect from an humane society/rescue?  Im going to live in a one bedroom apartment - are my hopes lost?
I know a lot of places want you to have a back yard.

[Eviecorn]

The first thing to consider is time you're able to devote to the dog.  With working and traveling, are you going to have enough time to spend with him/her to properly socialize the dog?  The energy level is another big factor.  With you being absent most of the day and a one-bedroom apartment, a dog that requires a lot of exercise may not be the best idea.  A toy breed or mixed toy would probably be better in this situation than an Italian greyhound, which requires moderate exercise (even a retired racing dog.)

Older dogs make great companions!  On the flip side of health problems, you'll most likely get a dog who is already house trained and may know some basic commands, and may even know how to act alone in a house (ie. not as much chewing, getting in the trash, etc.)  No promises on that one, though.    All things come with patience and time.

I have never had experiences with Craigslist, but most of my animal companions have come from shelters, and I really, really recommend going this route, or a breed-specific rescue like you mentioned.  Those dogs are in extreme need of homes in order to, in most cases, avoid euthanization.  You'd be doing the animal population a solid.

Good luck with the companion you do choose!

[kaoskat]

I recommend starting a savings or investing in pet health insurance. That will help alot with big vet bills that are bound to happen eventually. Annually the dog should get a check up and their shots. That will vary by vet so you'll need to check with your chosen vet's office. Ours the office visit fee is $35 and shots are $12. I recommend trying to find a vet who listens to what you have to say. If the vet blows off your concerns when you are there, find a new one. It could save your pet's life.

Grooming costs will vary from breed to breed as well as groomer to groomer so you'll need to check around in your new area once you have decided on a dog.

Food, treats, clothing, toys, beds, extra stuff, is all at your discretion. They need these things sure but it's really up to you how much you spend. Do your research on food and talk with your vet to figure out what is best for your dog.


Also, keep in mind that some places require your dog to have a license, so check for the laws in your area. Licensing fees are often less for animals that are "fixed".

Older dogs are wonderful! Try to get a medical history if you can, that will help. There are many benefits to getting an older dog. They are usually already housebroken and otherwise trained. You'll be giving a dog a home that really needs one. Too many people want puppies or young dogs, older dogs often get over looked in the process. Older dogs don't tend to be nearly as destructive as younger ones. As far as health issues, any dog can be plagued with them at any age, so buying younger won't save you from that. Especially with purebreds, an older dog is probably your safer bet to avoid genetic issues which can be those life long huge vet bills. Alot of those issues tend to show up in young adult dogs rather than in the elderly.

We have a multitude of species in our house and have never had a problem. Mammals tend to be more interesting than reptiles, likely because or their scent and activity levels. I really don't think you have to worry about the dog stalking your geckos. With careful introductions and firm rules, they could even get along well. Unless your geckos like to escape though, that won't likely matter anyway, as long as it's out of the dog's reach.

I have never looked on Craigslist for a pet. I will give you the advice I was told ages ago though, never give money to someone taking out an ad to sell their animals. Good breeders don't sell pets to whoever comes in with the money and they aren't in a rush to get rid of them. Check with your vet or a local breed club to find a breeder or a bred specific rescue. Consider rescuing a dog from a rescue. Do your research on these too however and make sure you are adopting from a place that has put the effort into preparing the dog for adoption and will do their best to find the right home and not just any home.

Rescue adoption requirements vary by rescue, and should vary by the specific dog you are adopting. Check their website for the basics or even consider calling. They should be willing to talk about what is expected of your home. Yards do tend to be preferred, but if you have a good plan for ensuring your dog gets enough exercise and outdoor time, most will be willing to work with you.

The most important advice of all is take your time. Wait until you find the right dog for you. It's good to go in with an idea of what you want, but be flexible. Your perfect new best friend may not be the dog you are looking for or expect. Wait for the dog you connect with rather than the one you have a superficial attraction to and it will be so worth it. There are alot of adorable dogs out there, but if you wait for the special one and not just the cute one, you'll never regret it no matter what the 2 of you have to go through together.

[Rhini]

I was in a similar situation last year, just graduated college, new job, new apartment alone. I've always been a dog person, but I ended up getting a cat instead and it was definitely the right decision for me.


I also work 8-5 and I just didn't feel comfortable leaving a dog alone for that amount of time. You have to walk them in the mornings and then immediately after you get home. If you commute, that means they may be alone for 10-11 hours a day, and that's really a long time to ask a dog to be in a crate with no bathroom, water or food breaks. Plus then you'd have to assure you never worked late and couldn't do anything after work as you'd need to go home and take the dog out right away. With the traveling you'd have to board them, which will probably get fairly expensive. Like you said you also have to take into account possible vet bills, food, grooming charges etc etc. I wanna say I end up paying about $20 a month for cat food, which should be comparable with a smaller dog. All his initial supplies came to about $100 (but I got a lot of toys ) , and  I haven't had to worry about any vet bills as of yet. Also does your apartment have a pet deposit/monthly fee? Because mine did, and it was a hefty sum of money unfortunately.


I would think the rescue group would be fine with a smaller dog in a small apartment, my big worry is time. It really depends on the dog, an older dog might not mind sleeping at home alone all day, but the person below me recently got a new dog and the poor thing just sits there crying and wailing all day because he's so lonely  . With work, you're only going to be around 5-6 hours tops before you go to bed, so your animal is only going to get companionship and interaction maybe 6 out of 24 hrs of the day.  I've come to the conclusion that the only time I'd be comfortable having a dog is if I lived with someone else who worked different hours than me and could be there to take them out during the day and so they wouldn't be alone so long. For instance my roommate usually works 12-8, so she would be there in the mornings after I left to take them out etc. and then I would be home at 5, so he would only be alone for 5-6 hrs ish.


The cat is much more low maintenance. He sleeps pretty much all day while I'm gone and I just leave his food and water out and he's good to go. He is also definitely every bit as affectionate/funny/playful as any dog and is more independent and self-sufficient so I don't worry about him getting lonely or bored. And every time it's nasty outside I am so happy my animal pees in a box . I certainly sympathize with your situation and would love to have a dog sometime in the future, but I honestly think I'd wait until you have a little more free time to spend with them.


That's just my two cents, and if you do decide to go ahead and get a dog I commend you for rescuing one and hope it works out well 

[Yuitsu]

I'd advise against the greyhound because of the exercise they need. They also tend to get a bit...smelly. A retired racer I knew slept and parped and that was about it. (There are also potential behavioural problems with ex-racers, something called learned helplessness where they are so used to a fixed routine they don't know how to be a dog anymore.)

A good thing to have a look at regardless of the dog is the Hierachy of Needs for Dogs. It's a pyramid with grooming, eating, socialising etc on, in the order of importance to a dog. Safety is on the bottom - if the dog doesn't feel safe, it won't do any of the above like groom or eat or whatever. It's a good way to work out why it's doing x y or z and then you can fix the problem.

Costs..it depends.
Diet wise? If you could do it, raw food. It's messy and takes some working out (20% of the dog weight divided by 7 = daily amount). I met a couple of big dogs (husky and alsatian) on a raw food diet and they were in stunning condition, brilliant teeth and coats, never had to go to the vets, just because they weren't getting the added junk in their food.
Greyhounds and their various offshoot breeds often have osteoporosis, which is something to think about. 
If there are no pre-existing conditions, get insurance sorted out.
Vaccinations will have to be up to date and kept on top of if Dog needs to go into boarding kennels at all.

Groomings not hard to do at all. Couple of good brushes, one to get the dead undercoat out when the seasons change. If they dislike anything you can train them out of that. Positive reinforcement

Toys...balls. Fluffy things. Chewy things. You may as well get cheap ones, to be honest. They'll all go the same way. I saw a toy labelled "indestructible" and it was in bits and half the size within two days.

Treats are a use sparingly thing.

Doggy coats? Well. They don't really need them. Depends how much you object to a soggy doggy after a walk.

 
Cor. Knew that animal behaviour course would be handy!

[Knibitz]

Everything I've been reading says that the italian greyhound is a great apartment animal. Very snuggly, does well in apartments.
They're bred smaller and are catlike in that they are relatively easy to tucker out from just running around the apartment, like to sunbathe in high places, and can be litter trained.

Are you sure you all aren't confusing this will full size greyhounds?

[Moony]

If anything fullsize greyhounds are less work than an italian greyhound. My family has three greyhounds and they pretty much care for themselves lol. If anything I would recommend a cat especially because you won't be around for most of the day. They will pretty much care for themselves while you aren't there. You could also get a kitten (or two from the same litter) and they can keep each other company. An adult cat would be a good idea too. My family has gotten two of our cats off of Craigslist (we have 6 cats) and they are very well adjusted and we haven't had a problem with either one Overall I would suggest a cat (or a pair of littermates) just because you'll be gone most of the day Good luck!

[LadyMoondancer]

I don't think a greyhound rescue will have Italian greyhounds.  AFAIK they mostly rescue retired track dogs, and Italian greyhounds are not actually used for racing.


Italian greyhounds are notoriously hard to housetrain.  I looked into getting one myself, but decided not to after I kept running into reputable breeder websites that said things like "Sometimes, no matter how much you housetrain an Iggie, they will refuse to pee outside when it's raining."

[Knibitz]

Hence the reason I'm looking at the greyhound rescue and not getting a puppy
I know I dont have the time to train a puppy at this time, so I'm looking at adopting an older dog.

I've been researching IG issues and expectations and it seems like all things I can handle.
I obviously wont take a dog that won't work for me.


and really don't want a cat.
I know many MANY people that have happy healthy dogs of various breeds that still work 8-5 jobs.
Is the setting necessarily perfect for a dog? No, but I'm not expecting to be perfect.
I plan to specifically choose my animal based on what will be the best pairing. If the dogs personality can't handle being alone for extended periods during teh day, then it's not the animal for me.

No. I don't want a cat.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Here is a REALLY AWESOME website that discusses the rescue aspects of greyhounds very well:
http://www.chinookwindsgreyhounds.org/

[HavACrumpet452]

Food, if you go top quality, will probably run $20-25 a month for a small breed. You're going to want to give several small meals a day to keep a small dog from getting hypoglycemia. Also don't free-feed with food out all the time because it is harder to tell if your dog is off its food and not feeling well.

Grooming I suggest learning to do yourself if you are getting a long-haired dog. An all around short clip is quite easy to do and many clippers come with guide combs so you don't cut too short. The big problem there is getting a dog who has not been so traumatized by grooming that it must be put under to get the job done. If you go for professional grooming expect to pay $50 every 8-12 weeks if you want to keep a short managable trim. Long coats are easy to look after though, all you have to do is brush it out while you're sitting in front of the tv watching FIM. Its not as much work as people make it out to be.

An adult dog is probably ideal to avoid vet bills. You'll already know if its been spayed or neutered and had no reaction to anestesia. It will already be past the age where parvo is a threat. You should already know if it has a heart murmur which is super common in small breeds. All sorts of congenital conditions should already be known. Small breed puppies, especially poorly bred ones, have been known to run up thousands of dollars in vet bills when conditions first rear their heads so going with an adult can potentially save you the heartache. Just look for one with relatively decent teeth.

[stopxmotion]

Dogs do just fine living with people who work full time jobs. MOST good dog owners have jobs and are out of the home for a decent part of the day, leaving their dogs crated or in a secure area. Not sure why people are saying you have a job so get a cat instead? Maybe you should just get some fish, lol. Or a pet rock. I would be more worried about someone not having a job and wanting to adopt a dog.
If you could go to check on the dog and let him out potty during your lunch break, that would be ideal.

If you are taking care of your dog's exercise and nutritional needs when you are at home, he isn't going to die because you have to go to work and can't be with him 24/7. Dogs are adaptable, and dogs sleep a lot! A happy, well adjusted dog will spend some time with you in the morning going for a walk or a quick run around the yard, potty, and then settle down in a crate(or his area of the home) while you go off to work. He will be excited and anxious for your return so he can eat his dinner and have play/walks/snuggle times with you in the evening, and will also continue to bond at night when he is sleeping near you.
How much time the dog will need from you when you're not at work will depend on the breed and individual personality, so it's great you're keeping that in mind.
You CAN have a high energy dog in a small apartment with a full time job. It may not be ideal, but if you can devote most of your free time to your dog, his needs will still be met. Dogs are social and thrive on their human's attention. They could care less how many rooms you have in your home.

I don't know about rescues. I've never worked with them because they tend to be picky. I know they want their animals to end up in good homes, but it seems they are just a lot of trouble. And yes, a lot of them ask you to have a backyard which is bull. But they might let it pass since you are wanting a small breed. I got both of my dogs from breeders.

As far as cost.. I dunno. My dogs cost hardly anything to care for. Their "big" bills are just vet checks/shots. Other than that though a healthy dog should not be costly. Food, toys, and treats should be factored into your budget. You may have licensing fees, spay/neuter costs, dentals, etc.. and you should be prepared for those things to arise, but those are one time things or yearly.
I recommend purchasing all of the supplies you will need before the dog comes home. That includes things like food, bowls, blankets, crate, toys, leash and collar, etc. Look around the internet for some good lists of stuff to have. That way you can do one big purchase for all of this stuff, and have everything ready.

If you haven't been around dogs much and are unfamilar with how to train and interact with them, obedience classes are highly recommended. And unruly and untrained dog is not a pleasant house mate.

[melodys_angel]

Shih tzus are my favourite breed, and I owned one for his entire life.  A few things to keep in mind:

With small dogs, there are certain deseases that are passed through lineage, as well as common breathing issues.  If you get a dog from a breeder, look at the parents and ask to make sure theres nothing hereditary in the family line

With ling hair dogs, grooming is mantatory and takes awhile to do each day.  But you need to keep ontop of it or thier coat will matt easily.  Same with the eyes--you have to clean them out.

Shih tzus are stubborn dogs but very loyal, protective and lovable. Ours was amazing with kids, other animals and very affectionate.  The key is to condition them early on, and I swear youll have the most perfect dog you can imagine for its life. My comet had an amazing personality that I wouldnt trade for the world!


Stay away from pugs. Not only do they have health issues, they are spunky and hard to train.  They are supposed to calm down after about a year old but my brothers hasnt.

[cuddlebuggy]

I do know that Italian Greyhounds can be prone to fracturing those thin legs of theirs so insurance is a must. Heartworm meds for a small breed will run around $60 to $70 per year and flea meds around $120 per year (get 6- 12 months at a time to save $$)
Most smaller dogs will to fine if you can walk them twice a day for 20 minutes and one to two 15 minute training sessions.

[dragonlady]

Just popping in to say since you are moving to an area that's really cold in winter you will need a dog coat no matter which breed you get (not just greyhound). The booties are great for protecting their paws against salt/chemicals and the cold.