Dog?

I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a dog. I really want a little companion with whom I can go running. And if I owned a dog I’d probably invest far too much time in teaching it sweet useless tricks.

Initial research has led me to the German Shepherd, Canaan dog, and Labrador.

The biggest two hurdles for me are
1) time commitment
2) a name

The time commitment issue might solve itself within a year or so (two years at most)… but I still need a name for the dog. Schenk recommended “Doggy McBark.” I think that we can probably do better.

I’m looking for suggestions. For names and for sweet tricks that the dog could learn.

36 thoughts on “Dog?

  • 7/10/2007 at 9:41 am
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    name: tucker
    tricks: high fives (i am actually very good at teaching dogs how to do this)
    fetch the mail
    do the dishes

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  • 7/10/2007 at 9:48 am
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    This all coming from a guy who was a slightly more than a little intimidated by Kramer…the lab-shepherd-whatever else mix. Here’s my advice: Labs and German Shepherds are bad choices for you for breeds. You might want to investigate a little further into the Canaan dog though, which might be more suited to your style.

    Especially if you want to be able to teach it sweet (read as: flying frisbee catching while jumping over you) tricks, you should go for a sleek medium sized dog who is full of intelligence and energy. Because lord knows it will need a lot to keep up with you. But as you mentioned, time commitment is a big necessity when owning a dog, you may have to drop one or more of your thousands of activities in favor of long walks with your canine pal.

    If this is your first dog, I recommend getting one from a breeder, and do as much research about the dog and it’s background as you can. If you don’t want a puppy, just be very cautious about getting a dog from the shelter. Although it is very admirable to do so, getting a dog from a shelter shouldn’t be taken lightly. Behavior problems run amok in shelters, and the dog will take much more time, patience, and training to rid it of any learned (and unwanted) behaviors. Ben would be a good person to talk to about that, since he did an amazing job with Farro.

    So just do a lot more research…there are tons of breeds out there, don’t just stick to the popular ones that you’ve heard the most about because chances are there is something far more compatible with you out there.

    Also, feel free to ask me questions about it if you want. I happen to know a great deal about most breeds, as well as dog care in general, and anything I don’t know, I can always bounce off Heather, my live in vet tech.

    As for a name…I always say you have to meet any pet first before giving it an appropriate name. :-)

    Good luck!

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  • 7/10/2007 at 9:53 am
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    I’m clearly unqualified to give pet advice name… though I stand by the fact that I was opposed to Katrina’s choice when she named Sypek, and Farroh is too dumb to learn a new name and some dumb hick southerner named her.

    Name the dog Mike D, so that when people come over they will be endlessly confused.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 11:11 am
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    Fatty.

    The dog’s name should be Fatty.

    And +1 on Caitlin’s comments regarding smaller acrobatic dogs. That’d be more your style… i can see it now, the dog flying over MikeD as he roundhouse kicks a watermelon!

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  • 7/10/2007 at 11:12 am
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    I like funny cute names…My buddy’s Chinese Sharpei (Spelling?) was named Sir Lotsa Wrinkles. Look at a picture of one of them and you’ll understand.

    Or normal people names. Like Charles, Franklin, Bob, and the everclassic Betty.
    Nothing like trying to get your dog a credit card! Betty DiDonato has a 20,000 Dollar credit limit! thanks Discover!

    but then again it depends on the breed, and it may come with a name.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 1:00 pm
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    hey mike!
    you should go to the SPCA and/or humane society… or some charitable pet place.. and pick out a dog that you fall in love with. You will find each other! it sounds corny.. but it happens. Rescue dogs are the best around. I would have an idea of what size dog you want.. but as far as breeds go… just go with who you bond with.
    =O) any lab mix is wonderful.. BTW

    i also think you can’t name a dog until you know it!

    so i guess i’m no help at all! haha .

    good luck!

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  • 7/10/2007 at 1:32 pm
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    Yes! Actually I think Tony, Paulette, and I are going to check out the SPCA sometime within the next week or two. Hopefully I’ll learn some more about different breeds of dogs and such.

    You should come along! It’ll be pet-tastic.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 1:44 pm
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    Shaun, you can’t give away one of our dog’s many names,beasticus maximus has become a term of endearment in our house.

    Also, Mike, if you are interested in adopting a dog, rather than purchasing one, you should look at Petfinder.com. The site gathers listings from many local organizations, and it gives some good information about each dog’s personality and needs.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 1:45 pm
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    Yeah, that’s what I did… but rather than the SPCA, you should check out no-kill shelters… your money is going to support the shelter you choose, and no kill shelters never put down their dogs (and often need the $$$ to feed the permanent residents).

    But that’s how i got my dog, went to a few shelters until i found a dog i couldn’t leave there.

    However, for your first dog ever… a breeder might be better, as long as they’re reputable, since the dog’s personality will be somewhat predictable.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 2:02 pm
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    Did nobody read my comment?

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  • 7/10/2007 at 2:44 pm
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    Drat! I suppose you are right. I hearby retract my suggestion and substitute “Golfing”. Or any name that is actually a verb. Or “Intimidator”. Or “Miloslavsky”. Or “Ziebart”. Or “El Scorcho”. Or “Dr. Doom”.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 2:56 pm
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    Common people names for dogs are a waste, in my opinion. You only get to name two things in your life, pets and kids, and you can’t name your kid “Trogdor” without him hating you forever. Obscure people names can also work: Horshack, Archibald, Omar, Ramrod, Dieter, etc.

    I recommend a border-collie, because they can run forever, and they are the smartest breed out there, so you can teach it to catch a frisbee pretty quickly.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 3:03 pm
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    Although Border Collies are fantastic dogs, and my favorite, I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone (let alone a first time dog owner) unless you have acres of land preferably with sheep, like to run/walk several times a day, and want a dog that needs tons of exercise or some sort of mental stimulation.

    Basically, Border Collies are the MikeD of the dog world…and seriously who wants to own a Mike D? :-P

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  • 7/10/2007 at 3:10 pm
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    My parents have been breeding dogs forever, and always say the dog picks the owner. You have to find a dog that wants to adopt you.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 3:18 pm
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    No. It was too long.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 3:58 pm
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    Or Dex Detonator DiDonato! TripleD!

    Or, if in more of a Red Sox nation mood, Okajima Papelbon DiDonato. (courtesy of townie news)

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  • 7/10/2007 at 4:57 pm
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    Yes, my coworker has a border collie, who gets bored easily and destroys things unless he gets to run around all day. He chewed a stainless steel doorknob until it was crumpled up like tin foil.

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  • 7/10/2007 at 10:25 pm
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    Here’s why you shouldn’t get a dog.
    1. It needs to go outside a lot. You’re home approximately NEVER.
    2. It needs to get exercise. You’re home approximately NEVER.
    3. It needs a very high place on your priority list. You have 190293 priorities currently. Without completely giving up/occasionally sacrificing church choir, Asprin snacks, rock-climbing (inside and out), classes for 2 simultaneous master’s degrees, homework for 2 simultaneous master’s degrees, work full-time, constant travel (remember how dogs need to go out at least twice a day, and get fed? Yeah good luck getting anybody at the House of Rock to do that for you (nothing says “no problem” like asking a roomate to pick up dog poop in a plastic bag in their spare time)), working occasional overtime, and od forbid you ever get another girlfriend to suck up more of your time, and anything else you can come up with to occupy at least 12 hours of every day.
    If you cannot dedicate at least enough time to a dog so that it’s well-fed, well-exercised, paid attention to, and properly groomed, checked for health, immunized, etc (these things all cost money, which you seem to be categorically opposed to spending unless it’s on your own current obcessions/endeavors (rock climbing gear, Craftsman tools, current car problems, kite-boarding, problem light…)), you really shouldn’t ever have one.
    The only thing you have going for you is that you’ve got very limited common areas in your house for the dog to roam in, and your timid behavior around large breeds is highly evident to them, in which time they will try to hump your leg to death while you try to sleep. Phew!

    Do not get a dog until you’ve got time to give some TLC to YOURSELF, let alone another living thing.

    Love,

    _Sizzle

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  • 7/10/2007 at 11:28 pm
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    The reason I would not be interested in owning a dog until next summer (maybe Feb 09) is because of school. Actually, in February 09 I will have finished both academic adventures and, hopefully, the kung fu black belt.

    You make some great points. But I think I can muster a lot of dedication when I find it worthy. And a loyal companion with whom I can share adventures would *definitely* be worthy.

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  • 7/11/2007 at 8:27 am
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    Names: Dogface, Poochie the Wonder Canine, Vice Chancellor Furbag, The Tongue, McGruff the Crime Dog, You, Paws McGraw, Doggy D, Catkiller (to instill fear into all the strays in the neighborhood), The Destroyer, Rabies, Optimus Prime, Shredder, iDog

    Tricks: Sleeping, eating, whining because he needs to do doggy “business” at 3:43 AM, smelling like a dog, rolling in feces and dead animals, barking, getting worms

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  • 7/11/2007 at 9:20 am
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    That’s what I said too… hell yeah

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  • 7/11/2007 at 9:39 am
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    Just to add some insight based on my time working at a 24 animal emergency hospital… I would never get a dog.. or cat.. or ferret.. or bird.. or whatever until I was ready and willing to drop a lot of money on said animal. The reason I say this is because the unexpected can happen and will happen when you least want it to.. and I’ve seen all too often (unfortunately) owners put down their pets soley because of price. Incidents can occur (bloat, poisoning, hit by car) that can result in very expensive surgeries (thousands) but can also (fortunately) offer good guarantees of a happy, healthy, and safe recovery.

    So because an animals sheer existence depends on its owner.. it is always a shame to see a pet’s life cut short because of money. And my personal opinion is that a pet is more than an accessory to ones life but rather a member of the family.. so at least be ready to drop some dough.

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  • 7/11/2007 at 11:44 am
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    A logical argument??

    Who are you and what have you done with Sander?

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  • 7/11/2007 at 12:25 pm
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    =O) the pure bred border collies are definitely a hand full… but the mix breeds.. get the smarts and some of the energy! hopefully a good balance.. and then a little of the other… like mine is lab border collie.. she’s really laid back.. but can run and run! we do run at least 3 miles a day. and she is super smart… the destroying things part is if they are bored. and if you crate train them .. they won’t ever have a chance to learn how to do that.. just give ’em a chew toy….
    going home on lunches really helps too with a new dog. I def. would not recommend a puppy… maybe 11 months and up? i will be more than happy to go with you.. but i may end up with another dog!!! i try to stay away… i’m afraid i will love every doggy ever!

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  • 7/11/2007 at 12:28 pm
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    they are a lot of money if something happens.. but if you are careful enough and take the time to train them.. they cost you once or twice a year! not 2 bad..

    i say time time time.. (not money) should be more of a concern…

    but god forbid something does happen! it really is a crap load of money.

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  • 7/11/2007 at 1:32 pm
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    Yeah, I didn’t even know dogs could get IV fluid until Katrina’s stupid dog ate a bag of chocolate and had to spend the night at an animal hospital on an IV drip.

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  • 7/12/2007 at 11:42 am
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    I think it was a bit unclear that you were going to wait until you were finished with school before embarking on the adventure of getting a dog.

    I can’t believe other readers lack of belief in your total and utter dedication to every endeavour you take on. I have never seen you take something on without complete dedication to it. I’m sure once you get a dog within a short period of time you will have shown up every other dog owner with dog Aweseomeness. Good luck!

    Reply

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