Getting A Dog

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I am learning to be a dog trainer, thanks to a friend of mine who is one of the best in the south-west of the UK. She has enough faith in me to make me her protege. I would seriously think about it, and then seriously think about the training method called clicker training. This can help shape the dogs skills with no punishment. I have found it helps me come out of my shell, and I express happy emotions and change the tone of my voice when I'm with my dogs. Shaping is also a great way to learn the neccessary social skills most Aspies lack. As much as I hate doing it, I am training myself to look people in the eye more often. I know more about dog behaviour than I do about correct human behaviour!

Without sounding like I am plugging it, there is a book called Don't Shoot the Dog, and I would read that for certain.

Like a lot of aspies, I tend to relate better to animals than to people most of the time. I got a dog after a particularly nasty break-up. Probably not the best time to get an animal but it really did help. As long as you are able to be with the dog on a regular basis, don't leave it alone too much in the beginning and have someone to watch it if you DO have to be away, I say go for it.

As for breeds, I'm partial to mini dachshunds. They are VERY affectionate, fiercely loyal and protective, and very playful. They tend to chew a bit as puppies (what breed doesn't?) but after that, they are great. I had mine in my apartment in Chicago and she was the perfect size.

You might notice my avatar... that's her.

For apartments, my suggestions are:

1.) Dachshund (mini or standard)
2.) Basset Hound (2 years or older)
3.) Beagle
4.) Pug

Of course, as many other people have said, there are a lot of other considerations, especially your lifestyle. Another good place to start would be your local humane society as they can give you tips on selecting your perfect companion.

I would agree with dachunds and pugs .

Although not as sure about beagles ( used for fox hunting and can RUN all day long) or basset hounds although I am no expert.

I have an Irish Setter just for the record



Ps - follow this link a scroll down to see a picture of a Puggle ( hybrid of Pug and Beagle ! !:)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beagles

I would say a labrador is a good breed especially for aspies and auties, easy to train, nice temperment, usually very content and happy dogs, very good companions too..

If your very energenic, and you don't want a breed everbody else has, and want a breed who has a lot of energy like yourself, I would recommend a chesapeake bay retriever, curly haired, cute dogs, same size of a golden retriever, lot of energy, alittle stubborn sometimes to train, but good all around dogs..

Small dogs, if you want a nice calm smaller breed, I would recommend you to get a pug, nicce sweet dogs, usually pretty calm, especially when you train them..

Non-barking easy, dog that many people don't have.. a basenji, they yoddle, about the size of a pitbull height wise, their a relative of the greyhound believe it or not, can be calm, can be hyper depends on the genes, usually can be calm, very sweet and gentle dogs..

Anyways I would still say a labrador, they seem to be the best dogs for people with disabilities, and people who just want a friend..

I guess being obsessed with dog breeds comes in handy sometimes haha

_________________
Being Normal Is Vastly Overrated

I'm a dog trainer myself, though not professional due to moderate AS. I have helped out with my own trainers classes for years, & have trained my own SDs. I hate to disagree, but I won't even get into the full long list on Labs & how misunderstood they are. They have been used as war & Police K9's for decades due to their aggressive side (keep in mind they aren't anything like Golden Retrievers) aggression it will come out when not socialized properly. I've this countless times in dog classes & at the parks. They aren't the family-perfect-dog a lot of people claim them to be. They are way over-bred by BYB's & corrupted due to popularity. I don't recommend Labs at all. A lot of SD orgs are using them less & less due to aggressive genes. They haven't had luck breeding it out of their lines (even when crossing with golden retrievers) It's a shot breed now with health too, which is sad.

Have you thought about other pets besides dogs? loske, mentioned a cat - but that is tricky as a lot of people are allergic to cats (dogs & other pets too). Best to find out first. With cats & dogs allergies are with the dander, with rabbits, etc its the urine. Ever thought about a pet fancy rat? They don't live very long (about 2 years) but they are super intelligent & trainable. Easy to exercise & love to ride around on your shoulder or just snuggle. I've had quite a few pet rats myself. Rabbits, guinea pigs & rats all give off a slight odor, this is something to keep in mind.

If you want to battle odor you can go with a Chinchilla (I've had three) they are hypo allergenic, odorless & very intelligent also. One of my oldest just passed at 15 years of age. Not all will like to socialize, it's best to get them young or from a good breeder. One of mine just melts when you pet him, the other who just lost her twin ignores me completely unless I have a tasty treat. I've read they don't like loud sounds, they are prone to seizures & scare easily. When scared badly they release their hair, yup bald. Thankfully mine have always kept their hair. They are very fast & can jump around 6ft in any direction. I ended up training mine a command to go back in their cage after play times, it's less stressful for everyone then catching them. On the down side they do need dust baths (google them on this) the dust gets into everything. I ended up putting them in their own room, I just shut the door on bathing days. Having them in their own room is also safer when letting them out of their cage to run.

These are just some other options.

I bow to your greater knowledge of beagles



Zincubus wrote:
I would agree with dachunds and pugs .

Although not as sure about beagles ( used for fox hunting and can RUN all day long) or basset hounds although I am no expert.


That's what I originally thought about beagles too, but a high proportion of people around my apartment complex have them. As for the basset, well the reason that I put 2 years or older is because Remy, my basset, is a little over a year old and still has a LOT of energy right now. However, he is starting to get into the mature basset habit of being a "couch potato" for most of the day...nothing like a 10 hour nap!

I wouldn't have a lab in an apartment, they can be quite big dogs and very destructive if they get bored. Especially black and chocolate labs.

As much as people say they are intelligent and easy to train, they can also be very difficult (my boy was kind of too intelligent, if that makes sense?). But of course, that's assuming you buy from puppy. If you're rescuing a dog then I wouldn't even bother thinking about breed, I'd just take a lot of time to visit places and check out all the dogs and explain your needs to the people there. They'll find you the dog that will suit you best.

However, I'm not sure about where you live but in England places like Battersea will only let you take dogs if you have an adequately sized house and garden.

I also would not just say, "Dogs are good for people, pets are good for people, etc. etc." because animals are commitment. You should make sure that you can live up to what the animal needs before you buy one for the 'selfish' reasons.

I would prefer someone to look at all the negatives first, because it's such a big commitment and it really annoys me when people let animals down. You see too much of it. I'm not suggesting you would, but my advice always comes from that cynical side.

* There's the cost. Vaccinations, medications, food, toys, vet consultation fees, collars and leads, a bed, repairs to anything the dog might damage, etc. etc. It all adds up. Especially when the dog gets older. Headstrong dogs often need castrating.
* Then there's the time you have to train the dog (assuming it needs training), to exercise the dog, and the responsibility of having to remember to feed it and give it any medication or transport it to the vets if need be. Some dogs require around an hour of exercise a day, and you have to do that in all weathers. And it can be a 12 year routine (or longer, depending on the breed and health of the dog and age you get it from). It's often recommended that you don't leave a dog alone for more than four hours, and some dogs can't take being left alone that long.
* Then if you did have a headstrong dog you'd need the strength, patience and time to train/control it. You'd also have to be able to socialise it (especially if it's a big breed that could harm other dogs).
* Your dog will need space. Somewhere to mess, somewhere to let off steam (obviously space does depend on breed, as well). Space for the dog bed, etc. etc. Always remembering that it's not fair to a larger dog to be cooped up inside without a garden, even if you have got a nearby park (maybe that's just my opinion, but I think it makes sense - I live in a house so there's plenty of space for a dog, but I really don't know how my lab would have coped without a garden).

So there's a lot of important factors you need to weigh up before thinking about anything else. When you have a better idea of what you can offer the dog, then you can start thinking about what the dog can offer you.

I have service dog which happens to be an otterhound. Because she is a service dog not a pet I can have her with me pretty much anywhere. I am doing much better with her. I don't meltdown like I used to, interact better around others, my fear and anxiety have gone way done, my self-injurious behavors have disapeared, I do not compulsivly pace excessively like I used to (I still pace a little but it has been severly reduced), I'm much happier and friendlier, and I can function more normally than I used to.
If you want a dog temperment is more important than breed. The type of dog you should get should be friendly, not intimadated or aggressive around other people or animals, well-trained/behaved, and best suited for your needs.

Benji wrote:

I would love a dog too, they really calm me down. But my situation does not allow for one and Mum is not keen! I like King Charles Cavaliers and Labs and Setters.

I've made looking after my dogs one of my obsessions. I know giving yourself a new one isn't always good for you, but this way, everything is in my mental schedule for the day, and everything that needs to, gets done. I care about my dogs than most, not all, of the people I know, so there is no way on this, or any other planet that I would do anything to hurt or jeopodise them.

Yes I agree that you need to be prepared for a dog to take over your life, it would be the same as having a child. If you want the dog to turn out right, then being there at every turn is absolutely essential.

On the other hand, you have a companion that brings out the best in you, doesn't judge you, and loves you unconditionally. A dog's main priority is itself, so if you use positive treament, it will come back for more, knowing you are the one it has to depend on. As soon as every command is imprinted upon your brain, it all comes quite easily.

Its worth thinking about dog trainers, because they can help to give you guidance, even talking to your vet or breeder. Every positive step comes back to reward you, the same goes for negative steps.

On many subjects I have no strong feelings either way, but animals as therapy and or care is a definite yes.

I had a puppy a few months ago, but we had to re home her as I am really to messed up in my head to look after a dog. She was beautiful though, she was a staffy and she was mad. You'd be better off with a toy breed like a Jack Russel or Yorkie, I wanted a Pomeranian! lol, but yeah, a smaller dog would be better.