Buying a Dog!!!!!

Hello,

I am new to this group and I need advice. I am looking to get a dog in
March. I do not own one currently, but had a poodle for over 13 years
(he died back in 1985). I live in a two family house, and my sister
and family (they live upstairs) have a golden retriever. As much as I
love Nugget, I have wanted a dog of my own for a long time, and now the
time is right.

I'm leaning more towards a mix than a pure-bred, as I've read that they
are often sturdier and healthier. I am going to get my new companion
at the North Shore Animal League here on Long Island (New York), a very
reputable organization. Many people i know have gotten their dogs
there, and have been very satisfied with them.

I'd like to find a medium sized dog, playful but not too hyper,
friendly, etc. What would be a good mix to look for? My aunt has a
retiever/shepherd mix, a good dog, but he doesn't give kisses (LOL!).

I want to provide my dog with the bvest possible life, and therefore, I
need a lot of information. What books, websites, etc. would you all
recommend? What are the best puppy foods? What are the best dog
foods? Best training methods? I've heard that rawhide toys aren't
that great for dogs, is this correct?

Any advice/suggestion will be welcome and greatly appreciated.

Al

I'm aware that the North Shore Animal League has a large number of dogs
rescued from New Orleans. I just recently met a beautiful 10 month old
Chocolate Lab who was stranded in his house for two weeks. As sad as it is,
he is a healthy and happy boy, is making new friends at the dog run, and has
an owner who dotes over him.

That being said, the only advice I'd give is to keep an open mind. Don't go
with any preconceived notions as to what you want.

A lot of people say that their dogs choose them, not the other way around.
Your new companion will introduce him/herself to you if you let them.

If you live in the NYC area, I recommend the book The Dog Lover's Companion
to New York, and another entitled Urbanhound.

There are plenty of good books on dog health and training. I'm certain that
North Shore can recommend their favorites. There are lots of dog/puppy
training classes in NYC. Signing up for a couple isn't a bad idea. And
finding a good place for your dog to socialize is key. Other dog owners are
a good source of information. If your sister is happy with her vet, then
you have that covered. If she isn't happy with her vet, ask around for
recommendations.

Good for you, and best of luck!


On 1/13/06 8:28 AM, in article
, "Aticineto"
wrote:

Hello,

I am new to this group and I need advice. I am looking to get a dog in
March. I do not own one currently, but had a poodle for over 13 years
(he died back in 1985). I live in a two family house, and my sister
and family (they live upstairs) have a golden retriever. As much as I
love Nugget, I have wanted a dog of my own for a long time, and now the
time is right.

I'm leaning more towards a mix than a pure-bred, as I've read that they
are often sturdier and healthier. I am going to get my new companion
at the North Shore Animal League here on Long Island (New York), a very
reputable organization. Many people i know have gotten their dogs
there, and have been very satisfied with them.

I'd like to find a medium sized dog, playful but not too hyper,
friendly, etc. What would be a good mix to look for? My aunt has a
retiever/shepherd mix, a good dog, but he doesn't give kisses (LOL!).

I want to provide my dog with the bvest possible life, and therefore, I
need a lot of information. What books, websites, etc. would you all
recommend? What are the best puppy foods? What are the best dog
foods? Best training methods? I've heard that rawhide toys aren't
that great for dogs, is this correct?

Any advice/suggestion will be welcome and greatly appreciated.

Al

"Aticineto" wrote in news:1137158911.110493.199410
@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com:
I'm leaning more towards a mix than a pure-bred, as I've read that they
are often sturdier and healthier.

That's a common belief, but there's little evidence to support it. I
suggest that you not narrow your options by whether a dog appears purebred
or not.

I'd like to find a medium sized dog, playful but not too hyper,
friendly, etc. What would be a good mix to look for?

A good *dog* to look for might be one that's friendly toward and tolerant
of strangers. Probably not the one most frantic for attention or
indifferent to new acquaintances.

I want to provide my dog with the bvest possible life, and therefore, I
need a lot of information. What books, websites, etc. would you all
recommend?

Diane Blackman's www.dogplay.com is a great place to start.

Good luck.

HOWEDY Wiz you crazy sumbitch!

"A Nutso Shepherd Boy" wrote:

EXXXCELLENT! Just as you dote over your DEATHLY ILL dog Dixie.

Thanks for askin' Wiz. Dixie is just fine, thanks. Turns out it was an
undiagnosed tick bite. The vet didn't catch it. I did. 21 days of
antibiotics and she got better.

Sweet of you for askin' tho.

Hey david? Was you there lookin for a REPLACEMENT for your own
dog who when we last chit chatted WAS DYIN of CONSTANT STRESS
INDUCED PSYCHOGENIC SEIZURES and you'd been spendin THOWESANDS
of bucks tryin unsuccessfully to CON-TROLL her seizures with
veterinary unversity neurologists?

No, that wuzn't me Wiz. You must have been off your meds that day. I wuz
looking to get my dog better. I even went as far as reading your web site
to see if there was something I could use.

Sadly, there wasn't. She wasn't dyin' of stress. She was dyin' of a tick
bite!

You never said anything about tick bites, Wiz. You wuz too busy
pontificatin'. You didn't help me at all, Wiz, and I wuz countin' on you.

You let me DHOWEN!

Yeah. Your dog's seizures was caused by jerking and choking IT
EVERY TIME you walked IT on the streets of NYC trying to stop
her from EATIN GARBAGE {) ; ~ )

See what I mean! You let me DHOWEN again!

My dog walks very calmly at my side because I trained her. She doesn't
jerk. And I don't jerk her because she doesn't eat anything on the street.
Not even a nibble. Know why? Because I trained her, you crazy sumbitch!

So here I am breathlessly waitin' for some help from the amazing puppy
wizard, and all he can tell me is quit jerkin' your dog - who doesn't need
to be jerked in the first place.

So I sez to myself: this crazy sumbitch ain't helpin'. Not a bit.

So I moved on. Lost the url to your web site and everything.

I used to think you had something interesting to say despite the fact that
you're one crazy sumbitch. Now I just think yer a crazy sumbitch!

(I'm right y'know!)