BassThumbAddict Posted September 15, 2014 Posted September 15, 2014 I am wanting to surprise my girlfriend with a dog on our anniversary. We will be living in a apartment for another 7 months, so the dog will be in a crate. I took a couple of quizzes and asked many people and they are all leading towards a blue heeler for its personality type. Everyone says that this dog will be perfect for me. The only down side is the 7 months in the apartment. Our new house will have a yard so it will be fine once we get there, but will it be bad for the dog until then. Many websites tell me that it is not a good idea to have a blue heeler in an apartment. So i'm asking you guys Would you risk it for 7 months? If not, what breed would you recommend for me? All input is appreciated. Quote
tipptruck1 Posted September 15, 2014 Posted September 15, 2014 Any active dog breed is a bad idea in a apartment. I am just not sure how you would do this. With out a making the old lady mad. You could give her a IOU or some thing like a coupon. It could say I owe you one puppy, or vaild for one free puppy. Make sure it say not valid in till x/xx/2015 If I was in your shoes. Just go out and buy the normal gifts. Once you have the house. Then surprise her with the dog. 2 Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted September 15, 2014 Super User Posted September 15, 2014 If I was in your shoes. Just go out and buy the normal gifts. Once you have the house. Then surprise her with the dog. This! Jeff 4 Quote
Super User Raul Posted September 15, 2014 Super User Posted September 15, 2014 Dogs are what you make of them, not only all my life I have owned dogs, I' ve had up to 15 at one time for many years and all were crate broken, not even a woof until it was their time to go out. My rottie spent up to 22 hours of the day when for over a year I was unable to offer her more "freedom" , she didn't t seem to care much as long as I gave her a really nice stroll twice a day. So I do not agree with those websites. Quote
Super User retiredbosn Posted September 16, 2014 Super User Posted September 16, 2014 As long as you put inn the time exercising the dog and training it, you'll be fine. Heelers are high energy and just having a fenced in yard won't provide the stimulation the dog will require. The higher the intelligence/energy equates to more of a commitment from you as an owner regarding exercise and training. 2 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted September 16, 2014 Global Moderator Posted September 16, 2014 My wife and I waited until we bought a house to get a dog. I'm not a fan of putting a dog in a crate, I feel guilty and hate it probably more than my dog does. I've always had high energy dogs like labs and retrievers though, I'm sure other breeds might not care. In my experience, high energy dogs will find negative ways to spend their energy if not allowed to run and play, like chewing and destroying shoes and furniture. You can give them toys and rawhides, which will help, but it only takes one time of them being bored before you come home and the couch is torn apart or the carpet is ripped up everywhere. If you decide you can't wait, just plan on taking the dog on long walks and playing with it a lot. I take our Golden into the field behind our house at least twice a day, regardless of weather, and throw a tennis ball for her until she stops bringing the ball back to me so I know she's content and burnt up a good amount of energy. On top of that she gets to go on frequent walks and I wouldn't go fishing without her. 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted September 16, 2014 Super User Posted September 16, 2014 Any active dog breed is a bad idea in a apartment. I am just not sure how you would do this. With out a making the old lady mad. You could give her a IOU or some thing like a coupon. It could say I owe you one puppy, or vaild for one free puppy. Make sure it say not valid in till x/xx/2015 If I was in your shoes. Just go out and buy the normal gifts. Once you have the house. Then surprise her with the dog. Who'd have thought???? Romance advice from tipptruck Quote
tipptruck1 Posted September 16, 2014 Posted September 16, 2014 You never know what will come form my mouth. Just trying to save the guy a headache. 1 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted September 16, 2014 Super User Posted September 16, 2014 My wife and I waited until we bought a house to get a dog. I'm not a fan of putting a dog in a crate, I feel guilty and hate it probably more than my dog does. I've always had high energy dogs like labs and retrievers though, I'm sure other breeds might not care. In my experience, high energy dogs will find negative ways to spend their energy if not allowed to run and play, like chewing and destroying shoes and furniture. You can give them toys and rawhides, which will help, but it only takes one time of them being bored before you come home and the couch is torn apart or the carpet is ripped up everywhere. If you decide you can't wait, just plan on taking the dog on long walks and playing with it a lot. I take our Golden into the field behind our house at least twice a day, regardless of weather, and throw a tennis ball for her until she stops bringing the ball back to me so I know she's content and burnt up a good amount of energy. On top of that she gets to go on frequent walks and I wouldn't go fishing without her. oddly enough, dogs do not mind a crate. so long as you get them used to it while they are young. as they get old, they may associate it with a punishment or timeout so to speak. dogs (though long time domesticated) come from a history of "den" animals. that crate that you see as torture is actually a very comfortable and relaxed space for a dog, almost like a child's own personal bedroom. i have always crate trained every dog i've owned. i come to find that after a short period of putting them in there, you will come to find they go in there on their own. my old jack russell would immediately run into his crate the moment i picked up my car keys, not a single word would need to be spoken! my dog now is some sort of mini golden retriever mutt and i will find him just lounging in his crate with the door wide open sometimes. not to mention OP, your girlfriend will not be happy if her stuff gets chewed or torn up. you can guarantee that will not happen by crate training the dog. and retiredbosn is on point with his reply.... any dog can truly survive in an apartment setting, it solely depends on how much you exercise and engage the dog. and as he stated, simply having a yard will not do the trick. socializing and walking the neighborhood or throwing a ball around go a long ways in your furry friend's eyes.... either way good luck and understand the commitment, as hard as it may be at times, i've found nothing more rewarding/loyal/entertaining than my dog! Quote
Super User Sam Posted September 16, 2014 Super User Posted September 16, 2014 I would wait until I have a fenced yard. It is not fair to that beautiful puppy to be crowed in a crate all day. 1 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted September 17, 2014 Super User Posted September 17, 2014 ^^^ it does help to be informed on the topic..... a fenced yard is not going to provide the exercise and socialization that a dog needs to survive in a house. secondly, those who think crating a dog is torture should really read up on the subject or maybe even discuss with dog owners who crate their pups. but why take my word for it when you can refer to the Humane Society's thoughts on the matter: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/crate_training.html Quote
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