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AJarOfFlies

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Hi everyone!

I have never owned a dog and I'm doing some research and asking questions to make sure that I'm best prepared for when I decide to. It's nice to meet you all!
 
Welcome to the forum - I hope we can help. What sort of breed/type/age are you thinking of?
 
JudyN said:
Welcome to the forum - I hope we can help. What sort of breed/type/age are you thinking of?
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At the moment I'd like a GSD, but I'm a first time owner and therefore my focus is getting loads of dog related experience before I take that step. My lifestyle would suit a GSD, but my inexperience would not!
 
Hello and welcome. How sensible of you to do some research before you commit to dog ownership - it'll be time well spent.
 
Hi and welcome from me too:)
 
Hemlock said:
Hello and welcome. How sensible of you to do some research before you commit to dog ownership - it'll be time well spent.
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Thank you very much! I don't want to impulsively get a dog that I cannot take care of, and I know that GSDs come with challenges and I want to try and make these challenges as manageable as possible!
 
A major ingredient to successful partnership with an animal is one’s stability and settled situation. You need to ask yourself some searching questions. Would you be able to be ‘on tap’ as would a parent be for a child? There’d be sleepless nights. I admire that you’re taking the matter of dog adoption seriously. I’m not suggesting that you take on a rescue but it may be a good idea to ask a rescue centre what would a potential adopter need in order to take on a dog. We’ve all come across those who thought it would be a ‘nice idea’ to take on a dog when they had time on their hands during the pandemic. It came as a shock when they could no longer work from home or had to go back to college. Rescue centres are overwhelmed due to such initial thoughtlessness/selfishness. I would pull no punches - I’d rather you thought twice before taking such a serious step.
 
RGC said:
A major ingredient to successful partnership with an animal is one’s stability and settled situation. You need to ask yourself some searching questions. Would you be able to be ‘on tap’ as would a parent be for a child? There’d be sleepless nights. I admire that you’re taking the matter of dog adoption seriously. I’m not suggesting that you take on a rescue but it may be a good idea to ask a rescue centre what would a potential adopter need in order to take on a dog. We’ve all come across those who thought it would be a ‘nice idea’ to take on a dog when they had time on their hands during the pandemic. It came as a shock when they could no longer work from home or had to go back to college. Rescue centres are overwhelmed due to such initial thoughtlessness/selfishness. I would pull no punches - I’d rather you thought twice before taking such a serious step.
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I completely understand your concern and I want to reassure you that I won't be getting a dog any time soon - I'm making the preparations and speaking to a lot of people, arranging volunteering and all that because I really don't want to go into this with any ignorance or impulsiveness. I don't see a dog as a toy or a prop or a salve for boredom - I don't want to do what people did over lockdown. I went from being terrified of dogs to loving them, and I really want to keep involving myself in this world!

As for sleepless nights and the interruptions to life that can occur, I am more than ready and willing to take that on!

My next step will be finding a local home or shelter to speak to and ask questions. Are there any good, important questions that I should be asking?
 
Hello and welcome! Interesting username! ;)

At a rescue centre, they should ask about your circumstances and experience, and match that and you to a suitable dog. I'd make a point of stating that this will be your first dog so you'll get matched properly. It sounds as though you're being sensible and seeking advice, which is great as others have said :).
 
arealhuman said:
Hello and welcome! Interesting username! ;)

At a rescue centre, they should ask about your circumstances and experience, and match that and you to a suitable dog. I'd make a point of stating that this will be your first dog so you'll get matched properly. It sounds as though you're being sensible and seeking advice, which is great as others have said :).
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Haha thank you!

Thank you for the info - I'm glad they'll place me appropriately as I really want to learn from the ground floor. Every day is a school day as far as dogs are concerned it seems - especially for someone like me, who has had probably an hour around dogs total my entire life!
 
You could foster for gsd rescue, or transport. As others have said, tell them your exp comfort level. What was it that attracked you to that breed? Just like collies, gsd require a great deal of devotion. I'm glad you are thinking things through. How about being a puppy raiser for the blind? Good tips for you & help for those needing service dogs.
 
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