New dog?

[JSadler]

We have an Australian Shepherd/Red Heeler mix. Really good family dogs - amazing with children, especially really small children.

 

[wvuwhat]

I got my dog when I was between my Sophomore and Junior years in college, taking Summer session. I too had class for 5-6 hours a day.

I left him in a cage while I was away, but had a neighbor who loved dogs that would take him out, or come over and eat my food and watch my t.v. while letting the pup out of the cage.

It seemed to work out well. And, he's turned into a great dog.

After that Summer my girlfriend returned to school in the Fall and between our schedules, we could usually spend most of the time with him, except for a few 2-3 hour gaps when I was out with her. By Winter time he was out of the cage and stayed in the bedroom. And, by the next Summer he was a "free-range" dog.

But, if you've got a backyard you've got a leg-up on me, because I was stuck in an apartment at the time.

Either way, go for it.

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I don't believe he was considering a Pit Bull and anyone who is better know what they are getting into because a family dog they are not. A Border Collie is a good choice, however they do require a lot of training and have an extremely high energy level. A German Shepard is a good choice and they are fairly easy to care for and are very loyal, however they also must be well trained and come from good stock or they can be aggressive towards strangers.

If I was choosing a large dog right now I'd totally look into a Golden Doodle. My neighbors have one and he is wonderful. Easy going, playful, great with kids and pretty low maintenance as far as grooming goes. A watch dog he is not...lol... but a great companion and a conversation piece for sure.

I've heard great things about that cross-breed. But, I went with an AKC Golden Retriever and am happy I went with the pure breed.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I've heard great things about that cross-breed. But, I went with an AKC Golden Retriever and am happy I went with the pure breed.

My parents have had a Golden for years and he is wonderful. Good choice and the only reason I would go with a Golden Doodle is because they are a little easier to keep up as far as grooming goes.

 

[Grey Beard]

Instead of a dog or cat, get an horse. Your old one must be near flogged to death by now.

KGB

 

[JBazz]

Why the cage? If you have a fenced yard why not put in a dog door? Then the dog can do what he wants while you're at class. A dog should not be crated all day. Being gone from 8-2 is not all that long to leave a dog around the house, but is too long to leave him crated.

Crate training can be valuable when he is a puppy, but only for limited amounts of time and while following a training program.

I had a dog door in my home. I came home to a trail of mud 3 ft wide going from my dog door to my front door, right across the couch. Until then, I had no idea my dog was compulsively going from my gate to my front door when I went to work.

To the OP, dogs are social creatures. You really should wait until you are out of school and have a stable job. Ideally, dogs should bond with their owners until death. But many things are not ideal, so if you gotta have a dog then enjoy. Maybe think about getting an older dog as they are lower energy. And definitely not a working breed like border collies.

 

[iJohnHenry]

Instead of a dog or cat, get an horse. Your old one must be near flogged to death by now.

KGB

I suspect he wants this breed.

 

[velocityg4]

The issue with leaving it outside is two fold. It can likely get away (digging under the fence) and/or if leashed it can't get away from other animals (coyotes etc...). Also, the landlord doesn't want animals left alone outside. So yeah. I've heard that some people leave the animals caged, but only after its been established that it's a positive thing and routine.

But I agree with you, which is why I'm on the fence.

If you cannot provide an environment that will make your dog safe and happy then you should wait until your situation has changed. It sounds quite cruel to keep an animal caged up like that for six or more hours a day. Dogs are far too intelligent and active for that.

It's not just about your wants. It's about the wants and needs of the animal as well. I could not imagine buying a dog or a cat just to leave it locked up all the time.

If the dog is well trained and gets enough attention while you are home it will not tear up the yard, dig under the fence and escape and so forth. If it is doing any of these things than you have not done your job as the dogs master correctly. A large dog in a backyard is not likely to be bothered by coyotes but still it is better to be free with a small risk of death than locked up and safe. The last part is if the landlord does not want the dog left outside while you are gone then that is the end of the discussion. If you cannot change the landlord's mind than wait until you get a new place.

Heck I don't know where you live. But since you mention coyotes I'm guessing it is in a rural area or the outskirts of suburbia. In which case you can probably buy a house with an FHA loan on a 15 year mortgage and have payments for half that of your rental.

 

[wvuwhat]

My parents have had a Golden for years and he is wonderful. Good choice and the only reason I would go with a Golden Doodle is because they are a little easier to keep up as far as grooming goes.

I get him a Summer cut every six months. In March and August. He likes going to the place to get it done and seems much happier with his shorter hair. And, it really really really cuts down on the grooming/shedding.

 

[kettlecorn]

I think you should wait until your situation is more stable. Always wanted a big dog in college but really, during that age range, there's too much instability. Classes (which change always), coming and going friends, jobs, apt changes, etc. IDK about you but for me, a dog is a companion and not something I would give up if I had to move or get a job someplace else. At least not my current dog.

Just wait until you're ready and it'll be more rewarding to have one you can spend lots of time with. Believe it or not, dogs are smart as hell and they know a lot of things I would've never thought a dog can comprehend. Being in a cage or even in an apt alone sucks.

 

[Jb07]

Just get a fish.
Feed 'em once or twice a day and clean the bowl once a week and you're good. I recommend bettas.

 

[eric/]

If you cannot provide an environment that will make your dog safe and happy then you should wait until your situation has changed. It sounds quite cruel to keep an animal caged up like that for six or more hours a day. Dogs are far too intelligent and active for that.

It's not just about your wants. It's about the wants and needs of the animal as well. I could not imagine buying a dog or a cat just to leave it locked up all the time.

If the dog is well trained and gets enough attention while you are home it will not tear up the yard, dig under the fence and escape and so forth. If it is doing any of these things than you have not done your job as the dogs master correctly. A large dog in a backyard is not likely to be bothered by coyotes but still it is better to be free with a small risk of death than locked up and safe. The last part is if the landlord does not want the dog left outside while you are gone then that is the end of the discussion. If you cannot change the landlord's mind than wait until you get a new place.

Heck I don't know where you live. But since you mention coyotes I'm guessing it is in a rural area or the outskirts of suburbia. In which case you can probably buy a house with an FHA loan on a 15 year mortgage and have payments for half that of your rental.

Thanks. Where I live is a college town so any house is want to buy is gonna be insanely
Expensive.