So, I'm considering on adopting a dog. (tips/suggestion, please?)

**Shelteez2** · 01-23-2008, 09:53 PM

I too think you should go to a shelter and see what's there.... my first thought when I looked at the breeds you listed were, yappy, yappy, yappy and yappy. lol That is something you should take into consideration if you will be living in an apartment.

**WELOVESPUPPIES** · 01-24-2008, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Shelteez2

I too think you should go to a shelter and see what's there.... my first thought when I looked at the breeds you listed were, yappy, yappy, yappy and yappy. lol That is something you should take into consideration if you will be living in an apartment.

Hey take dat back!! We iz not yappy just very expressive

Luv Chopper.

I would visit the shelter too. You can house train your dog (if it is small enough) to use a potty box too for the times when you might be gone a little longer than normal. Chopper has a box that I just put a puppy pad in and change as needed. Granite I work at home so he has the option to go outside during the day too. As far as needing to go frequently I think that depends on the dog. Chopper is only 3.5 pounds and he could easliy go an 8 hour work day without having to use the bathroom and he has food and water down at all times. The yappiness too in smaller breeds is controllable, you just have to work with them. Chopper is actually very quiet and only barks if someone comes to the door, after a couple barks from all three of mine I say "quiet" and they all stop. Squirt bottles are a good method of teaching them to stop barking. Mine all learned in two or three squirts and Duke is over 7 years old. Maybe you could find a smaller mix that is not demanding in the exercise department since you will have no yard for them to play in, also try petfinder.com when you get serious. Just but the name of the breed you like most and it will list all the mixes with that in it too. They have a lot of great dogs listed on there.

Take into consideration how long your day is where you will be away from the house. All dogs need human companionship and leaving him/her home alone for to great of a time is unfair. Good luck.

**4 Dog Mother** · 01-24-2008, 09:59 AM

I think getting a shelter dog would be a great idea. You can get one that is a little older - like a year that is already house trained. We got Dazzi from a friend who gave her to us when he got divorced and was moving to an apartment. He had got her from the shelter when she was about a year old. She is the best trained dog! She comes when you call, she doesn't leave the yard except for a little wandering and comes back the moment you call her name even in mid bunny chase, was house trained, rides well in the car, and in general is a great dog. We didn't have to deal with chewing, or any of the other things you have to deal with with puppies. I would think in Columbus you would have a great choice of dogs of all ages and types. Good luck in whatever you decide!

**Shelteez2** · 01-24-2008, 11:47 AM

Sorry if I offended anyone with the yappy comment. That wasn't my intention. I have a yappy dog. Shelties are known to be barkers, and my girl is. She too doesn't really bark in the house though, unless someone comes to the door. However, I could not live in an apartment with her, with noise above, below and beside us. I've been in some apartments, where when the neighbors door was knocked on it sounded like it was right outside. I just wanted her to keep that under consideration. Of course most all dogs bark, and there are exceptions to every rule.

**WELOVESPUPPIES** · 01-24-2008, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Shelteez2

Sorry if I offended anyone with the yappy comment. That wasn't my intention. I have a yappy dog. Shelties are known to be barkers, and my girl is. She too doesn't really bark in the house though, unless someone comes to the door. However, I could not live in an apartment with her, with noise above, below and beside us. I've been in some apartments, where when the neighbors door was knocked on it sounded like it was right outside. I just wanted her to keep that under consideration. Of course most all dogs bark, and there are exceptions to every rule.

None taken

**Pam** · 01-25-2008, 06:18 AM

Well, I know a standard poodle is probably larger than you were looking for but I just had to put in my own personal plug for them. My Bella only barks if Ripley gets her started

and, though she does love racing through the yard and playing fetch, she does not demand lots of daily exercise. She is quite happy to just lay around during the day. Of course the downside is the grooming requirement.

I would like to suggest a shelter dog but, even better than that, how about a dog who has been fostered? Then you get the added bonus of knowing in advance how the dog behaves in a home environment (that would help you evaluate the "quiet" factor). Also many are housebroken or the foster mom or dad is working on that. Just a thought.

**robinh** · 01-25-2008, 07:27 AM

They can be barkie. My two will bark at the wind blowing. Max, my 12 yr old loves to hear himself bark at nothing. And they do have a large bark for such small dogs. But as with every other breed this is not necessarily typical.

Another suggestion would be to check out rescue organizations. There are rescues for just about every breed of dog. I've done rescue for yorkies and doxies. These are mostly adult dogs who need a loving home. And being rescues, they are so grateful to find a loving home.

**bckrazy** · 01-25-2008, 10:26 AM

I agree with browsing Petfinder/shelters, and finding the dog that fits YOU, rather than a breed... since the breeds you listed really have nothing in common except size. C:

I can say that Corgis are awesome dogs, and coming home to one definitely cheers you up! They are clowny, quirky, happy, sassy, playful little balls of sunshine. They are also demanding. They need daily exercise and mental stimulation. Fozzie almost never barks, but I feel that barking is more of a training issue than anything. They need to be with their people, as much as possible. What is your schedule like? I have 5 classes... but I still have plenty of time to spend with my dogs. It mostly depends on how you manage your time, and how dedicated you are. Living in an apartment shouldn't be a problem, as long as you have somewhere nearby where your pup can get daily off-leash exercise, and as long as you go on a few walks a day.