Tell me about dog ownership

[Anonymous]

We always had dogs growing up, but I haven't had one as an adult. Tell me about costs, time commitment, etc. I am trying to figure out where a dog would fit into my routine and budget. I don't want to commit unless I can be sure that I can be a responsible and reliable owner. I am looking at adopting a Rottweiler or Rottie mix, most likely at least a year or two old, but would be open to an older (7+) dog depending on advice given here. How much do you spend on basic shots/vet care yearly? How much does food cost? Obviously, I would be planning to walk the dog about 60 minutes per day (am thinking longer 45 minute walk in the am and a 15 minute walk in pm). I am planning to crate train, as our happiest dogs growing up were crate trained. I would be gone most of the day (but would either come by for a short mid-day walk or would hire a dog walker for days I cannot do it), and dog would have time out of the crate in the morning as I get ready and in the evenings when I am cooking, cleaning, etc. I am childless, but share a house with friends who have elementary-aged kids, cats, and rats. My housemates would be open to my getting a dog. the yard is not currently fenced in. Should I look into fencing at least part so that the dog can play outside on nicer days? Basically, just help me think this all through.

[Anonymous]

Rottweilers and children?

[Anonymous]

Whoa, I think it's fine and good to have a crate as a safe place for the dog to go, but I would strongly advise against keeping your dog in a crate all day. So after four or five hours in a crate you want to only give the dog 15 minutes outside? I would not adopt out a dog to you.

I get up at 6am, walk the dog from half past six to 7:30, then spend a few minutes saying goodbye and packing my work bag before leaving. When I get home after work, the dog gets another hour-long walk.

I make all her food. It takes about an hour - chicken, broccoli, rice and carrots, and I make a months worth at a time. Cost is minimal. $10?

[Anonymous]

I think adopting a dog who is at least a year is wise. Easier to house train. I did walk my dog 1/2 hour in the mornings and up to an hour at night. A tired dog is a happy dog.

I intended to crate as well, but my one year old adopted dog ever took to it, and was very happy to lay on a sofa all day in the sunshine, looking out the window. I got lucky, she wasn't destructive and didn't bark out the window.

I spent very little at the vet most of my dogs life. It gets expensive at end of life care. Do you know how you generally want to approach that? I don't believe in spending thousands of dollars to keep a pet alive, bit many do. There is let insurance available.

Buy a higher quality dog food. Invest in an obedience class. Board your dog early if you plan on boarding for vacations, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think adopting a dog who is at least a year is wise. Easier to house train. I did walk my dog 1/2 hour in the mornings and up to an hour at night. A tired dog is a happy dog.

I intended to crate as well, but my one year old adopted dog ever took to it, and was very happy to lay on a sofa all day in the sunshine, looking out the window. I got lucky, she wasn't destructive and didn't bark out the window.

I spent very little at the vet most of my dogs life. It gets expensive at end of life care. Do you know how you generally want to approach that? I don't believe in spending thousands of dollars to keep a pet alive, bit many do. There is let insurance available.

Buy a higher quality dog food. Invest in an obedience class. Board your dog early if you plan on boarding for vacations, etc.

Oh. I did two periods of exercise for my dog each day (the walking), but let her out more often to wet, etc. if you are planning to crate most of the time, like Pp said I also don't think that's a great idea. I wouldn't crate while you are home at all.

[Anonymous]

I think you'd need to find a dog that you know is child and cat friendly, and just get whatever breed that dog happens to be.

It sounds like it would spend too much time in a crate. You'd probably need to walk it more than 15 min at night if you want to get any sleep--mine gets into stuff at night if we dont' wear her out before bed. If you plan to crate it at night, then that is 16+ hours in a crate, which is way too much.

As for money, yes they are expensive. Shots visits are a couple hundred, then any time they get sick or eat something weird you have to take them in. Emergency vets are very expensive. I have a 40 lb dog and her flea/tick medicine costs $59 for three doses. Dogs also need a heart worm pill every month.

Food is variable in price, from crap you can get at the grocery store to grain-free gourmet food. The food we buy is $40 for 15 lbs.

You will also have to train the dog, so factor in obedience classes, which run about $125. Dog walkers cost $20-25/day, depending on length of visit.

If you travel you will need to board the dog or hire a dog sitter. When we go away we have someone come to the house and it costs $70 for the dog and cat per day (three walks).

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I should have been more clear about the crate thing. I work mornings and afternoons at two different jobs, so I would be planning time in between to let the dog out for 30 minutes or so, but may not have time for a proper walk during that break. But the dog would be in the crate from about 8-12, then a break, then 12:30/1-6 or so, then out with me in the evening until I go to bed, and at night I wouldn't lock the dog in the crate, but he/she would need to stay in my room.

This is why I was thinking that a partially fenced in yard might be a good idea. that way the dog could have some outdoor time for either the morning or afternoon blocks on days when temperatures are nice enough.

I can switch the longer walk to evenings and do more like 30 in the morning and 45 at night. Does that sound more reasonable? And as I said, would probably do playtime mid-day, but not necessarily a walk.

Thanks for the thoughts--especially those who got into related costs--keep it coming!

[Anonymous]

We adopted a 3 year old dog. He was house trained and will not use a crate, I suspect he was never crate-trained. He is free to roam our house when we aren't home. Cost so far has been around $400 for various vet visits, shots, and fees. We have had him about 8 months.

If you have children, I would be uncomfortable with an aggressive breed. You have no idea what the previous owner was like. I wouldn't be fearful for my own children but rather their friends that come over.

I walk him 3 times a day. He spends most of his time playing with the kids in the afternoon and on weekends. He is an inside dog.

[Anonymous]

Fences are expensive and you shouldn't leave a dog in the yard when you aren't home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We adopted a 3 year old dog. He was house trained and will not use a crate, I suspect he was never crate-trained. He is free to roam our house when we aren't home. Cost so far has been around $400 for various vet visits, shots, and fees. We have had him about 8 months.

If you have children, I would be uncomfortable with an aggressive breed. You have no idea what the previous owner was like. I wouldn't be fearful for my own children but rather their friends that come over.

I walk him 3 times a day. He spends most of his time playing with the kids in the afternoon and on weekends. He is an inside dog.

+1. How about a non-aggressive breed, OP?

[Anonymous]

Why in the world are you contemplating Rottweilers or even a mix with that in if you live with young kids. Recipe for an ER visit, lawsuit or worse.

[Anonymous]

I crate my dog when were at work 3 days a week. My dog has been crated since she was a puppy and quite often goes in there when she wants to escape the kids. Crating was highly encouraged by the adoption agency (Lost Dog) I also run most mornings with her 3-6 miles so she is exhausted. It is especially important to crate older adopted dogs because they often come with a lot of issues and cannot be trusted alone. We have a dog walker that comes daily costing us $300\mo. My dog has bad food allergies so that cost a lot of money getting DX and her food runs us $110/mo.

We did do training with her and it cost $1000. She now follows commands with military precision. I don't even have to leash her. She heels to my left and will jot break command unless told to. Having a trained dog has been a complete joy.

[Anonymous]

I would wait until you have a different housing situation. It sounds like there is a lot going on, and it can be tough to bring a dog into a roommate situation where other people have different ideas about dog behavior, may resent the dog (even if they think they won't), etc.

[Anonymous]

I'll answer your question about cost:

They are expensive.

Food runs around $75 a month (two dogs). Misc. treats and toys: Maybe another $25 a month.
Well-dog visits to vet (i.e. annual checkup, vaccinations) are about $300 each.
We just had to take the dog to the vet for a hot spot on her skin -- $150. Granted, she hadn't seen the vet for illness in three years, but the last time she went it was $950 including X-Rays to figure out if she had a bowel obstruction. Insurance reimbursed SOME of that, but not all.
Insurance premium: $360 a year. For the older dog (6) it is $450 a year.
Grooming: $300 per dog annually.
Cost of a (cheap) dog sitter when we travel to places where dogs aren't permitted: $50 a night. So, if we go away for 10 days, tack another $500 onto the cost of vacation.

So there's a rough estimate of costs while they are healthy.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend with a Rotweiller that they got as a young puppy and it grew up in the house with two poodles. That dog is scary looking but thinks she's a damn lap dog now thanks to her 'siblings'. I think it would be a fine dog for a family presuming you get it as a puppy and comes from well tempered parents.