[UnhingedHick]

So I really want to get myself a dog, i have the spear money for care etc, yet money is still tight im never sure if i will have to move house, or if i can stay where i live now, yet this is always the circumstance. Thing keep getting put off to a stupid degree and my family are very iffy about it too. I just wandered what other people thought on this matter just as a gently nudge of help..

- Scott

[~Christina]

If you can provide a loving home for a dog by all means, Run to your local pound/spca/shelter , Don't be in a rush... Most dogs pick there human friends, I know mine did.

[Vibe]

One incident can run you a pretty high vet bill. I wouldn't get a dog unless I had some money saved up in case of emergency. I would get at least a couple $k in buffer room then go for it.

[Nammu]

You can check around your area and see if any organizations have dog fostering. I used to foster and it's so rewarding. Of course I fell in love with nearly all pets that crossed the door still but their pics were up on the web so a good permanent home would be found for them. It was usually the very young or a special needs cases that need fostering, the center covered all health care needs and food. This might be a way for you to see if you want to take the plunge and help dogs in the mean time.

[yellowted]

fostering is a great way to have the love and company of a dog without the money worries or vet bills. also if you do need to move the place you foster for will take the dog back and refoster it elsewhere if need be. i foster house rabbits this way, though i have taken time out from it at present till my house is adapted later this year. the charity was very understanding about my time out and were just so grateful for the time i did foster .

[growlycat]

How about being a foster for a shelter dog to see what it is like? That way, if you have to move, you can put fostering on hold.

Dogs are great but they are very very very expnsive and time consuming. I babysat a coworkers dog for the weekend--ouch what a handful!! Makes me want an older, slower dog!! try before ya buy!!!

[UnhingedHick]

Hey-yo, thanks for all the great replies. And o those who mentioned fostering it had crossed my mind, Th only thing is i want to get a border collie and i cant to teach it frisbee and agility and oother dog sport... This would be a lot more complicated with a foster dog that i wouldn't be able to keep, unfortunately.

[Vibe]

Agility can be very expensive, but frisbee is a relatively cheap choice in dog sports.

Fostering is good if you like solving problems, want experience with a variety of doggy issues, have the means to do it, and wish to do a good deed. I personally think it's a wonderful experience, but realize that many of these dogs are severely lacking in manners. That can include things like going to the bathroom in the house and destructive chewing, so it can cost money.

The plus side is that you learn a lot from it and are far better prepared to own your own dog. You get to 'shop around' and own various different dogs, which can ensure that you eventually pick a dog that you connect well with. You can also experiment with doggy sports with fosters.

[ThisWayOut]

dogs can be hugely rewarding (and make you want to pull you hair out at the same time). I have 4 currently. I agree that you need some means to pay for vet bills when they arise (and they almost always do outside of the planned-for annual vet expenses), but I would not go so far as to say you need a few grand in savings before you start.
i agree, fostering ccan be a great way to get your feet wet, especially if you want a border collie. they are super-high maintenance dogs that need constant jobs and interaction to keep them from getting bored and destructive. if you have the means to do this, by all means get the dog you are dreaming of. they are super-intelligent and will get themselves into trouble when they are bored... I have a silky terror who is bored very easily and drives us nuts because he is not always getting the activity he needs. foster agencies will also provide help with training techniques and problem-solving for the dogs they place with you. many will also allow you to adopt the dog if the fit is right.
I'm sorry if you have experience with dogs already and we are making it seem like you have never had any. I have had dogs since I was 5, but only recently had more rewarding experiences (especially running a pack). I was incredibly lucky with most of the dogs I have had in my life, and only had one with major behavioral issues that I could do nothing about (brain trauma from previous abuse caused a lot of unexpected aggression 4 years after I took her home). Also, keep in mind that working with someone else's dog (sitting for a friend) is very different than having your own. They build relationships and get into routines much like we do. Make sure to match the dog you get (or take in to foster) with your lifestyle. Some (individual) dogs do better with certain lifestyles than others. I try to pick dogs that have a moderate energy level and a calm demeanor because I don't want to deal with constant activity ad engagement with my dogs. I like to go for a few long hikes a week or every few weeks, but nothing too strenuous daily. A typical border collie would not be my ideal dog. even my silky is not my ideal dog as he needs more constant activity than I provide... we all suffer for it, but we are both a work in progress, so when I'm feeling better, he is more balanced because we do more both individually and as a pack... we are also working on his cat-hunting skills (namely squashing it before he escalates out of control)...
ok. I'm rambling. good luck!!

[UnhingedHick]

Originally Posted by MdngtRain

dogs can be hugely rewarding (and make you want to pull you hair out at the same time). I have 4 currently. I agree that you need some means to pay for vet bills when they arise (and they almost always do outside of the planned-for annual vet expenses), but I would not go so far as to say you need a few grand in savings before you start.
i agree, fostering ccan be a great way to get your feet wet, especially if you want a border collie. they are super-high maintenance dogs that need constant jobs and interaction to keep them from getting bored and destructive. if you have the means to do this, by all means get the dog you are dreaming of. they are super-intelligent and will get themselves into trouble when they are bored... I have a silky terror who is bored very easily and drives us nuts because he is not always getting the activity he needs. foster agencies will also provide help with training techniques and problem-solving for the dogs they place with you. many will also allow you to adopt the dog if the fit is right.
I'm sorry if you have experience with dogs already and we are making it seem like you have never had any. I have had dogs since I was 5, but only recently had more rewarding experiences (especially running a pack). I was incredibly lucky with most of the dogs I have had in my life, and only had one with major behavioral issues that I could do nothing about (brain trauma from previous abuse caused a lot of unexpected aggression 4 years after I took her home). Also, keep in mind that working with someone else's dog (sitting for a friend) is very different than having your own. They build relationships and get into routines much like we do. Make sure to match the dog you get (or take in to foster) with your lifestyle. Some (individual) dogs do better with certain lifestyles than others. I try to pick dogs that have a moderate energy level and a calm demeanor because I don't want to deal with constant activity ad engagement with my dogs. I like to go for a few long hikes a week or every few weeks, but nothing too strenuous daily. A typical border collie would not be my ideal dog. even my silky is not my ideal dog as he needs more constant activity than I provide... we all suffer for it, but we are both a work in progress, so when I'm feeling better, he is more balanced because we do more both individually and as a pack... we are also working on his cat-hunting skills (namely squashing it before he escalates out of control)...
ok. I'm rambling. good luck!!

Aha it's okay, i have had great experience with dog, i've only ever owned one though she was a springer spaniel but we didn't get on. I have looked after border collies before, and because of how i am i think border collie is the best suited breed also there so beautiful on top of that. I want to be active and i do have the time and effort to put in on it. Agility and frisbee can be great to keep them stimulated along with long walks, i live out in the sticks so its okay as my yard backs on to unused fields. As for the person below, thanks for the advice but agility is pretty cheep, i meant i'd teach it agility not take it to agility classes theres lots of crazy but safe ways to make agility corse's for your dog in your yard or house. Thanks everyone for all the answers