I keep posting about this in the off-topic thread, but then Elvis and Maj post some shite and it gets lost. (knob-heads) Con has given me a few sites to look at. And they were helpful. I've also been in touch with dogstrust.ie and rang 2 vets. The same recurring problem kept popping up about leaving the dog on its own too long. Jockser has dogs and said they're ok for a few hours. Others I've talked to say the same but I've been on doggie sites (no jokes please) and they say 4 hours is the most you can leave them. I'm fcukin totally confused at this stage, so we rang a dog-walker. Price seems a bit steep in the long run. It's only a tenner a day, which seems fair, but when you add it up, its maybe more than I can afford. As a last resort, I rang my landlord in work today and he said its no problem bringing him with me to work. I'm self-employed so it finally looks like I have a solution. We've a big premises and a fenced yard. So now I just have a few wee problems to ask about, if anyone can advise please. 1) Barking in the apartment might get me in trouble. Any tips on how to train the dog not to do this too much? Or any breed which might bark less? 2) Ideally we want a puppy rather than an older dog which might die after a few years. I know its nicer to get an older dog and save him from a rescue centre, but I lost a dog to old age in my parents place and I dont want to go through that again. Question is this........ Is it possible to train a small dog as a pup, to use a litter box? Or would i be better training him to go outside? 3) What are my expenses going to be? Some sites say thousands per year on vets, but others say a few hundred per year? I cant figure the big gap in costs. A few hundred per year is fine. But i couldnt afford "thousands". 4) We do have a back garden but its not fenced in. Would a wee dog be ok with not being able to access a garden outside of my working hours?
We just got a new puppy..a king Charles..the only time he barks is if he hears something at night when the lights are off..not anything just movements in the house like walking down stairs or something..so far he's been easy at training but has a few accidents at night because he's still pretty young..as for vets it woul be a good idea to insure the dog because we know out breeds can have heart problems but other than that they are full of love for us and our little lad who to be honest gets him in headlocks and stuff but he has to get used to the fact he shouldn't do that because he's only 2 and doesn't understand..hope that helps you a little Gary
Cheers Ben. Yeah thats pretty re-assuring mate. I'd be grand with the odd bark now and then during the night. Cant see that causing a problem, once its not constant. How much is the insurance???
Not being smart Ronan, but why bother? Cant see myself giving the government any more money than i have to. So far we're maybe looking at a maltese dog. He wont have the chance to bite anyone so I'm probably not gonna pay a licence fee. I'll pay everything necessary for the dog's health and stuff but not paying any fee to the government.
Because a dog warden can take the dog off you if you dont have a licencse.They can even come into your home and take him. Its only 20 euro a year.I see where your coming from, and for years i didnt get the dog one, But the ****ers started to dry around my area quiet alot so i wasnt going to risk it for 13 euro, that was the price back then.
Allianz is the best deal..because of the breed ours is about 12-15 euro a month..something like that..covers major surgery and loads of other things just not check ups..check out their site www.allianz.ie/Pet-Insurance/
Jesus Christ. That's ridiculous. Fair nuff, I'll think it over, but still I reckon i'll leave it until they ask a question. Surely they wont take a dog off its owner without prior warning? The fcuk is wrong with them? Give an animal a home and they punish you.
Thanks Ben. I did the online quote. 250 euro per year. Thats probably more than i was expecting but better to find these things out now rather than later. Whats yer average spend on the pup on food per week? You said a king charles pup. Ours would be smaller, so it would give me a guide.
Yeah its Pretty Shit.My auld lad told me, but i didnt believe him, until i went online and read the county Council website where it has all the details. Whats pisses me off is that it was €12.70 last year, and now its over 20 euro.How they can Justify Taxing the poor dogs i havent a clue. In case you think im winding you up here you go. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/environment/animal_welfare_and_control/control_of_dogs.html
http://img.izismile.com/img/img4/20110802/640/cats_and_dogs_wearing_bikinis_640_01.jpg perfect dog for ya or http://img.izismile.com/img/img4/20111205/640/dogs_chewing_things_640_03.jpg
Ah no i believe you. I just dont intend paying it until I have to. Its a ridiculous tax. So lets say you go to a dog pound (DSPCA) and you take a dog off them, you're effectively lowering the cost of running a state sponsored company arent you? And they thank you by taxing you. Even though you're already paying VAT on all the goods you purchase for the dog, and VAT on the Vets bills, and on yer animals health insurance. Total bollix.
haha, jesus. Poor things. Anyone who puts clothes on a dog should be smacked. Good to see you're busy at work though Maj.
Have a jack russell about 6 years now never bothered with pet ins. prob. spent about 300 on vet mainly on vacinations, but some breeds are more prone to illness than others. Got licence first year never bothered after that got reminders but just ignored them. Something else you might bear in mind wether the dog sheds its hair jack russells do and although mine is out back mostly it does be everywhere. I spend about €10 every 2-3 weeks on food mixture of wet and dry.
ah thats grand so. So basically once I pay the health insurance it's cheap enough after that? Thanks again Ben. I hope your wee lad is doing well
Yeah thats a good shout alright. We're edging towards getting a Maltese. I was never a fan of tiny dogs (border collie fan myself) but needs must and all that. From what i read, the maltese arent bad shedders. A lot of folk give them "the puppy cut" instead of letting the hair grow mad long. I'd probably do that. They look better with shorter hair anyway. Wooden floors everywhere here so shouldnt be too bad in terms of any shedding. And neither of us have allergies, thankfully.
Yeah mate pretty much..injections aren't too dear but thats only if you have a pup that's a few weeks old and the worming tabs are only about 3 quid and you only do that every 2 weeks until about 3 months and then it's every month