Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) is really good. We got our dog (sh-tzapoo) there and had him for 14 years.
I recommend a Miniature Schnauzer. My niece has one and its gotta be one of the cutest pets I've seen. Most get no bigger than 15 lbs, and I'm guessing your daughter will want to use bows on her hair. This one is perfect, because its hair grows out well, but the best thing about this dog is it doesn't shed. In the summer, just get a buzz razor and its good to go when it gets too hot. It gets along great with kids, and its very affectionate and protective. My niece's dog has a little bell on her collar, and its cute to hear a little jingle in the house whenever she walks around. They live a long time also, are very smart, and aren't hyperactive.
ROX while true that separation anxiety can be an issue with Jacks (they do love their people), this can be remedied by lots of playtime and exercise for the dog. We've never had a problem with Dex. But we also make it a point to spend at least an hour or two a day with some good playtime and walks. Being very smart dogs, you do have to keep Jacks occupied. Hence the reason they're good for families.
Agreed says my cell phone, two wallets, my driver's license, all my credit cards, my Xbox 360 controller, my PS2 controller, cell charger, headset, my old carpet, and countless other things. Though my dog is a mix, and he eventually calmed down. He was total destruction for a while.
You aren't going to get murdered for looking at puppies in a wal-mart parking lot. Stop being so scared. I will say that everytime I have gone to look at a set up like that, they were asking for waaaaay too much money. I got my dog from the Humane Society, small, indoor dog. SPCA has all sizes, so not sure why you would think they wouldn't. There are a couple of organizations in the Heights also that have adoptions of Saturdays. On a more serious note, I am thinking you might want to do some research before deciding to get a dog. They are alot of responsibility and add alot of extra work to your routine. All dogs need some exercise and need to be walked. Not walked to take a crap, but walked to get some exploring and exercise in. Go get a Dog Whisperer book and/DVD set. He has an instructional one out now that can prepare you for what you are about to take on. He knows his stuff and being consistent with his teachings can work wonders. I have a Jack Russell mix and the only thing my dog chewed on was a corner of a throw rug. I read and was shown that you have to be very strict with those dogs, otherwise they will be a terror.
Why would you think the SPCA doesn't have small dogs? I worked there for over 2 years, and there's a big room specifically for puppies. Sometimes there is a shortage (which is good) but it's never empty. Also, it's now illegal to sell/buy animals "roadside" in Texas. http://www.associatedcontent.com/ar...ounty_texas_bans_sale_of_roadside.html?cat=17 Not sure if there's a fine for buying them, but I wouldn't take that chance. It's not the best way to find a dog in the first place...go to a shelter instead.
buying from a walmart parking lot or any pet store..is the worst thing you can do. you have no idea where those puppies came from. it maybe cheap now..but you are going to pay for it later once they start getting health problems. either buy from a reputable breeder (not the cheapest solution)..or either adopt from a shelter or rescue. rescue is a little different than shelter because rescue dogs are placed in foster homes and they tend to know the dogs better than just leaving them in cages at the shelter. all that said..i would never get a puppy again. 6 months of hell.
This is true, one must from the beginning establish who is master with Jacks. And they will test you; that’s part of why they are so smart.
I was so glad I found that 7-in-1 vaccine and the rabies vaccine at my local store. $10 for all those beats the heck out of the $50-$100 the vets try to charge.
I have a puppy in need of a home. About 10 years old, 45 pounds, short hair, fights with other dogs but great with children, house-broken, counter-surfs, black lab mix.
They screw you over. My vet charges me $20-$30. The vet my parents used when I was a kid charged well over $100 it seemed for every visit. It was ridiculous, but people pay it because they've been there a long time, and don't know any better. Even getting my pets neutered have been less than $100 for the laser surgery, but I had to take the time to shop around at different vets to find that kind of price.
I still have the stray dog from the other thread. She is about 6 months old and incredibly sweet. She would make a great pet for someone. She is a medium sized dog with fairly short hair.
I've got a black lab mix my wife would like me to get rid of that actually is a puppy and house broken, and great around my son. Live way too far though to make a transfer. Not that I actually want to get rid of the dog.
http://www.pupsquad.org I can vouch for this rescue group. They are good and all of their adoptable dogs should be perfectly healthy - keep in mind, that any animal can get sick, though...just the way it goes. Some things to keep in mind. 1. Most good rescue organizations will think twice about adopting to someone who says: "My daughter wants a dog". I understand it happens to be true, but for your sake, the dog's sake, and your families sake, you need to think it through, and come to the conclusion "the family wants a dog". You can't put a dog in a closet when your daughter is done playing with it. It's a living thing, not a toy. Yet, while your daughter may learn some responsibility, you will be the one taking care of the dog. 2. Along with the above, remember, dogs require more work and responsibility. Not just feeding, but taking it to the vet, keeping its shots updated, what to do with the dog when you travel, etc, etc, etc. 3. Crate-training. Dogs love crates...it's not cruel. Dogs are biologically den creatures. They will come to treat their crate as their little home within a home. For all those complaining about Jack Russell's eating up their homes...um, yeah, if you leave a young, high energy dog unattended with free roam of your house, expect some damage to occur. We crate our dogs when we leave the house, even still today though they are now older and calmer. When they were younger, we'd crate them if we were just going to take a shower, etc. They need to learn that the crate is their home, and you'll come back. Now, if they're tired during the day, they'll just go voluntarily sleep in their crates. They know if we're about to go run some errands and will go to their crate on their own, as if to say "got it, you're heading out, we'll just chill in here", etc. 4. Training in general. The great news with a puppy is that they are at the perfect age for training. And I'm not just talking about basic sit commands that you can do on your own. And I'm not a big fan on those Petco training sessions either. http://doubledogtraining.com/index.html - Anita is very good. It's a little pricey, but in a one hour session, where she comes to your house, you will get more value than in the big box training classes. 5. Other - do some research on breed that you think you may like, but if you are going to go the adoption route, also LISTEN to the adoption group. These people spend multiple hours a day, every day, with dogs. They know breeds better than the internet, they know their dogs better than anyone else, and they can pick a good fit for you. Fit is WAY, WAY, WAY more important than cuteness. Also, you may want to think about 2 dogs. Yes, double the dogs is more work, but dogs are pack animals, another dog gives them each other to play with, depend on, etc. I wouldn't jump into 2 dogs right away, unless you are very sure of what you are getting yourself into. For us, we adopted our one dog when she was 5-6 months, had her for a month, and easily came to the conclusion that she needed a playmate, so we adopted another one. They truly are best friends and don't even like being apart. just some things to consider. good luck!
Around 3 years ago my husband and I were looking for a small dog and went to the SPCA several times and all the small dogs that they had there were already taken, that's why I said I doubt they will have any. I wasn't aware of an area that was specifically for puppies either. I guess we will have to check it out.
Again, please read a book, look at some DVDs about having a dog first. It isn't as easy as people think. Dogs don't come to your house acting like Benji right off the bat. I walk my dog daily and it seemed to have a domino effect of people getting puppies all down my street. 6 months later less than half of those dogs are there because people just didn't understand what having a dog really means. Half the time visitors to my house think I am being a complete ass to my dog when I am really just being as strict as I need to be to stay in control.
