DogBreeds Info
Information on Dog Breeds from Ato Z

Home Dog Breeds Articles About Us Awards Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Use
 

Learning to Live With a Dog When YouDon't Want To

 

 

dog on couchInevitably, you will find yourself in a place in your life when you’re able to either move in with a significant other or have them move in with you, or perhaps it’s something just as simple as getting a new roommate or having kids or something similar. Chances are, you’ll have the discussion with those living with you about whether to get a pet or not and unless the decision is unanimous, you might end up settling for something you don’t want, for instance a dog. If you happen to be a cat person or just don’t particularly like dogs, there are still ways to make life manageable. Here are a few things you can do to learn to live with a dog, even if you don’t want to.

For me, it was a discussion that came up between my wife and I. I’ve never particularly been into dogs as I was raised in a house with nothing but cats, so I knew that they were typically louder, messier, and required a lot more from me in terms of care, and part of me was scared just thinking about the change. However, a few years later and my wife’s dog has grown on me, plus I’ve learned how to deal with him a lot better. Thankfully, my wife and I were able to come to a consensus as to what breed of dog to look for, and she was able to find one that fit both our needs.

Before the dog has appeared, it’s important to lay out what you’re actually looking for in a dog of course. If you much prefer a breed that’s laid back and relaxed, like a basset hound or a beagle, then definitely put preference there. If you’re eager for something that already has a clear personality, go with something older from a shelter or something similar. Basically, you want to try and find a dog that satisfies everyone’s requirements, and yes, there is always at least one dog nearby you at any given moment that does indeed fit every need.

So upon bringing it home, you’ll find that your life needs to change around the new dog. You’ll need to plan out when to take it for walks, when to feed it, where it sleeps, etc. But during this you also want to lay down clear boundaries and rules. Will it be okay to feed the pooch random treats between meals? Make sure there’s a clear understanding here between you and everyone in the house. The biggest boundary to set is sleeping arrangements. If your dog will be sleeping in a dog house outside, keep consistent and be sure that the house and conditions outside are still comfortable enough for your dog. Setting up a crate inside or a bed of some sort is important, but certainly expect some time to acclimate yourself to the change.

Essentially, you’ll have to deal with a month or so of just getting used to everything new, both for you and the new dog. Your dog will want to fight against certain new aspects of its life, especially if it’s a stubborn breed, but you’ll have to be consistent in your approach. Every dog can be taught through positive reinforcement and consistency. Don’t be strict about someone one day and then just let it go another. If you want the dog to stay off the couch, be firm each and every time without wavering and make sure they get the picture that the couch is off limits.

Dogs, unlike humans, thrive when someone is clearly in charge, so while you can still be sweet to the new pup, making a clear distinction that you’re the boss is vital to a good relationship. Small things like making sure they let you walk through a door before they do or seeing that you’re a disciplinarian are very important. Plus, teaching them some simple, all-important commands such as “sit,” “lay down,” and “crate” will end up going quite a way toward helping to keep order.

Despite what you think as a non-dog owner, bringing a dog into your life won’t ruin everything, specifically if there’s someone else in the house to share the responsibility with. I get on with my dog just fine now because my wife has taken the lead in training him, but he of course still walks all over us and our rules when we give him the chance. Stay smart and learn how to train your new dog, but also remember to offer love. Follow through with consistency and everything should work out great!

 

Related Articles

 

5 Tips on Training Your Dog
 

Reasons to Choose Organic Dog Food

Popular Dog Breeds for Pets

5 Tips for Naming Your Dog

The Best Dogs for Senior Citizens

Housebreaking Your Dog

How to Travel With Your Dog

Basic Principals for Better Health andSafety of Dogs

Advice For Feeding Dogs

5 Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Safe

Dog Accessories

Dog Breeding

Information On Dog Parks

Dog Shows

Dog Toys

Dog Training Tips

Doggy Daycare

Dog Owner Edicit

Health Insurance For Your Dog

How to Avoid Dehydration for Dogs

How to Avoid Bloat Condition

How to Choose A Dog That's Right For You

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking

How To Avoid Worms In Your Dog

Dogs and Seperation Anxiety

Better Training for Your Dog

Places To Buy A Dog

Poisons To Keep Away From Your Dog

Safety Dogs for Autistic Children

5 Tips to Find Your Lost Dog

Buying a Dog From a Rescue: What To Look OutFor

How to Crate Train Your Dog

How to Puppy Proof Your Home

5 Common Household Toxins and Your Dog

5 Tips For Dog Show Preparation

Clipping Dog Nails: A How To Guide

Children and Dogs: Is your Child Ready For aDog?

Dogs and Fleas: How to Treat Your Dog'sFleas

5 Ways To Exercise With Your Dog

Brushing Dog Teeth: A How To Guide

No-Kill Shalters: Quick Facts

Overweight Dog? The Doggy Diet

Dealing With Dog Nipping

5 Useful Tips For Dog Paw Care

When To Euthanize Your Dog: Making TheDecision

Dog Tears: Preventing Stains

How to Stop Your Dog From Jumping

5 Tips To Managing Shedding Dogs

Top 5 Healthiest Dog Foods

How To Potty Train Your Dog

What are Lap Dogs?

Where You Should Look to Find Your Puppy

Winning the War on Fleas

What Not to Feed Your Dog

Three Main Keys to Owning a Healthy and HappyDog

Dog First Aid: How To Treat Woundsand the Supplies You Need

The Options for Paying Those Costly VetBills

Tips to Maintain a Healthy Dog or Puppy forLife

To Hire a Dog Sitter or Not

Things to Consider Before Buying a Puppy

Useful Information for Dog Breeding

Training Your Dog to Walk with a Leash

Top 9 Canine Breeds to Adopt

Most Popular Dog and Puppy Names of 2011

Dealing with your Dog's Sleeping Habits

Why Dogs Become Aggressive

Dealing With an Itchy Dog

What Makes a Good Guard Dog?

Why You Really Shouldn't Feed Your DogScraps

Why Don't Some Dogs Like Strangers?

Why Dogs Make Poor Gifts

Puppy Love

To Breed for the AKC Standards or Not

Why You Should Check for Corn in Your DogFood

Dealing With Your Dog's Ear Infection

Shock Collars and Electric Dog Fences

The History of the Iditarod

Foods to Keep Away From Your Dog

Should You Feed Your Dog a Raw Food Diet?

Calming Your Dog Around Thunder

Things to Consider When Moving While Owning aDog

Why You Should Get Your Dog Fixed

Dog Houses and Kennels

Let's Get Moving!

Supplies for Dogs

You Dog, Your Debt, and You

A Vulnerable Dog Skin

Learning to Live With a Dog When You Don'tWant To

Dogs and Bones

How to Clicker Train Your Dog

What to Do if You Are Attacked By a Dog

Telling the Difference BetweenPlayfulness and Aggression

Car Safety for Your Dog

Helping Your Dog Handle Fear

Being Able to Sense When Your Dog is Sick