Hello aminal wuvers! I currently have a loveable American Staffordshire Terrier (breed of pitt bull). But he is outside all the time, in his cage. And I cant play with him much because everytime I touch him my arms break out in a rash, because of something messed up with his skin. My mom sprays the dog shampoo on him and leaves it on him, I tried to tell her that his skin will end up just rotting away. She won't listen, although she hasnt done it since I told her. But nonetheless, I cannot touch him, he's old and I really want him to be able to stay in the house- we've had him since he was born, and I love him to death. I miss sleeping with him and playing with him. I even cry sometimes about it, yeah Im kinda emotional sometimes. But I dont think there is anything I can do to stop the rash from breaking out. So, Im thinking about getting a small dog to keep in the house and play with. I want a Daschund (weiner doggie), but my boyfriend wants a beagle, and I wouldn't mind a beagle, but he absolutely hates weinie doggies. So what should we get, is there another small dog out there that is cool? Gimme some advice on good small dogs, that arent completely stupid. Like pugs, they are ridiculously stupid, lol. Thanks everyone in advance who gives some suggestions -Andie
wow~ you should really find a way to help your dog out....leaving him outdoors all the time (esp in a cage!) is just wrong. and putting shampoo on his skin all the time will really irritate it.....i'm sure he's seen a vet right? what did they say about treating the condition? anyway, i just adopted a little dog myself from the local shelter. She's a mix between a rat terrier and a chihuahua....cutest thing ever! Google "pet finder" (i was going to leave you a link but it wouldnt work for some reason) that sight has the key to homeless dogs everywhere that need a home....all breeds, all sizes. Please, please support a shelter and adopt a needy dog! I really didn't know much at all about rat terriers untill I adopted lily and they are just the most wonderful dogs.....very loyal, smart, energetic, and loving. Well, i guess I just described all breeds of dog, but really, she's awesome. Take a look at what breed (or mix of breed) you decide on before hand that way you wont be surprised when that dog has certain characteristics that may not suit your lifestyle well. For instance, jack russells need TONS of excersize and pugs and bull dogs have nasal problems due to their short nose (poor things). Beagles can be very talkative and howl at night....I had one for only a month untill my parents decided she was too nosisy ( i was only 10) Let us know what you decide!
trust me i dont agree with the whole cage thing.. but hes starting to get senile or something and pissing EVERYWHERE he can, so they had to put him outside no he hasnt seen the vet in a lil while.. we are keeping up on his heartguard though- i mean i really want to help him as well as get a new doggie, but i just dont know what to do... the vet is so expensive and my mom is just barely making ends meet, and i only have a 5.15 an hour job.. between me and my boyfriend we are going to keep the new doggie up to date with everything, and maybe we should do something about the staffy.. goddamnit
I understand where you're coming from, but seriously.....before considering getting a new pup you might want to take all that money alloted for the new pup's expenses and put that toward taking care of the one you already have. he obviously needs to see a vet.....senior dogs need to see a vet about every 6 months and if he is having all those problems you say he is...skin/bladder then you should see about whatever it is that you can do to treat it first and foremost. He's obviously suffering and keeping him outdoors in a cage is adding insult to injury. I realize you are under your parents rule so you dont have full say of what happens with the situation...but before getting a new dog becuase you think it would be fun to have a dog in the house to play with.....you should use that money and take responsibility for the one you have now.
I agree completely. It would be completely irresponsible of you to get a new dog wile keeping that poor old dog outside. What makes you think the reaction you have is just to him and not to all dogs? When was the last time he had a bath?
first of all, how could you be so cruel to your staffy? leaving him outdoors all day and night in a cage with no attention.. This is why staffies and other bully breeds have such a bad reputation.. BECAUSE of people like YOU!!! You should find him a new home, dont be so fucking selfish. he is a living creature... how copuld you let your mother just spray him with shampoo?? What the FUCK??? thats so mean!!!! And why are you thinking of getting another dog right now? and considering you are allergick to them... Why would you get another breed that sheds masively like a daschund or a beagle. both of these breeds shed ALOT and they both carry alot of natural dander and smells... they also gains weight very easily.. most die because of thyroid problems or of obesity.. First find your staffy a loving home that he deserves. Poor thing. Secondly I do-nt think you deserve another dog but if you are to get one, goto a reputable breeder ot shelter and get a dog that doesnt shed (non allergenic breed) like a poodle or a shih tzu. RESEARCH the breed before you dive in and get it.. I cant even think right now this thread pissed me off so much.. FUCK
first, right on, elle! i love your words. i fully agree -- you need to focus on your dog, rather than spending all that money on a new dog (shots & vaccines, spay/neutering, extra food, toys, etc) put it towards your current dog. make him your new dog all over again. he also needs your focus, love, and attention. peeing all the time, everywhere, means he needs to see a vet. it's usually an indication of a health problem, and a potentially serious one (cancer or organ problems, for example). perhaps his peeing is related to the rash he's causing you, and treating him would cure that? vets will talk to you for free, so go to a vet and tell them whats up with him, and see what they advise. they'll give you better advice than i can, and you can discuss costs (shop around -- it might cost less than you think!) and a payment plan, as well. perhaps you could do different tests on him and wait a few weeks between each one, so it's easier to afford (and less taxing on his system since he's a senior). you might be able to have a different test run on him every three weeks -- a few $40 vet bills spread out over a few months is much easier than one big bill for a few hundred. do you only get rashes from your dog, or from other dogs, too? perhaps you should get tested for allergies before investing in a new pet... you wouldn't want to get a rash from the next one, too. for future reference, labradoodles are supposed to be good for people with allergies. you might want to see a dermatologist, too. they can tell you more about your reaction, maybe give you some meds to prevent it or a cream to make it go away. the dermatologist can also rule out ringworm. if you have allergies, there are meds you can take to prevent reactions. if you're not allergic to dogs, then the rash reaction should be treatable. what does the rash look like, and how long does it last? when did it first appear -- has it always happened, or just after he started going outside? perhaps he picked up ringworm or has poison ivy on his coat, etc? how soon after petting him do you get a rash? if you immediately wash your hands with soap and water after petting him, does that prevent the rash? perhaps you're allergic to something else you're touching in the backyard on your way to the cage? has changing his diet helped?
you are most completely rude, people like me? im a fucking confused teenager who seeks help with this problem i told my mom thousands of time NOT to spray that shit on him she says 'i wash it off everytime' which she doesnt so you can fuck yourself, how insulting it is of you to make assumptions me and my boyfriend have no money set aside to go do whatever with we were going to adopt a dog, from an animal shelter.. About the staffy, to everyone else, thank you for the realization, I dont know why I didnt think of this common sense stuff before, the only other problem is, everytime in the past weve taken him to a vet, hes tried to bite them (maybe this is where the bad rep comes in shadowd dreamer). And he pees on everything, im guessing because my brother did not keep up with his training while i was gone, he let him go and do whatever and wherever. To all of you who have given me advice, thank you so much, i'll try to put it to good use. To shadowd dreamer, there is always more to something than what you think, next time do not be so rude right off the bat, it might make others think you are just a woman full of insulting disgusting comments. Nonetheless, thank you all. Allergy thing: I know Im allergic to just him and not other dogs, because any other dog I can play with and be fine, all types of dogs.. Thats all I have to say about that lol.
ah, well, then you're not allergic to your dog! if it is an allergy, it's not caused by the dog, it's caused by something else out in your yard, or something on your dogs fur (but not your dog... maybe fleas or poison ivy or something). you know, if he's outside and it's hot and humid and your mom is spraying him with stuff, he might have mold on his coat. are you allergic to mold?
even adopting an animal from the shelter costs money...anywhere from $50-150, maybe even more..... a check up at the vet doesnt cost much....it was only $20 for my new pup to get a check up and with the shots and meds he got it only came to $60......save every penny and get that poor pup to the vet asap before anything else. i realize that the thought of adopting a new animal from the shelter is somthing that you want to do....and it's a great idea....but not if you still have another dog that needs all your attention and extra money firstly....good luck, and hope you get some help for your pup~
humm.. in my area it is alot more costly. maybe because its canada, but i find that hard to believe.. a simple vet checkup costs from 60-150 dollars depending on the pet... adopting a dog from the shelter is $185.
i just checked out my dogs records, and he is up to date on everything so that is good news.. to adopt a dog here, its 85, and that includes getting them spayed/neutered. hes doing better than i thought, i gave him a bath not too long ago, last week. hes happier.
Ok...consider this: You live in maryland. There are fleas in maryland. If you stick a dog outdoors, and you don't treat for fleas,you will probably get fleas. Now, if the dog is prone to flea allergy,then he will get massive bad skin problems. You need to take the dog to the groomer and get him a MEDICATED shampoo. This will help with his skin. Kick out the $30 bath fee, and let them try and soothe him. Also, it's more than likely that his skin is having issues due to allergy. Get him allergy tested. Hell, even feeing him a childrens benadryl would help a whole lot! Hon,I'm under the impression that if you can't feed yourself fulltime,you don't need to feed another animal. Would you have a baby and be able to keep the child fed? Think of dogs as childrens...well,not so much you become obsessive...but you know what I mean. Anyhow,that's just my two cents
Andie, before you start thinking of a new dog, please find a loving home for your old dog. He deserves that much. If you need help, I can hook you up with an animal rescue network in your area.
I don't mean to ba an asshole about it, but i think take care of the dog you have before shoving him off onto someone else so you can get a new dog. He is older, has medical problems, and is a pitt. He will probably be put to sleep, or live out the rest of his life in a no kill shelter. Even if you get rid of him don't get a new dog until you are older, i just don't see the situation turning out any different.
