https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:40:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883338 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:15:35 +0000 heffalump 883338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: So cute! Thanks for the info on boys vs. girls. If I didn't chase my dog he would just disappear. Once DH didn't even notice he was gone for a second so he was gone, out of sight. Our last resort trick was always asking a neighbor with a dog to come out (luckily my next door neighbor has two dogs and is usually there because she works from home). If he does chase me I'm never fast enough to catch his collar. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883309 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:10:02 +0000 Happygal 883309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Artbee: if you do a search for GDS puppy ears, you'll see they go through all sorts of phases. It's very cute. I've attached a picture of my first puppy so you can see just one of many phases she went through. </p> <p>I hear you on the timing. I knew I wanted a dog in the warmer months for housebreaking purposes. My husband is gone a lot in the fall, so I wanted a dog to keep me company during that time. </p> <p>The info on girls versus boy dogs is anecdotal. Some observations are that boy dogs can be more laid back and have longer puppyhoods. Girl dogs may be more protective of the home and their people. It's mainly a personality thing for me--I like the girl dogs with a little sass. I also didn't want to deal with marking.</p> <p>A tip from a trainer that may help those with dogs who like to escape...don't chase them! Make a loud noise to get their attention and then run in the other direction. Most likely, they'll turn and chase you. It's a scary moment, and I've had to use that before. </p> [attach=2722/13/moyqkt.600x450.Maya-048.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883292 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:06:19 +0000 heffalump 883292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: My dog stopped to poo in someone's yard which gave me time to catch up but ran the second I got to him. Don't they know we just want them to be safe?!</p> <p>@mfa_lady: So sweet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883248 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:58:47 +0000 Alivoo01 883248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: Yes on them thinking it's a game!! He's always JUST slightly out of reach and when we take one step closer - beep beep! He's out of there again. ARG!!!!</p> <p>And we always have to make sure our gates are closed and there's no holes around the fence line before we let him out too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883224 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:55:46 +0000 MamaJ 883224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We both wanted a pit bull and our friend had pit bull puppies. We couldn't agree on the sex. DH wanted male and I wanted female. I told him we could get a male because he had never had a dog so I said he could choose. Well turns out someone took the male he wanted so we got his twin female instead. And now I think DH is happy we have female dogs (we got a second pit bull 6 months later). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883107 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:32:53 +0000 mfa_lady 883107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we got our dogs when we were still dating - his a giant golden retriever and mine a little poodle mix. when we moved in together right after we got engaged, our dogs were thrilled! they were already best buddies. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883106 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:32:40 +0000 Charm54 883106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH has always always wanted an english bulldog. After we had been dating for a few years and moved in together we got one - he is the apple of my eye! I love that dog so much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883101 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:32:12 +0000 swurlygurl 883101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes we have problems agreeing, I want a cat and DH doesn't... haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883095 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:31:44 +0000 heffalump 883095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: Our dog did that too. He'd get out and he thought it was a game, "you can't get me!" And we live by a very busy street, so it was terrifying. The first time we did it in our new house it was because my cleaning lady, who I told you need to watch out for the dog because he will run out, left the door open a little. LO was just a newborn, so I handed her to the cleaning lady and ran. After that I made DH build a little fence in the front yard, and we don't open the front door if the fence is open. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883082 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:29:32 +0000 BSB 883082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We wanted a pug but since pugs are small, we decided to go with a larger dog.</p> <p>We actually ended up going to the shelter to look and came out with our dog. At the shelter, I wanted a chihuahua and DH found our dog. I completely walked by the dog he wanted because it looked like a pit bull. But once he showed me the dog he wanted, I realized she wasn't a pit bull. BTW, I didn't want a pit bull because I know our apartment didn't allow any 'aggressive' breeds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883070 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:28:20 +0000 jhd 883070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i already had a dog when i met dh. he said he was not a pet person. he has now been converted! ;) </p> <p>good luck finding a new dog to join your family! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-883050 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:25:03 +0000 Alivoo01 883050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: That's awesome!! Ours had a slight issue with peeing in the house since he was used to being in a crate all day and only let out for a bit in the evening with his previous owners. It didn't take long to curb that habit - maybe a week or two?</p> <p>However, he has this TERRIBLE habit of darting out the door when he gets the opportunity and runs in a dead bolt, full steam ahead fashion to where ever his legs take him. He runs out so fast he doesn't even know where "home" is and can never return home on his own. Trying to keep up with him and bring him home is always a feat. He's calmed down a bit, but still occasionally still make a mad dash for the open door. Sigh. He's a jack russell. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-882938 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:05:49 +0000 heffalump 882938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: We got so lucky with our first dog. DH said that when he first brought him home he ran upstairs and crapped on his bed. That was the one and only time he went to the bathroom inside for his whole 8 years of life. </p> <p>@Anagram: We are those people who don't mind pet hair :) I actually miss it now that my dog is gone. He was a big shedder...... and he loved to go between your legs to get a tushy scratch so he'd get hair all over your pants. It was pretty gross when LO started crawling and she'd find some dog hair..... but that's just life with a dog that sheds. I do feel like there have to be dogs that don't shed. And you could always compromise and say we can have a dog if it doesn't go in the bed with us. I used to love having our pup in bed but there's not enough room for all three of us. Hopefully you'll come to some sort of agreement!</p> <p>@alphagam84: Wow, I've never heard of that. We would never do something like that to change our dog's looks. So far DH has had 2 shepherd mixes, both with ears that stick up, and he's never mentioned that so I'm sure he knows nothing about it either. </p> <p>@Happygal: That's good to know about the ears. Both of DH's GS's were puppy's when they got them. They were actually standing straight up as puppy's, that's what drew DH to our Teddy. I also worry about rushing DH to get a new dog because we literally lost our old dog less then a week ago. But I didn't even bring it up until he did. And for us I feel like it's either now or wait a year because we have a baby coming in December. I want the dog to be here and get used to us and we get used to it before the chaos of a newborn. And then after the baby comes I know we'll feel like we don't have time for a dog, where as if the dog is already here we will have no choice but to make time. Is there a reason you prefer a girl dog? I thought we'd want a boy because that's what DH has had in the past.... and right now he's the only boy in the family. But he doesn't seem to care. We've already put some applications in to rescue groups and one has responded. The dog we like is in the process of being adopted, and she suggested a 9 month old puppy. She seems perfect, but she's just too young, and DH doesn't love her look. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-882431 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:16:50 +0000 Happygal 882431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, it sounds like a GSD rescue group could be great to help you find a dog around 2-3 years old. The one in my area does such a good job with carefully screening families and making sure it's a good fit for all involved. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-882429 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:16:29 +0000 Foodnerd81 882429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got my dog while DH and were dating but not at all serious, so he had no say in the matter-- though, he is clearly the best dog ever. For our next dog (not for several more years) I think we will be roughly on the same page-- DH wants a bigger dog than our current one, which I'm fine with since we will have a house by then. We tend to think the same dogs are really cute and have similar tastes, so i don't see it being a problem. But, I'd be totally happy getting a young, but not puppy, dog, but DH wants a puppy. And we both love, love, love mutts, which is good. </p> <p>@Anagram: We obviously aren't nearly as far apart on the issue as you are, but we did have to compromise with certain things with the dog-- my dog used to be allowed on the bed, but once DH and I moved in together, we made a no dog on the furniture policy (which works wonderfully when we are home, but the dog sometimes "forgets" when we are out). If the shedding is a really big concern for you, you could look into breeds that shed a lot less or not at all-- lots of poodle mixes, shitzhus... though mostly smaller breeds. I mean, not for a while, but that would be a way to ease you into it when the time comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-882422 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:15:03 +0000 Boheme 882422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: GSDs are such awesome dogs!</p> <p>I came into our marriage with two small dogs, and we got a rescue dog together. I love all animals so I had no opinion what we got, so he had more say in what kind of puppy we brought home. He turned out to be the perfect dog! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-882410 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:12:00 +0000 Happygal 882410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm excited that you're getting a German Shepherd! I love the breed--grew up with one and have raised two myself. </p> <p>@Alphagam84--GSDs ears actually do usually stick up on their own. They're often floppy in all directions as a puppy, but they'll stick up over time. I know Boxers and other breeds have their ears cropped, but not GSDs. They might tape them up if they never perk up, (but not surgically alter them), but it's not standard.</p> <p>My husband and I both wanted another GSD, but we didn't agree on the timing. He felt we got a puppy too soon, and he felt great guilt about it. Sometimes I feel guilty that I rushed his mourning schedule. He also would love a big, laid back male dog, whereas I lean towards the dainty and spunky females.</p> <p>ETA: our vet will not crop ears or dock dogs' tails. I think it's a hot topic in that part of the dog world! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-882408 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:11:36 +0000 Dandelion 882408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@alphagam84: It also wards off ear infections, which is important if you're using the breeds for what they're actually bred for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-882407 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:11:00 +0000 Dandelion 882407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're on the same page.</p> <p>Actually...it's more like DH saying, "Hey, I stopped at the shelter on the way home and got a kitten," or, "let's get a saltwater aquarium today."</p> <p>I just love animals, so I don't really care what he brings home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-882382 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:03:25 +0000 alphagam84 882382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to comment about your ears stick straight up vs. floppy comment. Dogs like shepherds don't normally have ears that stick straight up-it is often the outcome of a painful procedure done at a vets office where parts of the dogs ear is cut off and then forced into a shape to make it upright and then they have to be taped into place for several weeks. It seems very cruel and I would urge you not to do this if this is something you were considering! It makes me so angry when I see people doing this to dogs just for aesthetics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-881957 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:56:31 +0000 Anagram 881957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband would love to have a dog, and I would be fine never ever having a pet. So far, I'm "winning" in that we don't have a dog....but I know he's going to want one in a few years.</p> <p>I'm just not a pet person...I find pet hair that's not attached to the pet super disgusting. Like, more disgusting than the average person finds it (I guess), I was roomates with a good friend for a few years after college and she had a cat...and I was constantly finding cat hair on kitchen counters, floating in our Brita pitcher (how does it even get there!) all over our furniture, floating through the air, in balls in the corners. </p> <p>I feel like pet owners have to be either super, super anally clean (which I'm not), or the type that's okay if they go to work with pet hair on their clothes (like my coworker). </p> <p>Maybe there's a middle ground, but that's how I imagine pet ownership. LOL. Also, I would DIE if my bed had pet hair in it, and DH would love nothing more than to have a dog in bed with us. yuck. </p> <p>LOL. clearly, we are worlds apart on this one. I feel like one day when we have a bigger house, I could live with a compromise like my sister has with her dogs. They have a huge back yard (separated into two parts--one for the dogs and one that's dog free), and the dogs are only allowed in one room of the house. So they are mostly outside dogs. I'd be fine with that, because I've never seen pet hair in her kitchen or living room or bedroom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-881899 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:40:48 +0000 Alivoo01 881899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hubby and I are pretty much on the same page with everything, which is great. If we aren't, we both explain our side of why we don't agree and try to work on a compromise.</p> <p>I bought hubby's first dog when we weren't even really dating and we both LOVE him! We've both been wanting another dog also, but just don't have the time right now to train a new puppy. Potty training with our last puppy was a nightmare. She was too ladylike and refused to go outside to take care of business, even if she really needed to pee. She'd hold it until we got inside and put down a pee pee pad for her. Ha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-and-your-so-have-trouble-agreeing-on-a-pet#post-881690 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 07:47:04 +0000 heffalump 881690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have a choice with our last dog. DH already had him before we met. But he picked such a wonderful pup that I know I can trust his choices :)</p> <p>We've decided to start the search for a new dog and I think we're pretty much on the same page. He has always wanted a German Shepherd because his first dog was one and our last pup was a shepherd mix, he loved them both.. I don't have preferences with that other then I like bigger dogs, so a shepherd is fine with me. He prefers ears that stick straight up.... but isn't going to be crazy picky with that if we find our perfect dog with floppy ears. We both want a young dog but not a puppy. We have a toddler and baby on the way so a puppy would just be too much, and we just lost our dog so we want to have many many years with our new dog. And of course we both want a friendly dog who is good with kids. </p>