Thinking of Getting a Dog — Advice Welcome! (Barking Issue)

So we are considering getting a dog. I am a little worried about the whole barking issue. Which is one of the reasons why I was considering a Pug because apparently they are quieter? So far we are looking into a Pug and possibly Toy Poodle. My parents think it might help with my anxiety and to get me to stop focusing on the tinnitus. Does anyone have any advice on these types of dogs or does anyone have dogs and say yay or nah to it.

I am used to cats, I've had three, however I am allergic. The last cat we had was also a disaster, it vomited all over the house constantly until we found out it was cancer and had to be put down, he was young too. So my parents are now a little bit apprehensive about another cat.

I know this is a topic that has been discussed, I'm just curious for thoughts while I mull everything over.

 

Generally size and loudness of the bark of the dog correlate... not that I am dog expert, bug I can see the pug being quieter (but how yappy they are depends on their temperament).

Me, I prefer cats... although the ones I have, neither of them are willing to sleep in my bed. The purring would be a nice relaxing thing to have on my pillow at night instead of "eeeeeeeee".

 

We don't want a big dog because of that, plus my parents are old so a massive dog with a lot of energy would not fit in this household.

Oh that would be so nice, two of my cats would sleep next to me, the other one wouldn't, it was so anti social and it's the reason why my parents have now been put off by cats.

 

Not to mention the bigger the dog, the bigger the stoop and scoop!

 

Hahahaha exactly, no thank you and I am also little so it would be walking me not the other way around lol.

 

A dog is for life....not just for tinnitus.

 

I am aware of that. It's not something I plan to rush into.

 

.......er.......pussycats are quite nice....
(.....just sayin’....) x



- my Percival xx

 

Awwwwwwwww hes so cute!!!!!!!!!!! I've had three cats in my life, Gingey my Brother's cat, Little Kitty and Snowy which were mine. I am allergic though. I wouldnt mind another cat, just not sure if my parents would after what happened with Snowy.

 

Oh dear - I’m sorry. x

 

small dogs bark more often than large dogs due to size intimidation. Large dogs bark way less, but louder. so I'd get a large dog with an amazing temperament like a Golden Retriever. Female so she's a bit on the lighter side. Sheep dogs are very quiet but they require immense amount of exercise and would go crazy without being 'worked'. I think you best method would be to adopt a grown dog, even at 1 years old, so you can already see its temperament and feel assured its not a barker. I had a male golden and he was lazy, hated the dog park and didn't bark at anything. All he cared about was fooooood and hugs.

 

I wasnt even aware I was until I had an allergy test a few years ago. I am moderately allergic so I just end up sneezing a bit. Which isnt too bad, I think that is because I was around cats most of my life growing up so the allergy wasnt considered high.

How long have you had Percival?

 

I was considering Golden Retriever but parents don't want a large dog. I was going to go with a puppy to teach it not to bark but your way is also good didnt really think of that. Smart

 

Annie - 6 years


Percy and TimTom 5 years

 

They are stunning!!!!!! Annie is beyond beautiful I love her colouring! What cat type is she?

 

How about a Labrador? They are slightly smaller than Goldens but still amazing temperament and very family oriented. Or a Boxer which is medium sized. If you really have to go small, I'd go with a French Bulldog. They are the funniest things. I had a friend who loved pugs but they has so many issues with breathing. It was kinda sad.

 

My first choice was lab wanted once since i was a kid, parents said no they want small.
I was considering french bulldog, apparently there suppose to be quiet. Yeah I know pugs have many issues it makes me sad as well. I feel so bad for them honestly.

 

Hi,

This is what I posted on another thread recently...

"After loosing my best friend of 14 years, Lilly a Mini-schnauzer, I wasn't sure if I wanted another dog. I was concern with the barking as well but I caved in and we got another Mini-schnauzer in the Summer of 2017.
I am so happy with my Pixie girl. She's a Mini-Schnauzer and thank God she doesn't bark! At all! I mean she REALLY does not bark! For nothing! I believe there is a God! I love her so much, she snuggles with me and its so loving. I heard her bark once in a year and a half, and that was when she was playing with another dog. lol "
​

Pixie spends her days sleeping and cuddling. She's about 10lbs. We didn't play rough with her either.
She really doesn't bark at all. I mean, if a thief is breaking in, she will continue sleeping!

When she was a puppy, we did not encourage the barking.
We introduced her to as many people and other dogs as possible when she was still a puppy.

I hope you find your best friend for life.

Here's my Pixie.

 

@OnceUponaTime Awww she is so cute! is that breed known to bark or no? I wanted to train the dog not to bark. We probably wouldnt do the whole rough house with the dog either, we want a nice calm dog. My parents are getting on in age so they want a dog which will curl up and just chill, hence why they liked the idea of a pug.

 

Thank you and yes! They are known to bark because of their guarding instinct to protect their family members.

God must really love because she must be the exception! lol

 

I agreed with his answer but Goldens can be quite energetic and still need a lot of exercise unless they are older.
You can still follow the other part of his advice - look at mature dogs that the previous owner or foster family (consider adopting a rescue) can tell you its temperament and how often it barks, if it does at all.

I have a small dog, a chihuahua mix but I trained her not to bark and she's pretty well behaved in that respect. She's my world and I often feel sorry for her because my anxiety I think she senses and I know she feels helpless and doesn't understand what's wrong (with me). Just make sure you can devote time to the dog because they can develop isolation anxiety and when you bond with it, they want to be with you as much as possible.

 

Annie is a tiny (2 kl) Blue Persian.
Percy and TimTom are British shorthair
Blue and Whites. Big - 6 & 7 kls)
For more pics go to my thread
‘More Pussycat Therapy.’

I mustn’t divert your doggy thread though.
At one time I had two Scottish Rough Collies,
and later on two Welsh Border Collies.
I loved them to bits.

However, if you do get a dog and live to regret it, all is not lost:

 

Dogs are better, get a dog =P

Mine barks all the time and I love her so much!

 

That’s hilarious! X

 

I’ve 2 beardie collies and live them! I can honestly say the barking hasn’t affected my T, it can be annoying but they’re my therapy!

 

My misus is an embroidery designer Vicki.
When Sylvie is designing on the computer, Percy stretches out on the sewing machine.
When she is making stuff on the machine, Percy is laying across the computer key pad.

 

I would recommend a Labrador Retriever. They are very quiet dogs and very good with families and companionship. My Skye has been my lifesaver as we go on walks together and its been a better 6 months. Plus my daughter loves her as well so its a double win for me personally.

 

Get a Pokémon.

 

@Fally
A few minutes ago we went into
industrial action.


- maybe get a dog !!

 

I’ve got a huskie, he doesn’t bark much at all but does “talk” he’s not the cleverest dog in the world but he’s been a life saver. He helps a lot with my anxiety, just marches over and forces his head on my chest or face even when I push him away and doesn’t move until I’ve calmed down.

It’s amazing how they pick up on your emotions.

In terms of what breed, I would say huskies but they are quite big and need a lot of exercise and shed like crazy. I know people are not fussed on staffies but they are great companions and so soft. Whatever bread you get you can teach them humanly not to bark, takes a while but it’ll be worth it. Smaller breeds to tend to be on the yappy side and as somebody said it’s probably a size thing