Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael 61
I’ve always wanted a dog, but never had one while working, as I didn’t think it was fair to a dog to be inside, crated and alone for the majority of the day while I was at work. I always thought that once I retired, I would finally get a puppy, and invest a lot of time with training, and walking several times per day. Well, since retiring to The Villages, and with all my activities, I don’t see how I could fit having a dog into my busy lifestyle. Many of my neighbors who have dogs are not engaged in very many activities here in The Villages, as their dogs seem to take up most of their time. Often times, they have to turn down social and recreational invites, or cut them short, because they have to get back to let their dog out or care for it. Interested to hear from other posters who manage to have a dog and are still very active outside their home everyday here in The Villages. I’m thinking maybe dog ownership will have to wait until I’m older and maybe less active.
|
It is good you’re thinking this through. I have some input.
(1) A crate is not a cage as some have called it. Proper crate training establishes it as a place the dog feels safe - not trapped.
(2) Regardless of weather, pad-training a dog is a great advantage - especially with no fence or, our case, with barky dachshunds that cannot be left to their own accord with in/out privileges via a doggie door. We can leave them for several hours and they know where to do their business.
(3) Dogs are like children that never grow up. Expense of care if you want to go on a cruise adds a lot to your total pet care costs.
Thanks for pondering this thoughtfully. So many leap and regret Hence, the rescue center populations.