Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2386537)

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.

Originally Posted by Two Bills (Post 2386881)

Pretty sure you have never owned a Lab!

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2387018)

If your mindset is "what will I have to sacrifice in my life, if I choose to get a dog?" then don't get a dog.

It's really that simple. When you change your mindset completely to "what benefits will I have, what quality of life will be enhanced if I choose to get a dog?" - when THAT is how you wrap your mind around pet ownership, THEN you'll be ready to get a dog. Not a moment before then.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2386891)

Different breeds can tolerate being left alone, others cannot. A Springer Spaniel, for example, would tolerate it better than a German Shepard. A German Shepard needs more activity and attention. They are practically escape artists and can learn how to turn doorknobs. I have seen German Shepards actually climb trees.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2386903)

Any dog breed will eat up the WHOLE bowl when FIRST presented to them. In the wild wolves need to gorge themselves because it could be days before their next meal. If you leave the bowl full all the time, eventually they will lose interest in GORGING themselves and begin to SELF-REGULATE. You could check me on this. Years ago, I read just about every dog book available. I know, from experience that it works with German Shepards, which can be very aggressive and protective, at first, about their food.

Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2386537)

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.

Originally Posted by Veracity (Post 2386778)

Make arrangements with one of your neighbors to take care of their dog in your home while they go on vacation. That will give you an idea of what your life will be like if you adopt a dog of your own. It will also limit your commitment to a week or two and you won't feel guilty about taking a foster dog back to a shelter, since the dog in your home already has a wonderful owner. Your life will change with a dog, I say for the better, but after this experiment you may disagree.

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2387077)

One of the worst experiences one can encounter is a neighbor who is out all day with a dog left home alone and barks all day. Guess what happens next. Neighbor has a friendly word with dog owner about what goes on all day long. RESPONSE - my Fido wouldn't do that. Now neighbors are on non speaking terms.

Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2386537)

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.

Originally Posted by mraines (Post 2387330)

I have a dog and am still quite active. I adopted a two year old from the shelter. She has never been crated. She is an awesome dog, though she does have her flaws. She does not seem to have to go out frequently. We walk in the morning. I play with her during the day and still have time to engage in golf, bowling, dancing at the squares, etc. I live alone and she gives me comfort and I love coming home to a wagging tail.

Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 2386572)

I agree with everything that's been said so far. I might add, the reason why I have two rescues now is because I want to have dogs in order to spend time with dogs. So that's part of my raison d'être.

That said, if you are very active and would like to give a rescue dog a chance at a better life, you can do this. Most dogs from shelters are crate trained, as they live in kennels. Our two came from the Sumter County Humane Society, where I volunteer. Since I walk the dogs, I can tell by looking at their kennel in the morning which ones are housebroken. I know which ones are skittish, which ones are calm, and which ones need a lot of exercise. You can ask all these questions of the shelter staff; I know the staff at Sumter County Humane Society, and they will tell you the truth.

Since I'm past retirement age, I chose dogs I think (hope) I will outlive, which is another reason not to go with a puppy. You have to have a backup plan for the dog if something happens to you. One of ours was brought to the shelter after the owners died and the adult children did not want him.

There is a meme out there that says something to the effect that a rescue dog would rather be lying on your floor waiting for you to come home than sitting in a kennel not knowing what's next.

Good luck in your decision.

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2387077)

One of the worst experiences one can encounter is a neighbor who is out all day with a dog left home alone and barks all day. Guess what happens next. Neighbor has a friendly word with dog owner about what goes on all day long. RESPONSE - my Fido wouldn't do that. Now neighbors are on non speaking terms.