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Hey, lovely dog forum peeps!
So, my dad is 77 and recently widowed. Waaaay back when he and my mom were married, he had a golden-mix dog that he loved. He was a fantastic dog. My parents divorced shortly after I was born. I remember the golden a bit, but he passed when I was 7 or 8. Dad got a lab/coonhound mix when I was 6. Pup got trained by the awesome golden as well as some... harsh lessons... from my dad. Dad loved the pup, don't get me wrong, but as a guy born in the late 30s, and this being 20 years ago, harsh lessons were the way almost all farm dogs were trained, especially from my dad's generation. He was a great, great dog and my dad was very upset when he had to be put down. He still has pictures of Buster (the lab/coonhound) around the house.
Anyway, after Buster left our lives, Dad decided not to get another dog, because he was back and forth between his farm and his wife's farm, and he didn't like having to haul Buster the 50ish miles one way several times a week.
Now that my step-mom passed, my dad is very lonely, and also only on his farm. He immediately expressed interest in having a dog again. So, of course I want to help!
The big issue is that now, as an adult who is interested in getting her own dog, I know much more about training methods and such. And there is no way in the world that I would trust my dad with a puppy. He would... definitely give spankings, as I know that's how he "dealt" with Buster's behaviors that he didn't approve of. Plus, at his age, the energy requirements of a puppy and young dog would be too much for him.
However, a well-trained older adult dog (I'm hesitant to go with a senior, because I don't want it to pass on so soon after he gets it, but it's also something I'm open to!) would probably be an excellent fit. Howeverrr, the other problem is that my dad is a "dogs belong outside" person. And pretty much every shelter that I'm aware of wants to make sure you'll be keeping the dog inside. Which is understandable... it was pretty amazing that his two previous dogs learned what the property lines were and stayed in the yard. Buster actually didn't learn it as well and went missing for about a month and a half. We were amazed to get him back. Anyway, Dad doesn't spend as much time outside as he used to, because at 77 his body is finally starting to complain about doing work all day.
An inside dog would be a much better companion for him anyway.
Soooooo... has anyone had any luck with changing the mind of a "dogs only belong outside" person? I personally am okay with dogs being only outside--it's just in my dad's situation, I think an inside dog would provide more companionship since he's inside more. Any books they'd suggest? Also, any suggestions on books or ways to approach positive training methods for people who are used to negative ones? Or any experience with a dog for a spry elderly person? Suggestions on mixes to look for? I know dad would prefer something that has Golden or Lab in it, but the shedding issues there are going to be pretty crazy, especially if I'm trying to convince him to let it in at least in part of the house...
And for those who like to do window-shopping on Petfinder, my dad is in southern Minnesota and I'm in southern Wisconsin, so if you see dogs you'd think would fit, feel free to show 'em off.
Actually, on that note, I think that IF I could convince my dad to be inside only and to fence in part of his yard or be very good about leashes, a greyhound from the Greyhound Pets of America would be an excellent match for him... but he'd have to change his views quite a bit. But gosh, the Minnesota chapter is amazing and I think they'd be excellent for finding him a good match.
I'll be visiting with him this week, so I'm going to talk to him about how he's feeling about a dog and at least see if I can work on the inside dog issue. I'm really hoping I can change his mind.
Thanks so much! Winter is coming up and I'd really like to find my dad a pal before the depression and loneliness of snow and cold sets in. Thank you all! <3
So, my dad is 77 and recently widowed. Waaaay back when he and my mom were married, he had a golden-mix dog that he loved. He was a fantastic dog. My parents divorced shortly after I was born. I remember the golden a bit, but he passed when I was 7 or 8. Dad got a lab/coonhound mix when I was 6. Pup got trained by the awesome golden as well as some... harsh lessons... from my dad. Dad loved the pup, don't get me wrong, but as a guy born in the late 30s, and this being 20 years ago, harsh lessons were the way almost all farm dogs were trained, especially from my dad's generation. He was a great, great dog and my dad was very upset when he had to be put down. He still has pictures of Buster (the lab/coonhound) around the house.
Anyway, after Buster left our lives, Dad decided not to get another dog, because he was back and forth between his farm and his wife's farm, and he didn't like having to haul Buster the 50ish miles one way several times a week.
Now that my step-mom passed, my dad is very lonely, and also only on his farm. He immediately expressed interest in having a dog again. So, of course I want to help!
The big issue is that now, as an adult who is interested in getting her own dog, I know much more about training methods and such. And there is no way in the world that I would trust my dad with a puppy. He would... definitely give spankings, as I know that's how he "dealt" with Buster's behaviors that he didn't approve of. Plus, at his age, the energy requirements of a puppy and young dog would be too much for him.
However, a well-trained older adult dog (I'm hesitant to go with a senior, because I don't want it to pass on so soon after he gets it, but it's also something I'm open to!) would probably be an excellent fit. Howeverrr, the other problem is that my dad is a "dogs belong outside" person. And pretty much every shelter that I'm aware of wants to make sure you'll be keeping the dog inside. Which is understandable... it was pretty amazing that his two previous dogs learned what the property lines were and stayed in the yard. Buster actually didn't learn it as well and went missing for about a month and a half. We were amazed to get him back. Anyway, Dad doesn't spend as much time outside as he used to, because at 77 his body is finally starting to complain about doing work all day.
Soooooo... has anyone had any luck with changing the mind of a "dogs only belong outside" person? I personally am okay with dogs being only outside--it's just in my dad's situation, I think an inside dog would provide more companionship since he's inside more. Any books they'd suggest? Also, any suggestions on books or ways to approach positive training methods for people who are used to negative ones? Or any experience with a dog for a spry elderly person? Suggestions on mixes to look for? I know dad would prefer something that has Golden or Lab in it, but the shedding issues there are going to be pretty crazy, especially if I'm trying to convince him to let it in at least in part of the house...
And for those who like to do window-shopping on Petfinder, my dad is in southern Minnesota and I'm in southern Wisconsin, so if you see dogs you'd think would fit, feel free to show 'em off.
Actually, on that note, I think that IF I could convince my dad to be inside only and to fence in part of his yard or be very good about leashes, a greyhound from the Greyhound Pets of America would be an excellent match for him... but he'd have to change his views quite a bit. But gosh, the Minnesota chapter is amazing and I think they'd be excellent for finding him a good match.
I'll be visiting with him this week, so I'm going to talk to him about how he's feeling about a dog and at least see if I can work on the inside dog issue. I'm really hoping I can change his mind.
Thanks so much! Winter is coming up and I'd really like to find my dad a pal before the depression and loneliness of snow and cold sets in. Thank you all! <3