hi, i just put a deposit on a female gsd and expecting it in late fall and early winter. this will be my first dog ever. just want to ask some of you how have your social life had change after owning your first gsd or dog in general? i am single 29 and already past the party life style. i generally stay home but sometimes do go out to movies and bars with some of my friends on weekends. i enjoy doing outdoor activities a lot, camping, hiking, running and biking, and do plan on taking her w/ me for most of those activities. just want to know if there was a big change on your social life after owning your first dog. I guess this question is more for the people who were still single when you had your first dog.
can you still have a social life after owning gsd?
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Owning a dog shouldn't hinder your life, but in fact bring in more joy and fun times. In fact you may find your social life expand a little. You will meet other dog lovers and get together or may find your self going on hikes, parks and lakes. You can do all the normal the things you want to do in life, just make sure you properly care for puppy before leaving him home alone, such as, fresh water, make sure you feed him, he goes to the bathroom before you leave and of course, crate him to get him out of harms way.
Bringing home a dog, just means you have a constant companion. Congrats on your new puppy!
Bringing home a dog, just means you have a constant companion. Congrats on your new puppy!
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I was not single when I had my first dog, but I have noticed that I get a lot more people coming up to talk to me when I have my dog with me than I do when I'm just out by myself. I guess the dog is a good ice breaker. (Too bad I'm off the market ... *lol* ... I get a lot of very nice Coast Guard guys who want to "come pet the dog" when we're at the beach ....)
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Of course you can. I think I still remember being single.
it is like having a child. Except you can leave them alone.
You have to think of someone else. Takes a little more planning. It is very much worth it, though!!
Good luck and have fun!
Be sure to ask a lot of questions on this site and research. And understand what you are taking on with a puppy for your first dog! A GSD puppy.
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You did pick the best though.
it is like having a child. Except you can leave them alone.
You have to think of someone else. Takes a little more planning. It is very much worth it, though!!
Good luck and have fun!
Be sure to ask a lot of questions on this site and research. And understand what you are taking on with a puppy for your first dog! A GSD puppy.
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My parents were never dog people but told me "when your an adult, you can have as many dogs as you want." So when I was 18 I got my first pup (the chichi) and 20 when I got my second (beagle) and now here I am 22 with my first gsd
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My pups kept me outta trouble in college and im sure helped with my grades since I had to get home early to let them out. They also kept me fit by taking them on walks and they kept me sane when my fiancee was in iraq. They are my best friends
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life gets better with dogs!
thanks a lot for the responses. just don't know what to expect but definitely looking forward for the life style changes. i guess i will be doing different social stuffs from now on. i have been doing so much research from this site and others, it almost feels overwhelming. i know that these are the little sacrifice i will need to make if i want to raise the puppy properly.
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I've never not had a dog, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I did do the single girl with a dog thing during my twenties. It's a bit of a hassle when you want to spend the night away from home (can't do it, unless you can bring the dog) or when you want to take an impromptu trip or stay away for a long day, but it's all perfectly doable and the benefits more than made up for the hassle for me.
I was always walking or playing ball with the dogs in the field. Dogs are a great icebreaker - I met quite a lot of guys that way actually!
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I was always walking or playing ball with the dogs in the field. Dogs are a great icebreaker - I met quite a lot of guys that way actually!
haha, not that i will be using her to meet girls, but that's def one change i don't mind having.Originally Posted By: pupresqI was always walking or playing ball with the dogs in the field. Dogs are a great icebreaker - I met quite a lot of guys that way actually!![]()
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so as you can imagine, there are lots of benefits and lots of "ups" but a couple of the downs that i experience from time to time is 1 - not being able to be as spontaneous when your friends want to go places where dogs arent allowed or when you're on the other side of town and they want you to spend the night or continue to another location and i find myself saying quite frequently "i can't, i have to go home to the dogs". i was 18 when i got MY first gsd, so after 9yrs, i'm quite used to it.
the other thing - because gsd are big dogs and big shedders - i dont have as much company over because i dont want to have to deal with people who "like dogs" but arent "dog people" (ie: if you come over... you're going to get licked, you're going to have to use a lint roller before you leave, and you might get a soggy toy in your lap once or twice). i also have quite a few friends that are allergic, so they've never been able to stay at my place too long.
but those are the only two that come to mind... the rest is smooth sailing
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the other thing - because gsd are big dogs and big shedders - i dont have as much company over because i dont want to have to deal with people who "like dogs" but arent "dog people" (ie: if you come over... you're going to get licked, you're going to have to use a lint roller before you leave, and you might get a soggy toy in your lap once or twice). i also have quite a few friends that are allergic, so they've never been able to stay at my place too long.
but those are the only two that come to mind... the rest is smooth sailing
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There's no doubt that there's a change. You suddently have another responsibilty in your life, no more sleeping long watching movies in bed on sundays, no more hangovers, no more weekend trips (without the puppy), no more leaving clothes/things around (I find we are more tidy now as nothing can be left safely within reachable distance of the puppy) .. But of course it's worth it!
I can't believe I didn't have a puppy when I was single though, we have the first WGSD in this town and you cannot believe how many girls give us attention
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Good luck with your pup, and as already mentioned, this is the place to ask when (and I say when, not if) you have questions/get frustrated with your puppy
Cheers,
-Thomas-
I can't believe I didn't have a puppy when I was single though, we have the first WGSD in this town and you cannot believe how many girls give us attention
Good luck with your pup, and as already mentioned, this is the place to ask when (and I say when, not if) you have questions/get frustrated with your puppy
Cheers,
-Thomas-
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I am a single guy, and I have 4 dogs. I do lots of stuff, both with and without my dogs. I can't travel as easily, as 4 big dogs will not fit in a Chevy Aveo, so last month, I went and bought a 32 foot RV. Welcome to the board, there is alot of knowledge and experiance here, and you will learn alot, you will laugh and you will cry, and we will look forward to stories of your bumps and bruises, and laughs as you begin life with your new puppy.
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While I've always had dogs growing up, having one and living alone is a different thing. I got Megga because I live alone. It does make it where you do have to plan more if you are wanting to go out. For example, if I've been at school all day, I can't just go with my friends and hang out at their apartments or go out to dinner. However, that being said, I have met a lot of people because of Megga. People always want to know about her, and where I got her etc. Also if you are wanting to go out of town, and can't take the dog you have to find a place for them to stay, which can cost you some money if you don't have a friend or family who will watch them.
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There was not a big change for me but I never had much of a social life. All of my best friends live pretty far away so we see each other once or twice a year. I think I have MORE of a social life now because I'm in two training clubs and enter shows and trials so I meet more new people.
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I think I enjoy my social life more now I have the dogs! I am not a drinker so going out to bars is not my thing however through my training and agility clubs I go on walks with them, attend dog shows, out to dinner, BBQ's etc..Luckily most of my friends are dog people too so they understand about leaving the pooches for too long.
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well, i got my dogs when i was married, but there is that loss of vacationing and overnight stays that are lost. you have to weigh it out. do you want to be able to get up and go without responsibility? or would you rather have a loyal, obedient, loving, protector for a good 10 to 15 years? i now have 5 dogs and although hubbie gets ansy sometimes that we really can't go anywhere, i was never one for sleeping out or vacationing anyway. i'm happy being home. as far as the kids (i have a 14 year old daughter and a 9 year old son) i guess in a way they're losing out on things that they could be seeing and places they would be going, but again, statistics show that kids that are raised with dogs are more rounded, loving people and more mentally stable. so who knows, but i wouldn't give up dow ownership for anything in the world, especially my gsd!!!!
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I'm single with 3 dogs. There are some adjustments, as mentioned above. One thing I'm doing next week is going to a concert on a Monday night. Just so the dogs are okay, I'm taking the day off of work, so I'm with them most of the day and they won't notice so much when I leave at 5pm and don't come home until 1am.
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Your life does change but I think for the best.
I still go out with friends or DH and I have date night.
To be honest with you sometimes I'd rather be home with my babies then going out.
I still go out with friends or DH and I have date night.
To be honest with you sometimes I'd rather be home with my babies then going out.
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Another single guy with 4 dogs here... My social life has improved since I got into dogs, mostly because I'm a happier guy, I think.
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But seriously, you will have to think ahead (more than I was used to doing) and make accommodations for your dog when necessary. Hadn't considered a dog walker/sitter in the past, but I have one if I have to be away from home too long. Aside from that, I just plan out my time accordingly, happily giving priority to my dogs' needs.
BTW, since you're getting a puppy, her time needs will be much more than that of a mature adult. Then again, you'll want her involved in as many of your activities as possible--when she's got her shots and is old enough--so she gets properly socialized. And you will certainly attract attention with a beautiful GSD pup!
BTW, since you're getting a puppy, her time needs will be much more than that of a mature adult. Then again, you'll want her involved in as many of your activities as possible--when she's got her shots and is old enough--so she gets properly socialized. And you will certainly attract attention with a beautiful GSD pup!
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