Mike, when you check out a dog let the dog choose you , get down and just wait, if the dog comes to you and after scratching a bit it sets down or leans on you you got your self a mutt, if the dog ignores you,,well,,, keep looking. If you got to the pound, which I suggest you do, get 3 or 4 dogs in a open area and just wait, one of them most likely will pick you as his friend.
Good advice, thanks.
Mike
Over the last 20 years we had 16 dogs (actually 3) in our farm, most picked from the animal rescue place. The ones that were most thankful were the ones we picked up ill at an age between 6 month and 4 years and nursed. Mix breads normally gave/give less trouble with vets (becomes expensive) and nervous behaviour. Educate a Spaniel or worse a Terrier is hopeless (at least I never had success with them, but might that have to do with my own character? Might I have been a Spaniel in a former life?). One Terrier back home in Germany ended in the grain harvester after chasing a rabbits for 2 hours....
Some dogs were hopeless for not to chase chicken, go into the bars for "bocas" or bark all night long. With those there was no other change then find them a new home.
I guess small to medium size dogs are perfect sidecar companions. Our Irish setter bread had her troubles with fast bends because of mass inertia, anyhow she loved to go with us into the mountains for to run beside the rig with 35 km/h, or hike into the wilderness.
The tip to let the dog choose you as companion sounds very reasonable to me and seeing it in retrospective in deed the most loving dogs choose us, not we them.
For me the 5 years at University without animals in house were the worst ones and since we have the farm the little time per day I spend with the animals is most satisfying. and the rides into mother nature with them is real "Quality time".
Best wishes
Sven
If I hadn't been able to put my name on Archie's paper when he was still on the truck as he arrived at the shelter, I'd never have been the first name and he wouldn't be my buddy today. After the five days was up and as I was doing the final paper work to bring him home, a lady behind the counter was chewing me out. "Two things," she said. What's that? "Normally we don't let people in the kennels with the dogs." I'd been going in every day and sitting in his cage with him. Then she said."It's extremely unusual for a Boxer to be adopted by a member of the general public." She went on to explain (with an attitude) that normally Boxer rescue groups take them. It was a while before I realized hers was the signature under mine to adopt him. In the time that I was checking the four shelters before he came in, there were lots of dogs who would have adopted me. One little German Shepard in particular would make eye contact and all but ask me to take him home. I even took a friend in who had just lost his elderly pup to try to convince him it would be a good thing. Every day when I'd go in to check on Archie there would be a small group of people standing at his kennel watching him. He'd be one of the very few dogs not barking but rather looking around as if thinking, "What's the matter with these damn fools? Don't they ever shut up?!!" He's been my buddy now for a little over eight years. He was two when he was brought into the shelter.
Like was already said start young. "Cookie" was a shelter dog 9 months old. She is now 3 and has been trained to a crate. She goes to work with me and tolerates hack good. the back door is covered nwith plexiglas. It will have a fan for summer.
Good luck
Hi Redbarn did you make that Rig especially for your Dog? I am thinking if I do end up with a Dog that will be my Second Best Friend, my Son is #1, I figured I could take out the Bottom Seat and there would be plenty of room for a medium to large Dog, thanks for your reply.
Mike
Hi Tom I got a Reply from a person who has a Boxer up for adoption but has not called me back, My Son is excited that I might be getting a Dog, we are both Riders and no close Family so we are both hoping that we can get a good Dog that can ride in the Sidecar so we can go Camping, Hiking, and other outdoor activities, I guess I just have to get Lucky and had so many Guys on here reply to me on this subject and I have allot of info to hopefully find the right Dog,
Thanks Tom.
Mike
Mike, the hack is a Dauntless Enduro. I removed the pedistal seat/box. Only takes 10 minuts to change over. Cookie is only 35 lbs so there is some sand bags under box. The dogbox is a medium ? with insulated cover. Bought it at Sportsman Warehouse. I had to cut a small hole for one of the mounts. She wan'ts to be with me so she rides. It's great.
