re: Thinking about adopting a dog (first time dog owner)

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If you don't have time don't get one.

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truer words have never been spoken.

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Don't leave it in a create 12 hours a day.

If you don't have time don't get one.

Frick these people who get a dog then leave it in a crate all day, let it out fro two hours then back to the crate, dogs need to run and play.

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This will fall on deaf ears.

When people want a dog, well I'll be damned im getting a dog!

They can hold it for typically one hour per month old. Puppy pads are bullshite. Get some good treats. Like someone said above, praise praise praise. If you whip it's arse well after they've messed up, it's doing nothing but making you feel better, then guilty. The dog has no idea.

Repetition for commands - each time they're successful you praise and give treat. they'll learn to associate the behavior with good things. My 7 month old shelter pup is generally a dumbass but he sits, stays, lays, speaks, shakes.

Dogs are like small children that never grow beyond a certain point. They'll love you unconditionally but if you want them to behave you have to learn how to communicate in ways they can understand (to some extent).

Walks - Walks for dogs are bonding experiences. A good walk or run is also a great idea before having some sort of training session (for dogs, a tired mind can be more receptive).

Establish boundaries - Just like small children dogs will test to see what they can get away with. Set your boundaries (ex: not being allowed on the furniture, no begging at the table, etc) and make sure everyone in the family sticks with it (so as to not send confusing signals).

If you want an inside dog, research house-training techniques beforehand because you want to start that the moment you get them home.

Training - Training classes are offered all sorts of places and a good trainer is worth their weight in gold. These classes will also involve you and/or other family members and as such also serve as bonding experiences for the dog.

Part of training is to talk to your dog. Dogs can learn a few words (and especially hand signals) if you communicate with them. They won't understand everything but if you constantly reinforce it (like saying "bathroom" to them when you see them using the bathroom outside, then giving them affection afterwards) they will eventually learn what certain words mean ("No" is another good one for them to learn).

Well we are halfway there already

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Thinking about adopting a dog

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Just to even think of doing something like this deserves much internet praise

I did it the first night I had mine and she never made a peep since. She's had no issues feeling safe in the crate. She lays in it all night with the door open.

I read all about it before I got the dog and different places said to do it to basically remind them you're right there. It's not a punch, more of a knock.

Adopting is the only way

A doggie door solves that problem. Would never be without one again.

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ETA: Hoping for a puppy so that I can be with it basically it's entire life. Living arrangements are apartment in Uptown New Orleans. So obviously I'll have to train it to be able to kill.

ETA: I'm a 23 year old who's home most nights. Pretty regularized 8-5 work schedule. I will probably wait at least until the end of football season as I go back for all of the games plus I have Tennessee coming up this week. Would it be good to get it over a long weekend so I can make sure initially to be home with it a lot as opposed to getting it after work one day and then essentially having to leave it early the next morning?

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These points change things a bit...

Don't get one, get two. While you're gone during the day they will keep each other company (dogs get lonely too), this will help lessen any acting out one might do (chewing, pissing on furniture, howling, etc) because you've left.

Something like Yorkies, Daschunds, Shih Tzus or even Pugs are ideal for apartment life. Anything bigger (depending on apartment size) and you (and they) may start feeling cramped.

For small dogs, get crates to leave them in while you are gone during the day. Try to walk them in the morning before work and then again once you get in from work (especially when they are young). Dogs LOVE routine, getting them in this one will help with house-breaking.