I am an older woman, living alone in a house with a fenced yard. I want to get a dog for companionship and trying to decide on what breed would be best for me. I want a smallish one, that doesn't shed, will be obedient, easy to train, doesn't bark a lot, and doesn't need to be walked, since I can't walk. Do you have any suggestions?

I recommend going to Dog Breed Selector and using it to start with. Try adjusting some of the factors (like size... you may find that a medium or even a large breed dog would suit you better than a small dog, for example) to see what breeds show up. After you do that, go and see if there is a rescue group in your area, and talk to them about the breed and see if you can meet them. Talking to people who actually have them gives you a better idea what they are like "in real life". And then, once you've narrowed it down to a specific breed, talk to the rescue about finding a dog that is the best fit for you, in specific.

I found my two little Pekingnese at our local SPCA. They shed a little, but not horribly, don't bark at all, don't need walking and love to be loved.

You might also check with your local rescue groups - the SPCA will have contact info. That way you will have a better idea of the dog's personality, etc.

There are also many breeds that can be easily trained to assist you, if you have mobility issues.

Oh, and one thing to be very frank about when talking to the rescue is the amount of exercise you can give the dog. All dogs need some exercise, and if they don't get enough, that's when you can start getting into trouble with destructive behavior. You may be able to think of alternatives to walkig the dog, such as playing fetch in the backyard, or hiring one of the local kids to take the dog out for a walk a couple times a week.

Hi forgiven, I read some of your other post. I believe that a dog would be so perfect for your situation. Dogs help us out so much. They are such a comfort and joy. I can not imagine me living my life with out one. . Try this website. I adopted a dog from here and they also take in some of the stray dogs and cats that I find. Give them a call and they will help you find a suitable match. Good luck Petfinder.com: Adopt a pet and help an animal shelter rescue a puppy or kitten.

I was working on an answer when I was called away. Several people have suggested some of what I had written, but I am posting it as I wrote it.

The shedding issue may be easier to work with than the rest. Some dogs have more of a fur rather than hair. Poodles, Yorkies, Bichon Fries, Schnauzers, and maybe some others shed less. You will find ones that don't bark much and are easy to train within any breeds although some are worse that others. Most, say Beagles, would be a poor choice for you.

American Kennel Club - akc.org and Pet Food: Premium, Healthy Pet Food | Purina.com have breed selector pages on their site. You
Might try them. Don't take a recommendation for some obscure, hard to find
Breed too seriously. Once you have some breeds you are interested in check with a rescue for them.

These are dogs that lost their home, but were taken into a foster home
To be retrained as necessary and placed in the right home for them. You may
Find a rescue near you starting at
American Kennel Club - Breed Rescue dog dogs puppy puppies The rescues charge a fee to help cover their expenses, but is much less than the price of a puppy plus all its medical expenses the first year. I would not suggest a puppy for somebody that couldn't walk. You need to be able to run. No matter how carefully you select one, it could turn out to be a recalcitrant barker. Let a rescue match you to a dog. Perhaps one that didn't work well with little kids, cats, or maybe people just lost interest in it when it was no longer a fun little puppy.

Forgiven something else to keep in mind is if you get a dog that is called a last chance dog.These dogs may can be elderly. Some of them are younger dogs that may have medical issues. Not always life threatening, maybe things like chronic ear infections, where medicine has to be administered on a regular basis. The shelters that I am in touch with continue to pay for their medical care after they are adopted. They are just happy for these dogs to find people that are willing to love them and dedicated to give them their meds each day. There may also be dogs on this list that have been in the shelter for to long. For instance the dog I adopted was black, I took her because I was told that black dogs get adopted out at a lesser rate than other dogs(plus she was a cutie pie and I just wanted a dog to love, but oddly enough black would not have been my first choice, I like tri colored dogs. I am not trying to force you, I only want you to understand that there are many many fine dogs that have different needs looking for a good, and loving home. I am so excited at the possibility of a shelter dog finding a new home.

Thank you all for the great advice. I will look at all those websites and follow your advice. I told you that I can't walk but what I meant was that I can't walk very well or very far. I am lucky to manage myself much less a dog but I can throw and he could have the yard for exercise. Thanks again. This is so kind of you.

I'd recommend a toy poodle mix, or a toy poodle. Poodles have a non shedding coat, they may drop a couple hairs here and therebut that don't shed emense ammounts like many other dog breeds. They are smart, sweet and LOVE attention and giving attention. =)

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Originally Posted by Forgiven

I am an older woman, living alone in a house with a fenced yard. I want to get a dog for companionship and trying to decide on what breed would be best for me. I want a smallish one, that doesn't shed, will be obedient, easy to train, doesn't bark a lot, and doesn't need to be walked, since I can't walk. Do you have any suggestions?

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My dad wanted the same thing so he bought this great big ceramic dalmatian named Max. Sorry, couldn't resist! :) As for your breed choice, my immediate thought was a toy or miniature poodle. They have hair, not fur, are very bright, and thus, easy to train. As for barking, most breeds don't bark by nature (MOST). A barking dog problem usually starts with the handler. They like to run and play, but you could do that with a ball in the backyard, and perhaps think about some agility training.

However, I wonder if an older dog, as suggested above, might be perfect for you? Sometimes a senior has a dog for a number of years, then the senior becomes unable to look after them due to health, physical/mental limitations, or death and we have a six to 12 year old dog mourning the loss of it's best friend. It's good, because they are already trained, usually calmer dogs thus requiring less exercise.

I know someone mentioned Petfinders. I have fostered for various organizations at Petfinders and it is a wonderful site. However, like all good things, there is bad along with it. I think you need to be very careful because sometimes they pretend to know the dogs, but actually know very little about their temperments and behaviors. A fairly high number of them suffer from separation anxiety which you definitely don't want to be dealing with in your situation. I also know there have been 'bogus' organizations posted there. In fact, I was involved in trying to assist police in charging one of them but they ran before they were caught... for the second time that we know of. Never give out ANY money until you have the dog in your possession and insist upon a receipt. (That was a Bull Mastiff rescue.)

I can't wait to hear what you decide to do! I think you are making a wise decision.

Hugs, Didi

I am not sure why it took me so long to bring up service dogs. Depending on your condition, you may qualify for a service dog. They can be trained to do many things to assist people. Do you find doors to public places difficult? Hook a strap over the handle with a loop on the other end, and the dog pulls the door open for you and holds it until you are through. If you have balance problems, the dog can wear a harness with a handle to hold on to or pull yourself back up if you fall. They can turn light switches on and off. They can go in the other room and fetch the phone, and maybe dial 911. Two of the puppies we have raised are assisting the mobility impaired. One is a severely impaired person in a wheelchair, but the other can walk with a cane.

Funding varies with different programs. In many programs the dog and training are free, although you may be expected to help with fund raisers. For more info on assistance dogs see www.disabilitygateway.com/animals.htm#ao and International Association of Assistance Dog Partners Some of the organizations also supply trained companion dogs, although those dogs don't have access rights like the full service dogs. Most service dogs are larger than I think you wanted, but they are carefully trained to be gentle and friendly.

Poodles do not shed, easy to train. If you want small, the toy poodle is 10 inches and under and the miniature poodle is 11-15 inches. All dogs do need to be walked some.

Well, I wanted to let you know that I got my puppy! He's a pure bred miniature schnauzer and just as precious as can be. He is a rescue dog but was not a stray and was not without a family very long. His family couldn't keep him and relinquished him to the shelter. I got him just a couple days after that. He's 10 months old, mostly house broke (hasn't had an accident but does submissive peeing when he meets someone new or gets excited. Is there anything I can to about that or will he outgrow it?)

My main problem right now is getting him to eat. They gave me a bag of food and he absolutely will not eat it. I had some puppy food here (different brand) and gave him some of that. He just ate a little of it. What can I do to get him to eat?

Thank you for your answers. You have been such a help to me!

BTW, I have a big fenced in yard and he gets plenty of exercise running from one end of it to the other until he is bushed! LOL

Very good! Chances are, he will start eating in a day or 2, they say some puppies are that way. Trust me, none of my Labs ever were. Read through the sticky starting at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251802

Thanks for the link. I will study that. I appreciate all you've told me. Bless you all!

Well, I have a silly question to ask now. I love my little Dudley and he has certainly filled a certain hole in my life. He is still a puppy and we are working out all those puppy things. He is very smart and very playful -- loves his toys and loves to play outside. I wouldn't trade him for anything.

Here's my silly question. He doesn't wag his tail for me. I know he can wag because when he goes after another dog -- wow -- he goes crazy and that is one to the things we are working on -- anyway, he wags ferociously. I know he loves me but he just doesn't wag. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

That's strange. Actually wagging the tail is not an indication of happiness, but excitement. Perhaps you are there so much, it just doesn't excite him when you give him attention.

Thanks. That's good news that he is calm around me. I do think he had some abuse and confusion before coming to my house because it took some time for him to trust me. He still crouches when he sees my hand come close to his head (as when I am taking his leash off). I think he trusts me now though. He must be remembering what happened to him before and I hope he forgets that soon.

Thanks for your answer.
Forgiven

I have a shih-tzu who sounds like he would be the perfect dog for you! LOL, though, I'm not willing to give him away! However, a shih-tzu makes a GREAT companion! Just remember, with non-shedding dogs, comes grooming instead. I have to take mine in about once every 2 months or so for a haircut. There is no way he'll sit still enough for me, so if you aren't near a groomer or can't get to a groomer, a non-shedding dog may not be the way to go.

My DIL is a groomer -- has a shop of her own and is very busy. She has already told me that she will do the grooming. Thanks for the advice. :) :)