What are the negatives and positives of keeping a dog?
As most people have said, the positives are many: a non-judgemental friend who will love you unconditionally, never willingly leave you for another, always listen to your problems without interrupting, get you out of the house for walks and play. They’ll help you to make new, two-legged friends, because strangers will often approach a cute dog more readily than a cute human! You’ll be forced to think of another living creature other than yourself, and I consider that a great benefit, as anything that can make us more compassionate is a big bonus in this world.The negatives are that, unless you have a nice, fenced outdoor space, you’re going to have to go out for walks at times you may not find convenient, i.e., when it’s cold and raining or snowing, when it’s so hot you can barely move, in the middle of the night when you have to leave your warm, cozy bed if your new friend is sick, and, sometimes when you are sick as well. You will spend money like water on dog food and toys and vet bills from time to time. Vacations will be more difficult, because you’ll need to either find a reliable person or kennel to watch over your friend, or carefully plan vacations in pet-friendly areas so you can take her with you. Depending on the breed of dog you get, you will soon have a large collection of pet hair EVERYWHERE and on EVERYTHING. But this will bother you less than it will non-pet owners! And, worst of all, barring something unforeseen, you will have to say good-bye to your best friend long before you are ready to do so!Overall, for me, the benefits will outweigh the negativities.
Do dogs get lonely?
Yes, they do get lonely. Dogs are pack animals, that means they want to be with others all the time. They will bond to humans if they don't have another dog "playmate" It would be a wonderful idea to get him a buddy to play with. A Jack is a very active playful breed, so try to choose a pet that will be about the same size as your little man. Try to match their activity levels also, another Jack cross would probably be a good choice, or a larger sized Chihuahua. Just remember if you have a male and female...ONE WILL HAVE TO BE ALTERED or they will be having babies, which is a stress you will not want.
How can I cheer up my dog if it is sad and sick?
If your dog is sick then don't try to cheer him up. Consult a Vet to know the cause of his sickness and the treatment to be followed. So once he is out of his illness, he will automatically be cheerful.If your dog is just sad, not in a mood to play, then first thing is you should give it some time. Later on you can sit near him and just pamper him/her. Do unnecessary small small things like rubbing him with your hand, nudging, calling him with different names, giving some treats, showing some electronic toy, etc.Every dog is different, so u never know which thing will turn your dog ON.
Is it ok to put my dog in a cage at night?
It concerns me that your question seems so dry and cold. Most people refer to crates, not cages, which sounds more like a jail or a zoo. And I would inquire why you would want to crate (or cage) your pet at night, if you are home. When the dog is a young puppy, many people begin the house-training process by crating - usually this is temporary, while the puppy learns that you want him to relieve himself outdoors, and while his immature organs are strengthening, and he is gaining control of himself, which can be anywhere from 12 - 16 weeks, up to 6 months, depending on the individual puppy, and also the circumstances, diet, type of dog, and more.Many people use a crate to help a puppy feel secure and safe, and to enforce nap times after walks and play time, when a puppy is tired, and like small children, sometimes over-tired and wired. The crate can reinforce “nap time”. But for most dogs, once they are 6 or 7 months old, the door of the crate can come off, because they have come to view the crate as their “den”, and they will happily go in on their own, because it feels like their safe place, their bed. Many times, they will bring a toy in to chew, or just lay in the doorway, watching whatever’s going on in the house.While not everyone likes to have their dog sleep with them, most dogs, if given a bed, pillow, or blanket in your bedroom, will sleep there quite contentedly. One of my dogs, while quite welcome in my room, prefers to sleep in the living room, because he is protective of me, and of the house, and he can watch and listen to everything from there. Our German Shepherds were that way, while our Dobermans wanted to all be in the bed with us, which was always rather funny.But when I was growing up, my family didn’t want the dogs on the furniture, so they slept in beds or on folded blankets or large pillows. I never even saw a crate until I was about 50 years old! The only “cages” I knew were the ones at animal shelters, and those poor dogs and cats were just miserable being locked in them.So I would hesitate to say it’s OK without having a clearer picture of why you would want to do that - as well as what are the dog’s circumstances during the days - where is he, what is he doing, is he among people or at a dog day care, or going to work with you, and whether he is a destructive dog or not trustworthy.