Jump to content
Search In
  • More options...
Find results that contain...
Find results in...

Welcome to American Indian Dogs

Register or login now and gain instant access to our features!

Aid Right For Me?


Recommended Posts

Hi, I'm new to the forum, and I'm from NJ. I had some questions about the AID. I have done a lot of reading on Kim's website,but I haven't contacted him yet. I live in the city, and I don't have a big backyard. Actually, it's pretty pathetic. I have two dogs, and they are an 11 yr old boxer, Princess, and a 5 yr old mini greyhound(or whippet, we're not sure) chihuahua mix, Coco. They are both great dogs, but we want to get another dog next summer, because Princess, our boxer, is starting to show her age, and our other dog Coco is pretty attached to her, so he will definetely need a companion. Both our dogs have been fine with our absense during the work day (no one is home from about 8:20 to about 4:00), and that is the reason we have to get a new dog in the summer, because someone will be home almost all day and almost every day, we only occasionally go on day trips, which are usually on our boat, and we would like to be able to bring our dogs but we never brought them when they were young, so they aren't really used to it, and it gets too hot for our boxer, but our other dog copes the heat much better, since he is younger. We also go camping twice a year, and we bring the dogs along and they enjoy it. We also go on a yearly, or every two year trip to Florida, we drive there, and we take the dogs and cats with us. As for exercise, we live three blocks away from the largest park in our city, which has a nice big field where we can let our dogs off leash. I have absolutely fallen in love with the American Indian Dog, and I want to know if they would be alright for my lifestyle. Thanks :D

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi and welcome. I have been on the forum for about 2 or 3 months and I recently got my first puppy. I can not speak for every dog, but mine requires lots of attention! My husband and I job share, so one of us is always home. I can not imagine what it would be like if she were home alone all day.

 

I would definately look around at the different topics here in the forum because I know of at least one other person who just recently posted the same question. Reading their responses will help you out and it will help prevent the moderators from having to repeat themselves. Just a few really good people to talk to (among many here) are Allison, JudyK, Miz Molly and Karen.

 

I also suggest you call or email Kim, after you read everything. He will be able to paint the best picture for you . I say after you read everything because that was Kim's recommendation to me when I was bugging him for information :D . The forum holds tons of good information and Kim gets a lot of unnecessary repetition. Definately contact him though. He is a really great guy. His wife Arlene is awesome also.

 

Again, I say welcome and good luck!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Bear in mind, "Chick's" reply is as the owner of a new pup. They don't need so much attention once they get older and mellow out, I promise! You do need to plan to be home more than usual when they are really young, but that is the case no matter the breed.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Bear in mind, "Chick's" reply is as the owner of a new pup. They don't need so much attention once they get older and mellow out, I promise! You do need to plan to be home more than usual when they are really young, but that is the case no matter the breed.

 

Hi! We are the current of three AIDs, awaiting our fourth, and have had six of these 'kids'. I always say upfront, having owned six, that this breed is not for everyone. As pups they need attention and direction but as Karen said as they age they mellow. They have their 'terrible twos' just like kids do. You do need to plan on being very accessible when they are young for the training. We were always lucky to live close to home and be able to run in and out before we retired. My husband was a Police Chief in a Detroit suburb and could check in every couple of hours. Our oldest now is 12, our next is 5 and the youngest is 2 and the new one will ship soon.

 

Read everything you can on this forum, from the training, the needs of the dogs at all ages and then contact Kim to discuss the breed in general. He has been breeding for over 40 years. He explains the need for GENTLE but tough love. The do require exercise. I've stated many places on the forum that we walk ours every day, no matter the weather, three miles in the morning and three miles in the evening. It's a must for them, something they require and look forward to, and it's a must for us!!!!! People in our village laugh at us and they call my husband 'the dog man'. It's extremely funny because when he worked everyone was petrified of him and no one even looked at him when he was out!

 

Again, read all that you can about the breed and determine if it is right for your lifestyle. Once the pup comes into your life, it's a true commitment because their life expectancy is 15 to 20 years!! If you decide to own one of the pups and it doesn't work out, Kim will take the pup back and replace it. This is one of his stipulations. Technically, they'll always belong to him as the breeder but they are ours to raise! When you think of it, he will always know where his 'kids' are!!!

 

Judy K in Northern Michigan

Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome Alyssanj to AID world. One little thing I would like to add, is that this breed seems to mellow around year 1. Big changes take place, at least this has been my experience. I have taken Tolinka to dog training to sharpen me not the dog. While there all the instructors (about 5 of them) all say that consistent training for about 15 minutes a couple of times a day will do the trick, plus the exercise as mentioned above. They (the trainers) too must have read "The Monks of New Skete" a great book on the subject. That first year is crucial, and the most difficult because most of us are training ourselves how to be that gentle alpha and use gentle tough love with these pups. It's kind of like the first 4 years for raising a child. At least this bread is not like some others where they don't mature out of puppy hood for two or three years...I just can't imagine that one. Read, read, read the depths of this forum. You will learn a ton of information. Good luck, and again welcome aboard.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Welcome Alyssanj to AID world. One little thing I would like to add, is that this breed seems to mellow around year 1. Big changes take place, at least this has been my experience. I have taken Tolinka to dog training to sharpen me not the dog. While there all the instructors (about 5 of them) all say that consistent training for about 15 minutes a couple of times a day will do the trick, plus the exercise as mentioned above. They (the trainers) too must have read "The Monks of New Skete" a great book on the subject. That first year is crucial, and the most difficult because most of us are training ourselves how to be that gentle alpha and use gentle tough love with these pups. It's kind of like the first 4 years for raising a child. At least this bread is not like some others where they don't mature out of puppy hood for two or three years...I just can't imagine that one. Read, read, read the depths of this forum. You will learn a ton of information. Good luck, and again welcome aboard.

 

 

I have Shunka, the puppy on the right hand side of the international logo, he is now 12 years old, and I have never regretted having him, this breed is a delight, not the easiest, but you have to be boss or they will be!

 

You may not find that the conventional dog training schools are the best way for your dog, or you may, depends on the dog! Shunka was a nightmare at training classes, he just wanted to socialise. Just like a collie said the trainer, difficult! Never having tried to train a collie I don't know! took on trianing him myself, it worked so much better one to one. he was quick to learn and eager to please, tried to get the better of me many times and succeeded too! We had fun and still do, he has slowed down a lot lately, can't get used to that, he should be in front not behind!

 

They can make you laugh, cry, be immensely proud of them too, Shunka was still described as being stunning at the weekend when we were doing a camp for Help the Heros, he attracts a lot of people who want to talk about him and know more, one lady came to see him especially as she met him last year!

 

Many are disappointed that they can't get a dog like him easily, as Sarah doesn't breed Storm and Skye now because of their age, and no-one has taken on her mantle, the cost and difficulty of bringing the dog's in to the UK is very expensive.

 

Research as much as you can, ask any questions I'm sure you will get an answer, good luck, but be very sure that these dogs are the best for you.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...