BeardieNewbie15
Hatchling Member
So a few things to comment on...first is the topic of introducing beardies to dogs. I own a pug chihuahua cross and a shepherd cross and they are both different with Sheila. Murphy, the pug chi x, is intimidated by Sheila...he wants to sniff her but if she moves he backs off. Mataya, the shepherd cross, on the other hand will walk right up and stick her nose in Sheilas face, then walk away completely satisfied with the scent. However my boyfriends dog, who is a blue heeler, may go after a beardie. His uromastyx got out once and Chico (the dog) chased it under a shoe rack and most likely would have killed it if we hadn't got there first. But that is in his nature (chase and herd and bite at things) so I wouldn't expect that from your pug.
Second issue being the crate training. This may come off a bit rude but please don't take offence, I am just a dog lover and owner and I only want what is best for your dog. If you are out of the house from 4:30am to 4pm what made you think you had time for a dog, let alone a puppy? When we got our first dog, Mataya, she was only left in her crate while everyone was out of the house (from 9 am to 3 pm) Some days my mom would come home on her lunch break and let Mataya out and other days we would ask our neighboor to let her out around noon. Murphy, my small dog, was really hard to house train. The smaller the dog, the smaller the bladder. If you left your pug in a crate the entire time you were at work he/she would definately go to the bathroom in it, then be stuck in it until you got home. Do you have a neighboor or a friend near by that could come by and let the puppy out for a bit? You need to make sure you have enough time to properly train your dog. Many unwanted dogs from a shelter have agression issues, possesion issues etc, most of which could have been provented with proper training. Remember your pug is going to live for 12-14 years. If it isn't trained properly thats going to be a LONG 12-14 years! Even though I can tell you really want your dog and you want to do the right thing remember not to be selfish. A dog is a huge commitment, like a beardie! Good luck, any other questions please feel free to ask!
Second issue being the crate training. This may come off a bit rude but please don't take offence, I am just a dog lover and owner and I only want what is best for your dog. If you are out of the house from 4:30am to 4pm what made you think you had time for a dog, let alone a puppy? When we got our first dog, Mataya, she was only left in her crate while everyone was out of the house (from 9 am to 3 pm) Some days my mom would come home on her lunch break and let Mataya out and other days we would ask our neighboor to let her out around noon. Murphy, my small dog, was really hard to house train. The smaller the dog, the smaller the bladder. If you left your pug in a crate the entire time you were at work he/she would definately go to the bathroom in it, then be stuck in it until you got home. Do you have a neighboor or a friend near by that could come by and let the puppy out for a bit? You need to make sure you have enough time to properly train your dog. Many unwanted dogs from a shelter have agression issues, possesion issues etc, most of which could have been provented with proper training. Remember your pug is going to live for 12-14 years. If it isn't trained properly thats going to be a LONG 12-14 years! Even though I can tell you really want your dog and you want to do the right thing remember not to be selfish. A dog is a huge commitment, like a beardie! Good luck, any other questions please feel free to ask!