Thinking about getting a dog

[Shaytun]

I'm thinking about getting a dog as the title says. But I was wondering what kind do people recommend?
I really want a German Shepard. Or a Husky.
If I can't find either of these at the pound I'm satisfied with a lab. Not really interested in others unless they're overwhelmingly cute <3

Anyways, I was reading up on training a German Shepard it seems simple enough though perhaps costly?
The site suggested simple things as eating your dinner in front of the pup and only after do you feed it this establishes "your place as the alpha of the pack."
And to have it follow you when it attempts to enter a doorway ahead of you, step in front of it and then call it.
Then basic praise and scold. "Yes! Good boy attack the neighbor's cat." or "No! Bad boy don't eat my newspaper."
Is this the basics or would I have to do obedience? What I'm asking is it not a primary thing to take them there?

My cousin has a husky. He says his is very, very energetic (I've seen it) after a three mile run the dog goes berserk and runs across the house. They're rather big and I couldn't spend enough time to burn it's energy. Is this how it is with all huskies? I've seen calmer ones but perhaps they were just relaxed.

[no.ordinary.dreamer]

Beagles are really good dogs
The basics that you listed should be fine if you get a good dog
You can tell if a dog will be easy to train or not.
He will be easy to train and well behaved if:
he looks away/wont make eye contact of you stare him directly in the eyes (if he stares back he thinks he is the alpha)
he doesnt bark much
pull on his ears and tail (if he bites or growls at you he thinks he is in control if he just lets you do it that means he thinks you are the boss)

[TheLittleNinja]

My opinion simply.... ALL dogs can be trained.
A badly behaved dog is always the owners fault.

A working dog will always need more exercise than a show style dog. Both GSD's, Huskies and Lab's are working dogs. However, a good hour's exercise should be fine for GSD's and Labs. (Note: Lab's are prone to becoming fat)

Obedience is common sense. If you don't want the dog to do something say NO firmly. If it does something right, phrase it with treats or play time.

There are loads of training books out there - or alternatively I'm always happy to answer questions

[Nutty Nat]

depends on your lifestyle pattern really,e.g. how long you and your family are going to leave it on its own,money for food,vet bills,insurance,bed,etc. How much time you have to train it,and if your going to get a dog for a good reason not a bad one and if your going to a good place not a puppy farm,shelters are good places and pounds.Also your future plans like uni,college,jobs. Also who would look after the dog while you are away cause not many places accept dogs and you can't take them abroad with you.
Also to answer your question if the dog is a working dog then it will need alot of exercise,and stimulation e.g. collies need lots of exercise and stimulation due to they high energy levels.

here is a few websites to help you decide but don't rush into buying a dog as too many end up in a pound,shelter,or put down because they are too aggressive and lets face it people don't want an older dog that are in shelters etc, or they don't want one that needs lots of training.
http://www.dogplay.com/GettingDog/choosing.html

[Klutz]

I've heard German shepherds usually need leg surgery in their aging years.
My grandma trains dogs and used to have 5 or 6 German shepherds.
All of hers needed surgery. :c
They're my favorite dogs though. <3

[Sidhe.]

I wouldn't recommend any type of dog until I know a bit more about what you're looking for.

For example, how energetic do you want your dog to be?
Have you ever owned a dog before?
Are you looking for a lap dog, agility dog, running companion?
Do you have any other pets?

One thing I will recommend, however, is going to the local pound, animal shelter, etc, and talking to the people there. They should be able to help in matching a dog with your needs. And finally, (not that I'm suggesting you would, but) please don't get a dog based on looks. Temperament is much more important.

[Shaytun]

Originally Posted by x.Psychic Crisis.x

I wouldn't recommend any type of dog until I know a bit more about what you're looking for.

For example, how energetic do you want your dog to be?
Have you ever owned a dog before?
Are you looking for a lap dog, agility dog, running companion?
Do you have any other pets?

One thing I will recommend, however, is going to the local pound, animal shelter, etc, and talking to the people there. They should be able to help in matching a dog with your needs. And finally, (not that I'm suggesting you would, but) please don't get a dog based on looks. Temperament is much more important.

A quiet, nice dog, friendly, mild obedience. Nothing like "sick! Bring paper!" just like "shut up" and "come here".

Not overwhelmingly energetic.
I have not.
Running/companion.
Cats. But I won't when I move out. There'll be a lizard but he's in a cage.

I plan on adopting from the pound. No, I know what you mean. Cute, friendly dog.

[Tess*]

Originally Posted by Shaytun

They're rather big and I couldn't spend enough time to burn it's energy. Is this how it is with all huskies? I've seen calmer ones but perhaps they were just relaxed.

Yeaa all of those big dogs need tons and tons of exercise. If you're not willing to give it that, get a medium sized dog, there's lots of nice ones.

[The Man And XX Master]

Originally Posted by no.ordinary.dreamer

Beagles are really good dogs
The basics that you listed should be fine if you get a good dog
You can tell if a dog will be easy to train or not.
He will be easy to train and well behaved if:
he looks away/wont make eye contact of you stare him directly in the eyes (if he stares back he thinks he is the alpha)
he doesnt bark much
pull on his ears and tail (if he bites or growls at you he thinks he is in control if he just lets you do it that means he thinks you are the boss)

Any dog will retaliate if you pull on its tail or pull on its ears. Maybe if you do it gently, a dog may not mind but keep pulling harder and any dog will retaliate. They may not all bite but some may move away, others may get pissed at you and growl and others would want to pick the bones of your arm out of its teeth. It's nonsense.

Huskies are working dogs and all of them will need lots and lots of exercise. If not, they'll tear up the house for their fun. If you have a near-by dog park, then that's ideal for a husky. I bring my dog there who is part husky (according to some vets and the shelter, others disagree) and it works wonders. Also, get a few good solid dog combs because when they shed, it's a hell of a lot and you don't want all that stuff around the house. Calmer ones are either older, already played with or not yet needing to run and work.

German shepards are also dogs that need a lot of exercise but they're much smarter than huskies so they're easier to train. They're roughly the same size as huskies though.

The site's advise is something you want to do for many dogs, not only German Shepards. Dogs have a pack-like mentality and whoever is at the top is the boss. If you're not at the top, then the dog isn't going to obey you much. You need obedience training for any dog. There are different ways to go about doing this and training for certain things, such as not to go in a certain room even if door is open and food on ground.

Before training a dog, you've got to train yourself to know what to do. For example, if you want the dog to come, you don't ask the dog to come, you tell it to come. Likewise, all dogs get restless after too much constant training, which is when it's great to take them for a run. You've also got to give rewards or punish properly because the dog will not know why even if you know. If you come home and the dog took a crap on the carpet an hour ago, yelling at it will make it think not to greet you when you come home, not that you're pissed over the pile of crap.