As a cat owner of many years that adopted a indoor dog 2 years ago, here's what I learned:
- He gets along with my 2 cats a lot better than I ever hoped for (we got him as a puppy)
- House training is a lot of work! I literally felt like I was taking him outside every 30 minutes for the first 2 - 3 weeks.
- My German Shepherd sheds all year around, and I used to think cat hair was bad!
- Crate training was the best decision I ever made for him! He loves his crate, he sleeps in there, likes to take naps in there, eats in there (he's on the bones and raw food diet (B.A.R.F. diet), and goes there whenever he's afraid of something. I only lock him in there at night, and when I'm going to be away for more than an hour, otherwise I just leave the door open, and he goes in and out as he chooses.
- The biggest pain that I have is taking him outside for potty time during the winter since I hate cold weather. I can't wait until my yard is fenced in so I can just open the door and let him do his business.
- Dogs are (typically) more social than cats are. My cats mind their own business for the most part during the day, but my dog on the other hand follows me EVERYWHERE around the house. It's like he thinks that's his job or something.
- Dogs are great when you're lonely, bored, or need someone to talk to.