GeorgieB Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Hi guys, As I am renting where I am not able to keep Dogs, I have a huge amount of time to prepare for one while we save up to move. I am using this time to learn as much as I can! So I was wondering, What do you wish you knew before you got your Dog? Or even what do you wish OTHER people knew before they got their Dogs? It could be anything from certain training methods, something you taught your dog that would have been useful from the start or equipment you wish you had from the start like a crate etc. or How to deal with certain behaviours, absolutly anything. I'm not very good at thinking up examples ... but thats why I'm asking you guys One thing I wish people knew about before getting a dog is DOL forums, They have certainly been a massive source of information for me and I am glad I found it first! Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 That a badly run puppy preschool can do more harm than good. Not necessarily what I wished I knew as such but with the second puppy I make sure I step in if I don't think a situation is good for her, whether that is people playing with her, or other dogs. With the first dog I wasn't as confident with this and I do regret it because I think it caused a few issues. I think it's also worth reading up on canine body language so that you can read if your dog is uncomfortable or nervous etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrie Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I had never heard of fear periods so I would have liked to have seen the puppy develpement calender that is a sticky in the puppy forum. That is ok to do your research tell the vet if you are not comfortable with something. Such as not having the 3 year c5 vaccination and 12 month heartworm injection in the same consult. Not to think undesired behaviours are going to resolve themselves or keep using ineffective methods to no result. Now if I felt I was not making progress with something I would get help sooner rather than later before they have become more learned and more ingrained. Get more puppy photos and really realise how quickly the puppy stage flies by. Enjoy every minute and make the most of that time to help your pup grow into a well adjusted and well behaved dog. It has been stated on here many times but I think it is excellent advise....."Start how you intend to continue". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 That it would eventually lead me into the world of Rescue and I would end up spending my life wiping up wees off my floors and hosing down my deck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetty Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I only knew basic things. Socializing and Training I wish I knew more about though. My boy has turned a bit fear aggressive and I can think of better ways I could of handled past issues due to information I have learned on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyB Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I wish I knew that I would never be allowed to go to the toilet alone again. It's nice that she wants to be with me, but I really don't need help with that! It has been stated on here many times but I think it is excellent advise....."Start how you intend to continue". I think this is the most important piece of advice you can give anyone looking to buy a dog. Also research vets and trainers, there can be a huge variation between the price and quality of people around - just because the are more expensive doesn't mean they are better than people with cheaper fees (and visa versa). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 (edited) 1. That where you buy your dog from matters as much as the breed or crossbreed of the dog. Good breeders set a pup up for life and offer a lot of support. 2. That a well trained dog doesn't mean just taking it to puppy preschool. I've been lucky.. I know others who havent' been. I started a thread on puppy buying. It's here. Edited January 8, 2010 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 (edited) Oh one more thing: I wish I'd known the kind of information on http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/digit...aining-textbook and about raw feeding. And about these forums too. Edited January 8, 2010 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 That even with the best training, it takes time. You have to be patient. Far to many people give up too early, especially when they hit the teenage years. One of my pet peeves is when someone is struggling and a poster will say how they have a fully house-trained dog at 14 weeks. Differnt dogs progress at different paces. Invest in a good mop and white vinegar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 That not all dogs want to play with other dogs. And that is OK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyB Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Oh, just wanted to add too - Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you train or socialise your dog, some instinctive behaviours will happen anyway. (I have an pitbull X, she was socialised and trained from the day we got her, she is very well behaved and until 18 months she was great with other dogs. Then she started showing DA behaviour for no reason other than the fact that she is a pitbull. It was just lucky that I had done the reseach when I got her and recognised what was happening, I got a trainer in to help out and we have been able to avoid any major incidents. She is still very well behaved and adores being around people, just can't have her with other dogs) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 (edited) Great replies guys, some stuff I havent thought about yet! Not necessarily what I wished I knew as such but with the second puppy I make sure I step in if I don't think a situation is good for her, whether that is people playing with her, or other dogs. With the first dog I wasn't as confident with this and I do regret it because I think it caused a few issues. This is something I know I will have to push myself for. I'm generally not an overly confident person, another reason why I want to learn as much as I can so I can recognise these situation and know when to put a stop to it. That is ok to do your research tell the vet if you are not comfortable with something. Such as not having the 3 year c5 vaccination and 12 month heartworm injection in the same consult. Similar to above, vaccinations and shots is something I need to put alot more research into than I have so far, Thanks That it would eventually lead me into the world of Rescue and I would end up spending my life wiping up wees off my floors and hosing down my deck I'm sure wiping up wees is only a minor side effect of the Amazing and rewarding work you do!! I started a thread on puppy buying. It's here. ... I wish I'd known the kind of information on http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/digit...aining-textbook and about raw feeding. Your puppy buying thread is great! I'm surprised I hadn't seen it yet. Thanks for the Link, what a good site What to feed is something I'm still looking into too. Edited January 8, 2010 by Kahlua Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 That you need to be a strong advocate for your dog when dealing with vets and trainers, as you know the dog best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 (edited) Kahlua, your personality type should influence the breed and personality of the pup you buy. If you're not a particularly assertive person, avoid more dominant breeds and individual pups. Some people thrive on living with the kinds of dogs who want to push the envelope every day about what's acceptable behaviour and who is leader. I'm not one of them. Edited January 8, 2010 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 Kahlua, your personality type should influence the breed and personality of the pup you buy. If you're not a particularly assertive person, avoid more dominant breeds and individual pups.Some people thrive on living with the kinds of dogs who want to push the envelope every day about what's acceptable behaviour and who is leader. I'm not one of them. That makes sense, my parents dog was the last dog I lived with and she was an exessively shy and submissive dog and wouldn't dream of pushing boundries. I imagine any well bred dog (she was from PP) is going to be a massive step up from her but it is definately something I am looking forward to. I tend not to be overly confident more when it comes to dealing with people, and this is the situation where I know I'll need to push myself to stop how someone might be interacting with my dog or discussing something I am not comfortable with that my Vet suggests. I feel I would be more confident in working with my dog than I would be with people. Thankyou Poodlefan, thats made me think much more about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 (edited) Kahlua, your personality type should influence the breed and personality of the pup you buy. If you're not a particularly assertive person, avoid more dominant breeds and individual pups.Some people thrive on living with the kinds of dogs who want to push the envelope every day about what's acceptable behaviour and who is leader. I'm not one of them. That makes sense, my parents dog was the last dog I lived with and she was an exessively shy and submissive dog and wouldn't dream of pushing boundries. I imagine any well bred dog (she was from PP) is going to be a massive step up from her but it is definately something I am looking forward to. Some purebred dogs will probably be way more than you're willing to deal with. If you wanted to avoid owning a fairly tough, independent dog rather than a more biddable one, there'd be breeds to recommend you avoid and some to steer you towards. That said, individual puppy selection is also important and that's why its important to buy from a knowledgeable breeder. Edited January 8, 2010 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BittyMooPeeb Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 One think I wish I knew before I got my dog is just how wonderful life would be with one. So wonderful in fact that I would end up with many more than 1. If I knew this before I started I would have sent different rules. One dog is OK on the bed/sofa, but 6 is impossible. One dog who graze feeds is fine, more than one and you have trouble. etc. So basically my advice is to set the rules for your dogs based on minimising change if more dogs come along, or kids, or partner etc :-D Second thing I wish I knew (pre cat purchase) is that it is as important to investigate the breeder as it is to investigate the dogs. And to know the difference between someone who calls themselves a breeder and a reputable, registered breeder. Third thing - research potential heath problems and be firm in asking for health test results of sire and dam for things that concern you. Best of luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrie Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I have found training my dogs has actually helped my confidence. There are quite a few well meaning people you will bump into that might tell you all sorts of things like "let the dogs sort it out for themselves" when introducing your dogs who have never met or in over rough play that "it is ok cos they are just playing". Trust yourself and your dogs body language and know that if it doesn't feel right then don't allow it. I don't nessessarily think that not having a great amount of confidence with people always equates to not having enough confidence with a more dominant dog. You just need to honestly assess your own capabilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agility Dogs Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I often say to my wife that I wish I'd known how many single people do dog sport...... Seriously: That puppy farms are evil and that pedigree dogs are not just for dog show snobs. (Learned that the hard way.) That exercise is not enough to keep working dogs satisfied. That I prefer positive methods to coercive techniques. I wish I'd know about BARF. That to train a dog you have to think like one - any attention is good attention and reinforcement for behaviour. That they would chew everything in sight until they were 18 months old. That socialisation is not throwing dogs into a dog park and watching them play nice. That I should have been saving for the last 20 years to buy all the stuff I want from Clean Run. That obedience is not about discipline for the dog, it can be about fun. That I should have bought a block that was flat instead of on the side of a hill. I'm sure there's more, but that a pretty good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I often say to my wife that I wish I'd known how many single people do dog sport...... Seriously: That puppy farms are evil and that pedigree dogs are not just for dog show snobs. (Learned that the hard way.) That exercise is not enough to keep working dogs satisfied. That I prefer positive methods to coercive techniques. I wish I'd know about BARF. That to train a dog you have to think like one - any attention is good attention and reinforcement for behaviour. That they would chew everything in sight until they were 18 months old. That socialisation is not throwing dogs into a dog park and watching them play nice. That I should have been saving for the last 20 years to buy all the stuff I want from Clean Run. That obedience is not about discipline for the dog, it can be about fun. That I should have bought a block that was flat instead of on the side of a hill. I'm sure there's more, but that a pretty good start. The bolded one for me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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