What Do You Wish You Knew Before You Got Your Dog?

[GeorgieB]

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.

My current breed interests are Border Collies or Kelpies, and while they are often described as biddable dogs I do expect to be pushed. I feel I will be able to deal with this and certainly will be doing everything in my power to do so. I am open to thoughts and other suggestions though.

I'm starting to get used to dog savvy people hesitating when I mention I'm after a working Dog, and I don't blame them considering the amount that end up in backyards with nothing to do.

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

I think my biggest challenge would be training my OH to live with more than one Good advice though Thankyou

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

This is something very important to me, with all I have read on these forums and the examples of my parents two previous PP dogs both in health and temperment, I am taking breeder selection very seriously. I have already been in contact with a couple in breeds im interested in and plan to meet more dogs and breeders at shows etc, before deciding.

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.

That is encouraging to hear Corrie, and sums up how I feel. The more I know the more confident I feel in that I will be able to deal with these situations acordingly. Thankyou

Edited January 8, 2010 by Kahlua

[NZVizsla]

That I should never have been convinced into getting another breed of dog. I had my heart set on a Vizsla 8 years ago, but family convinced me to go with something else.

That dog eventually got rehomed a year ago to people who love and know the breed, and accept her for what she is.

My two Vizslas are beyond fabulous and there were no surprises. I have it so good now that I'd be foolish to try another breed.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

That you need to be a strong advocate for your dog when dealing with vets and trainers, as you know the dog best.

Yes, this is one I was caught with - especially vets. I was someone who would trust absolutely whatever I was told by a professional and hand over the plastic no questions asked. Now I ask a ton of questions and if I'm not happy, I don't agree. Along the way I have changed vets. I have paid hand over fist for unnecessary treatments and things that I now know put my dogs at risk (heartworm injections, ugh) and my breeder's reputation at risk (misdiagnosis of degenerative heart disease).

Start as you mean to go on is also very good advice, but the other piece of essential advice is "if it's not working, get someone to check you're doing it properly. If you're doing it properly and it's not working, try something else".

On a more practical level, I wish I'd never bought that red velvet couch

[Red Fox]

The no 1 thing I wish I had known was how much damage a bad puppy school can do... I doubt I will ever attend another one I wish I had known more about nuetralising my puppy to other dogs rather than over-socialising him. It has caused me so many problems since and I recently heard from a local trainer that a lot of puppies who went through the same puppy classes are now showing up at obedience classes with similar issues

The no 2 thing that I wish I'd known is how much I would enjoy training my dog

Had I known this before-hand I think I would have ended up with a much higher drive dog that loves to go, go, go - rather than one that prefers to spend all day on the couch

The no 3 thing that I wish I had done was to listen to Steve from K9 Force when he told me to do his LLW program around 10 months ago (when I made my first post here about my naughty puppy lol). Instead I waited until October last year ...imagine all the time I could have saved if I'd done it back then!

[kiesha09]

I wish I'd known that I would always feel a tad guilty for leaving them when walking out the front door!

[Lady Flying Furball]

I wish I'd known that I would always feel a tad guilty for leaving them when walking out the front door!

Keisha voted my favourite cutesy avatar...

Now on topic, that dogs are such little mirrors!! And that I needed to set firm boundaries and not be so anxious if he was alright because he was alright!!

[Sezy]

It is up to me to protect my dog. There was a reason why none of the trainers would let my ex friends dog play at off lead time at dog training. Was nice and gave in over the christmas break and my lovely playing dog has never been the same since. 6 years on and one of the trainers still tells me it was a stupid move.

[Dogsfevr]

I dont have any,i am happy to say the people we dealt with where very up front & honest & our owne reserach meant no surprises .

Although the one thing we stress to our puppy owners

** Your buying a dog not a baby human** & treat it with the respect it deserves

[Crazy Daisy]

The main one I keep forgetting and have to remind myself about with each puppy I get is that adolescents is a stage. After each dog passes I look back and think they were brilliant all the time until my OH reminds me about all the times when they were younger when they pulled clothes off the line, stole and ate clothes, dug huge holes to China etc. But they all grew out of it.

I don't stress about it as much and realise that it is just a stage and I have to be persistant with my training and they will grow up to be great members of the family for many years to come.

[tdierikx]

I'm with Cynthia on the wonderful world of cleaning up rescue dogs' messes... I foster pups, so mucky crates just come with the territory there... *grin*

The number one thing I wish I knew before I got a dog is how wonderful a crate can be... I'm a firm believer in crate training now that I foster...

Other things include:-

a. Labradors can be very chewy... mine chewed my walls, the doorframes, and various other items for ages!! she's nearly 4 now, and only chews occasionally now...

b. The love and respect you give your best friend is returned a thousandfold.

c. Having lots of large dogs can come in very handy for cold winter nights when the power goes out and your electric blanket doesn't work!

d. Picking and training your vet is almost as important as choosing and training your dog - YOU know the dog - THEY need to listen to what you are saying as well as what the dog is displaying.

e. Don't ever be alarmed at what you find in your dog's droppings when doing the daily poo patrol - it's simply amazing what can pass through... errr!

f. Dogs can be just like us in that they are all individuals - find what works best for YOU and your best friend, and you will be rewarded with a wonderful companion.

Above all - ENJOY your dog - don't OWN it...

T.

[GeorgieB]

c. Having lots of large dogs can come in very handy for cold winter nights when the power goes out and your electric blanket doesn't work!

[Cuchulain]

:D Don't leave the bog roll on the holder - put it where the dog can't get to it...that has to be my biggest lesson so far I think. After 20 or more years of only being a slave to cats, none of whom ever showed the slightest inclination to trash toilet paper, my illusions have been shattered!

Secondly don't ever leave the toilet door open, especially if you intend trying to use said bog roll (now residing up on the window sill!)

Thirdly - I didn't expect to have to buy a bigger bed BUT let's face it, me (and I'm not small) 2 cats and a growing Ridgie just don't fit on a three-quarter bed and I think that is only going to get worse by the week!

I think the best thing I have learned since Max's arrival is the meaning of unconditional love! He doesn't care what's happening in my life - he just loves me! It has truly been the most wonderful thing! I wish I'd been able to get a dog sooner in my life and not waited until I was nearly 47.

I'm sorry that none of this is profound wisdom but I found it interesting when contemplating your question over breakfast this morning that these are what came to mind. When I came back to this thread after work this afternoon I decided to post anyway (I did have some doubts this morning!)

Sheesh, my spelling sucks today - EFS

Edited January 8, 2010 by Cuchulain

[tdierikx]

c. Having lots of large dogs can come in very handy for cold winter nights when the power goes out and your electric blanket doesn't work!

:D

Trust me - you'll learn exactly what the meaning of a "three dog night" is when your power goes out on a cold winter night... I used Rottweilers for mine... *grin*

As for the larger bed... I thought that was a given... mine is a Queen...

T.

[Loving my Oldies]

I wish I knew that I would never be allowed to go to the toilet alone again.

;) I have finally had to shut the door, because coping with seven dogs all wanting to hop on my lap is just not the way to go - LOL.

One dog is OK on the bed/sofa, but 6 is impossible.

I am JUST managing with 7

I wish I'd known that I would always feel a tad guilty for leaving them when walking out the front door!

I used to, but now I breathe a sigh of relief - LOL. Not really; I always worry that they'll be okay, especially the fosters who occasionally manage to find some way out of what I thought was almost a doggy Fort Knox ;)

It is up to me to protect my dog. There was a reason why none of the trainers would let my ex friends dog play at off lead time at dog training. Was nice and gave in over the christmas break and my lovely playing dog has never been the same since. 6 years on and one of the trainers still tells me it was a stupid move.

That sounds heart breaking Sezy

The number one thing I wish I knew before I got a dog is how wonderful a crate can be... I'm a firm believer in crate training now that I foster...

I'm a CC = Crate Convert. In fact, I wish I had room for two.

Above all - ENJOY your dog - don't OWN it...

Wise words, T.

Edited January 8, 2010 by Mother Moocher

[pip1981]

The no 1 thing I wish I had known was how much damage a bad puppy school can do... I doubt I will ever attend another one I wish I had known more about nuetralising my puppy to other dogs rather than over-socialising him. It has caused me so many problems since and I recently heard from a local trainer that a lot of puppies who went through the same puppy classes are now showing up at obedience classes with similar issues ;)

Hi There, sorry if this is too OT, but I was wondering if you could elaborate a little on the puppy school thing, because I think I've had an epiphany (sp?)! Is puppy school why my dog thinks every single dog is her new best friend?!!? We just thought she was the friendliest, most mentally excitable dog ever? Have we done this to her?

[Red Fox]

The no 1 thing I wish I had known was how much damage a bad puppy school can do... I doubt I will ever attend another one ;) I wish I had known more about nuetralising my puppy to other dogs rather than over-socialising him. It has caused me so many problems since and I recently heard from a local trainer that a lot of puppies who went through the same puppy classes are now showing up at obedience classes with similar issues

Hi There, sorry if this is too OT, but I was wondering if you could elaborate a little on the puppy school thing, because I think I've had an epiphany (sp?)! Is puppy school why my dog thinks every single dog is her new best friend?!!? We just thought she was the friendliest, most mentally excitable dog ever? Have we done this to her?

Yes, this is the problem we have had with Kei too.

At puppy school the pup's were allowed to play with each other non-stop. We thought that we were doing the right thing and it was the best way for Kei to learn bite-inhabition/appropriate play etc.

Ummm... WRONG Level one of obedience classes also included lots of socialisation (read play).

Now I have a dog that sees other dogs as the highest reward of all. BIG problem when the dog in question weighs 40kg and I am only 55kg! It has made any form of group training (obedience classes etc.) near impossible since he is just too excited to be around the other dogs.

As I said in my previous post, I did the K9 Force LLW program a few months ago which has made a big difference to Kei's behaviour during walks. He no longer drags me over to other dogs and I am able to snap him out of it before he becomes OTT (I had previously landed on my butt/been dragged across roads/had my arm almost wrenched out of its socket! ) But I do worry that I will simply be managing the behaviour for a long, long time

If I could do it all over again I would work more on neutralising my puppy to other dogs rather than continuous socialisation. Others may disagree with me on this one but I think it (socialising with dog's outside of our own 'pack') did more harm than good. I would not use a dog park for the same reasons.

I suppose it all depends on what you want out of your dog in the long run, and I believe that as new/first time dog owners we rarely know what that is until it's too late.

[pip1981]

Thanks SecretKei!

I think you've taught me that there is one positive to me being heavier than I'd like...lol...because Dakota sure can PULL! I guess, being a Samoyed I'd be worried if she couldn't, but still....

I'm sorry you've had to deal with all of that..how difficult with such a large dog.

Well, I think it's safe to say that puppy school probably is responsible for her excitement around other dogs, but thank-fully I don't think it's bad enough that we couldn't attend group classes, etc, because the excitement does settle after a time, especially when I take her to DOL meets. I can barely hold her back when we first get out of the car, but after a while, even off lead, she has reasonable recall, and that's surrounded by 15 or so dogs..

Our puppy school classes consisted of maybe 1 hour on lead tasks between owner and dog, followed by about 20 minutes of off-lead play, which I guess is why Dakota does see other dogs as a 'reward' as you put it.

We're considering starting obedience to improve her focus on us, and hopefully improve her walking on lead with me. Do you suggest I find somewhere that doesn't allow much 'play' time with the other dogs?

Cheers

sorry for hijacking the thread, but I think this might be useful info to the OP anyway?

[GeorgieB]

sorry for hijacking the thread, but I think this might be useful info to the OP anyway?

Definately useful!! Tangent Discussions are most welcome

[Red Fox]

Thanks SecretKei!

I think you've taught me that there is one positive to me being heavier than I'd like...lol...because Dakota sure can PULL! I guess, being a Samoyed I'd be worried if she couldn't, but still....

I'm sorry you've had to deal with all of that..how difficult with such a large dog.

Well, I think it's safe to say that puppy school probably is responsible for her excitement around other dogs, but thank-fully I don't think it's bad enough that we couldn't attend group classes, etc, because the excitement does settle after a time, especially when I take her to DOL meets. I can barely hold her back when we first get out of the car, but after a while, even off lead, she has reasonable recall, and that's surrounded by 15 or so dogs..

Our puppy school classes consisted of maybe 1 hour on lead tasks between owner and dog, followed by about 20 minutes of off-lead play, which I guess is why Dakota does see other dogs as a 'reward' as you put it.

We're considering starting obedience to improve her focus on us, and hopefully improve her walking on lead with me. Do you suggest I find somewhere that doesn't allow much 'play' time with the other dogs?

Cheers ;)

sorry for hijacking the thread, but I think this might be useful info to the OP anyway?

Your puppy school doesn't sound that bad at all - though an hour and 20 minutes is a LONG time for a puppy!

Personally I wouldn't allow play time (at class) if you are wanting to improve her focus, but each to their own so it is whatever works best for Dakota

IMO they are there to work, so play time should be completely seperate I dont attend formal obedience classes anymore - the classes are too long and boring and not structured well for the way Kei learns. He does much better with short, fun bursts of training rather than long repetative heeling. It's also much easier for me to train him in a low distraction environment (well dah! lol) and then build distractions up gradually. We are not yet ready to be training that close to other dogs.

Ah, the things we can see with hindsight

eta. Just thinking, if you think the 20 min play at the end of your classes is causing you probs you could always take her home before that or cut the play time down slightly. Say 5 mins play rather than 20....??

Edited January 9, 2010 by SecretKei

[all that glitters]

I wish I'd known that I would always feel a tad guilty for leaving them when walking out the front door!

Yep thats my issue too, the worst part about dog ownership for me so far *had my girl for 8 months* is leaving her alone when we go to work. Even then she is lucky because she's only alone 2 days @ 9hrs each a week, I'm home 2 days, hubby takes her to work 2 days and is home 1 day, so that leaves 2 days on her own. But it still worries me every time I close her door and leave her.

When I first brought her home the first 3 weeks were HORRENDOUS.. she would scream and cry on and off all day and it made me cry a lot at work, thinking about her crying. It was such a stressful period for me, but finally she stopped and it was SUCH a relief!

Even now she would prefer not to be alone but she has stopped crying when we leave and I think it's because i don't make a fuss when I come or go, and I leave her with tasty treats and a kong so she is "busy" as I shut the door.

I definitely suffer from separation anxiety and I'm the human