Getting a puppy... Please share your tips and experiences....!

[Anonymous]

Our family (2 adults, 2 pre-teens) is getting a new puppy soon, after grieving the death of our late dog, who we adopted when he was a young adult. We haven't had a puppy before. We have done lots of research and reading and I *think* we are well prepared, but curious to know if anyone had "wish I had know" tips or stories to share. thanks!

[Anonymous]

Adopt from the pound or a rescue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family (2 adults, 2 pre-teens) is getting a new puppy soon, after grieving the death of our late dog, who we adopted when he was a young adult. We haven't had a puppy before. We have done lots of research and reading and I *think* we are well prepared, but curious to know if anyone had "wish I had know" tips or stories to share. thanks!

Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for not "rescuing" a dog from a shelter. That's my advice. And enjoy and love your puppy! I've had mine for 4 years now and she's snuggled up in my arms right now as I'm typing this. The memories and pictures I have from the past 4 years are priceless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Adopt from the pound or a rescue.

Op already did that (if you read her post) and didn't ask for advice about where to get her puppy. But go ahead and judge away and feel smug about whatever your opinions are.

[Anonymous]

You can find a puppy on www.petfinder.com, You can be breed specific if thats what youre looking for, and also know that youre not supporting the mass breeding of more dogs.

[Anonymous]

Train, train, train!!! It takes patience and lots of repetition, but it's so important to train them consistently and early. Also, socialize the pup with both humans and dogs. Our dog is great with dogs but I think we could have done more to socialize him with people.

[Anonymous]

Get a puppy in the spring, summer, or fall, when the weather is nice. It makes house training much easier. You can get in and out the door with the dog more quickly (you don't want to have to put on a coat and boots when you're trying to whisk the dog outside before s/he pees).

Other tips: it's just a lot of work for the first six months. A lot. If both parents work outside the home, it's *really* hard to house train the dog and get him/her started on good habits, manners, etc.

Do NOT let your dog jump up on you. Ever. Not sure what breed you're getting, but behavior that seems cute when they're puppies rapidly becomes a big problem as they grow. Find a system that works for discouraging jumping.

For the first six months to a year, you should plan to keep the dog corralled in one area of the house (family room, mudroom, back hall, whatever) until they're not interested in chewing anymore. Remove all the rugs, shoes, and other chewables from that area. This is important, and I have the destroyed kitchen rugs to prove it.

Enjoy your puppy!

[Anonymous]

During potty training, puppy sleeps in bed with you. Get up every couple of hours, put puppy out. Give a command as they do their business. Reward with affection/treat. Go back to bed. Repeat in a couple of hours.

Takes about 3 weeks, but is effective for house training.

Have LOTS of things to chew on. Substitute if they chew on something.

Puppy teeth are VERY sharp. Do NOT tolerate mouthing on people, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adopt from the pound or a rescue.

Op already did that (if you read her post) and didn't ask for advice about where to get her puppy. But go ahead and judge away and feel smug about whatever your opinions are.

I have asked that the post be deleted. So unnecessary and unhelpful to post something like that.

[Anonymous]

Lots of great advice. Although we never allow our dogs in our beds. Research crate training for potty training. We have big shedding dogs that we got as puppies and the crate for nighttime and potty training is the best.

Ian Dunbar wrote a great book, called "Before and After Getting Your Puppy" Find a trainer and get puppy into classed before 12 weeks old if possible. Socialize the puppy with many people and other dogs. Introduce it to all sorts of different things, to avoid fear and build confidence - opening umbrellas, bikes riding past, etc.

Have stuffed kongs and many chew toys around. It really is alot of work, but so worth it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adopt from the pound or a rescue.

Op already did that (if you read her post) and didn't ask for advice about where to get her puppy. But go ahead and judge away and feel smug about whatever your opinions are.

I have asked that the post be deleted. So unnecessary and unhelpful to post something like that.

It is, but think of it as an evangelical pet owner. They are so focused on saving the lives of abandoned animals they can't see that there are other ways to own and care for an animal.

I met a woman like this a few weeks ago, she had even changed her name to the name of her dog. So both the woman and the dog, yes, they had the same name.

Different lives...

[Anonymous]

We have a new puppy. Love him but so much work! DS who is a teen begged for him and has been great but at end of day, it really is on the parents! Luckily, my DH is dog person so willing takes out in middle of night, early am.

We have a much older dog who we rescued at age 2 so I had no idea how much work a puppy is and some days feel trapped at home and overwhelmed but I know will pass. He is so loving and dc love him. Oh well, this could go with the thread " do you change your life/ schedule for your children" or something like that??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adopt from the pound or a rescue.

Op already did that (if you read her post) and didn't ask for advice about where to get her puppy. But go ahead and judge away and feel smug about whatever your opinions are.

I have asked that the post be deleted. So unnecessary and unhelpful to post something like that.

Which post was unhelpful and unnecessary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adopt from the pound or a rescue.

Op already did that (if you read her post) and didn't ask for advice about where to get her puppy. But go ahead and judge away and feel smug about whatever your opinions are.

I have asked that the post be deleted. So unnecessary and unhelpful to post something like that.

Which post was unhelpful and unnecessary?

Telling someone talking about getting a pet to adopt from a shelter or a rescue. That's like telling an infertile couple they can adopt. It's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adopt from the pound or a rescue.

Op already did that (if you read her post) and didn't ask for advice about where to get her puppy. But go ahead and judge away and feel smug about whatever your opinions are.

I have asked that the post be deleted. So unnecessary and unhelpful to post something like that.

Which post was unhelpful and unnecessary?

Telling someone talking about getting a pet to adopt from a shelter or a rescue. That's like telling an infertile couple they can adopt. It's ridiculous.

I agree. There is a lot of judgment about where a person gets the dog from. The way I see it, if the person getting the dog is responsible and committed to the dog, it shouldn't matter where they go to get it ( as long as it's not a puppy mill or some other irresponsible breeder).

I have so much respect for people that adopt homeless animals, but that doesn't mean I look down on people who get a puppy from a breeder, as long as they treat the animal well and take care of it and are committed to it.