Am I right to abandon the choke chain?

[allhailtheaubergine]

We are adopting a dog this afternoon. The family who she has been living with can't keep her any more.

I went to meet the dog earlier, and noticed that she wore one of those metal link chain collars - a 'choke chain' that strangles the dog if she pulls. The woman said that as the dog is so young and excitable she has found it necessary to use one for fear of losing her when out walking.

I have never used one but they seem dreadful to me. I have picked up a harness and plan to put her in that when I pick her up later.

Is this the right thing to do, do you think?

Am off to get her in about an hour. Any last minute tips for making the introduction to her new family a positive one?

And any thoughts on the best way to deal with the excessive mouthing?

I'm nervous now.

Just give her time to explore her new surroundings before you all handle her too much. Offer wide open arms to she can come to you, a very comfy bed and a good meal. As for the mouthing, she'll just have to be told a firm no. Ours loves to have a play mouthing fight, and we have now got her at a stage when she knows when it's allowed as a game and when she must stop because she is told no. She doesn't get to do it often, but my FIL has a tendency to wind her up . She adores tugging games too - the ones where you are being a fellow dog helping her to rip into her prey. For prey, read cuddly monster with a squeaky part to be found and removed.

Re harnesses I can recommend the Ruffwear Web Master harness. It's really well padded and does not chafe at all. And no, I'm not CEO of Ruffwear!

As for mouthing, use the 'yelp and shun' method. Google it, it really works.

Enjoy her!

She is beautiful!

Slept all night in her crate.

Walks beautifully on the lead. Fine with the harness - she doesn't pull at all, but even so I shall look out for a better quality one with padding.

Quite likes her food, which is useful for training! Enjoys the garden. Doesn't come when she's called, but doesn't dance away out of reach or run away either - very accepting of being gently lead by the collar to her crate.

Has totally rejected my idea that she shouldn't be allowed on the sofa.

Beautiful. The sweetest face.

Fantastic!

any pictures?

She sounds lovely. Pictures please?

LOL. Our likes the sofa too...
Another one demanding a photo.

Am working on photos!

She really is doing brilliantly. Plays with the kids but doesn't get too rough. One wee on the carpet but was mortified, despite me just saying "oh well, lets get the next one in the garden". She lay next to me while I sponged it out, looking embarrassed. She joins in cuddles for story time, and is a very enthusiastic helper in the kitchen, particularly when I'm sorting out the packed lunches! But then she lay quietly and didn't bother me once all afternoon when I was sewing, even when I was laying out fabric on the floor to cut it (my lab would have insisted on sitting on it). In fact our only point of disagreement is my plants which she assumes are strewn around the house like snacks at a party. She has dug up a lovely flowering cactus and taken a good few bites out of a peace lilly.

Photos coming soon.