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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

If you could give any advice to a new dog owner...

38 replies

whogrewoutoftheterribletwos · 03/04/2014 18:40

...what would it be? Our puppy was born yesterday and we'll be getting her home in a couple of months and I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible. Any recommendations for books/kit/toys etc? We're very excited but I know there are no bad dogs, only bad owners and I'm determined to avoid that!

OP posts:
toboldlygo · 03/04/2014 19:18

The importance of socialisation and habituation cannot be overstated - you have about eight weeks in which to set the foundations for the next 10+ years.

Life Skills for Puppies is an excellent book. :)

Owllady · 03/04/2014 19:39

Be realistic
It's an animal not something out of the Disney store :)

Original poster
whogrewoutoftheterribletwos · 03/04/2014 19:42

Thank you both
Owllady - so I've been telling my son. She'll be a member of the family, a living being with her own personality, not a toy and not a puppy for very long
Will look at that book. Have been watching some kikopup videos on YouTube too

OP posts:
jeniz · 03/04/2014 20:49

I would say get pet insurance.
I lost a dog to a brain tumor in October no insurance as I adopted her as an oldie.cost me a fortune.
I have insurance for my pup which is a god send as she currently very ill in vet hospital after spaying.
Have fun with your new pup

furlinedsheepskinjacket · 03/04/2014 20:51

please please please take your dog to training classes

a well trained dog is a joy

SignoraStronza · 03/04/2014 20:57

Loads of socialisation. Our pup didn't get nearly enough, as first jabs were after we got her at 9 weeks and we applied the 'rules' rigorously (large breed so difficult to lug around with a baby as well). Also, the first available puppy classes began when she was almost 12 weeks. Book your pup in straight away and as long as the others in the class have been jabbed, start as young as possible.

SignoraStronza · 03/04/2014 21:01

Oh and lead training. Dh works next to a massive field and our dog gets the chance to run around and go for off lead walks with another dog of the same breed every day. All very well and good but when I come to walk her round the village on a lead (when he's away for work) she's an absolute pita because dh is too lazy to walk her over to work with him every morning.

cansleepanywhere · 03/04/2014 21:04

Second the training classes, great for socialisation too.

Imagine having a newborn baby... you have to feed it, clean up after it, teach it what's right and wrong and plan your days with it in mind. Most of all you have to love it...and you will.

I have 2 kids, but refer to my dog as the third! :-)

Owllady · 03/04/2014 21:04

Jeniz, do you post on Wiccs?
But yes lifetime pet insurance. I got booted off when my last dog was 10 :( and of course that was when she had her first serious illness!

lampygirl · 03/04/2014 21:29

Our pup is 11 weeks now, I know we wont have done everything right, I dont think its possible not to make a mistake/forget something so dont get too hung up on little errors as long as you arent repeating them e.g. sometimes I miss her signs for needing to go out, and i end up with a wet patch on the carpet, its my fault, but also if its a one off or very infrequent its not likely to undo the training we have done. Ignore the crying on the first night, it will happen, it will make you feel like you are a bad human being, but Millie now sleeps well in the crate and makes little or no noise unless she needs the toilet.

Lilcamper · 04/04/2014 00:00

Socialise a pup properly, it means more than letting them loose with other dogs. Train them from day one, let them off lead and work on recall as soon as they can be walked, you need to be the most exciting thing in their life. Have them in the bedroom with you, pups are scared and confused when they leave mum and their littermates, comfort them if they need it. Forget about being pack leader or Alpha, they just want love, be their guide, their friend and their protector. Find a force free trainer and learn together. Show them what you DO want and don't punish them for what you don't. Love them, they will love you back.

CoffeeMad · 04/04/2014 14:15

The Perfect Puppy by Gwen a Bailey is a really good book for new owners. You could ask your local library to order it in for you if they don't have it.
It's full of really good tips and is well worth a read.

CoffeeMad · 04/04/2014 14:24

The book is by Gwen Bailey - not sure where that a came from!

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 14:27

Know who will have your dog/ give them company if you want an impromptu day out .

SkipandTink · 04/04/2014 14:29

As many good and positive experiences with other dogs as possible - my dog had so many bad ones as a puppy that we now have problems with aggression as he will either run from other dogs or go for them - if you can join regular pack dog walks, socialisation classes and find friends etc with friendly dogs, then I would advise that. Also positive reward based training all the way. And expect lots of destruction and naughtiness, and also that the teenage phase is sometimes a lot harder than the puppy phase!! And also, they need walking twice a day wind, rain or shine, whether you or the kids are ill or not, etc, so many people let the walks start to slip and then wonder why dog behaviour gets worse. Good luck!

jeniz · 04/04/2014 16:32

His owlady I do post on wiccs,its Poppy pup that's I'll in the vets.waiting for call from vet with MRI results.

cathpip · 04/04/2014 16:41

Training, esp recall (under any circumstance). You only have to read the distressing post about the dog that killed some sheep, and besides that it makes walks far more enjoyable!

kippersmum · 04/04/2014 18:08

Training classes are a must. Even if you decide to use Kikopup or whatever go to training classes for the socialisation etc. The teenager phase is way harder than the puppy phase, I may be biased here, I have a teenage Border Collie! :)

noddingoff · 04/04/2014 21:14

training classes
don't let it get fat
if your vet tells you it's getting fat, believe them and do something about it
start brushing their teeth when they are little and keep doing it - every day

noddingoff · 04/04/2014 21:17

oh yeah and
insurance
find out what health conditions the breed you want to get is prone to and educate yourself

SnakeyMcBadass · 04/04/2014 21:59

Gin.
And a sense of humour.
Also, stain remover.

excitedmummytobe · 05/04/2014 10:13

i turned my dog around from being "untrainable" and passed from home to home. id never had a dog before but he is wonderful now and fully trained for my babys arrival....

a combination of making sure they know from the off that you are the boss and the children are above him in the pecking order (so important) and simple love and affection along with the obvious feeding etc that im sure uv already read all about :)

MothershipG · 05/04/2014 10:21

Recall, recall, recall.

Who cares if a dog can sit or lie down when you tell it to? Recall is most essential thing. If you can reliably get your dog back to you in the face of temptation then your life, and your dogs, will be so much better.

I write this sadly as I have failed miserably in this regard with my first dog. Sad

NorbertDentressangle · 05/04/2014 10:27

I've never owned a dog so wouldn't be able to comment on dog-care/training etc but as someone who lives in a beautiful area where lots of people walk their dogs I would say....please be one of the considerate owners who cleans up their dogs poo and disposes of it appropriately.

FiveHoursSleep · 05/04/2014 10:29

The socialisation period is not a moveable feast. It's all got to be done before 14-16 weeks. After that socialisation is much more difficult and in some cases impossible.
Also get your puppy from a house as much like yours as possible.