Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

I'm about to own a puppy. What do I need to know?

40 replies

YeahDamon · 14/02/2015 13:43

We have three weeks to get prepared. I'm off to Pets at Home to start shopping. I have been given a crate but we need EVERYTHING else.

So, can you help me compile a list? I'm thinking blankets, cushion, toys, bowls, collar and lead, brush, treats, food....

What else, and do you have any recommendations? She's going to be tiny, dad is a small chihuahua and mum is a small jrt (and they are both adorable).

This is the first puppy we've ever had, and the first dog I've really owned (I've lived with people who had dogs) so I'm going to have a steep learning curve. Any advice is welcome!

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 16/02/2015 22:30

We won't be able to do training classes because we're in Germany and don't speak good enough German.

I have been watching Zak for an hour and am now late for bed he seems very positive, big focus on communication, and he seems to really love dogs. I'm going to show them to DH in the morning :)

BertieBotts · 16/02/2015 22:50

I have extremely limited experience of dogs - my dad and stepmother, from what I have seen tend to go in for beating and electric collars :( PIL apparently keep a whip (vvv rarely used, but still!) because they are unable to hit the dogs because they are too old - I was really wary about getting a dog with DH because of these reasons but he has been talking more about positive methods, so I'll definitely show him the videos. I know dogs aren't people and I wouldn't be expecting to have a "cosy chat" but violence just seems so harsh and unnecessary.

ElizaPickford · 17/02/2015 08:52

Hi Bertie - I got my bitter cherry spray from amazon . It doesn't seem to have great reviews on there but it worked for my dog, he only had to see the bottle and he stopped what he was doing...

ElizaPickford · 17/02/2015 08:53

BTW your inlaws sound positively abusive!

Dogs4life · 17/02/2015 09:37

Parents and parents in law are abusive from that description. No, they aren't people but they do have emotions. Studies have also shown they have the same intellect as a toddler. No animal should ever experience that kind of treatment in the same way humans should not. There are better, more effective ways to train dogs. I dislike it where I hear 'only a dog' it indicates that person is dismissive of the welfare of a thinking, feeling being on some level. i would be reporting your in laws to RSPCA. Not acceptable.

BertieBotts · 17/02/2015 09:56

I know, sounds horrendous doesn't it? The dogs are well treated most of the time (to the point I doubt RSPCA would be interested) and they are extreme one offs but I don't see eye to eye with them at all. Still, this is partly why we live in a separate country.

It's sad because it put me off dogs for a long time. I witnessed the "beating" (slapping, but repeatedly and hard, harder than you would a child - not that I agree with that either - to a tiny tiny dog, poor thing) at about sixteen, was really horribly shocked and assumed that kind of thing was necessary if you had a dog and decided I didn't have the heart to do it. I don't get on with my dad. Then again when DH mentioned the whip thing offhand I was really shocked again and upset - almost dumped him over it actually, because knowing he was a dog person and thinking I'd have to live with doing this really upset me. He didn't get why I was so upset - crossed wires really. When we talked about it more, it turned out the "whip" thing wasn't as bad as I thought, not used very hard, nowhere near as harsh as I was imagining and just based on those old theories of having to have something in your arsenal which proves you're "boss". I still don't agree with that but it's a long way from something abusive. Needless to say our dog will not have any kind of whips or horrible collars, but I want to drink up as much as I can on alternative training methods to understand how it works, basically. I know cats, I don't know dogs, and dog behaviour makes me nervous because I don't understand it. Watching the videos is helping me see already how to communicate better with a dog and wonder why anybody would think there was a need to use violence or threats at all.

bluebirdonmyshoulder · 17/02/2015 11:06

BertieBotts - your PIL should be prosecuted.

To all new / prospective dog parents, I really recommend Tamar Geller, The Loved Dog Method. Although feel free to ignore the crate training bit and have a slightly fenced off area instead. And if you do the crate training the PLEASE ignore her suggestion that you don't give them water whilst in the crate. Fresh water should ALWAYS be available.

But other than that disappointing bit, her methods focus on positive reinforcement and really bonding with your dog.

Reggiesmom · 18/02/2015 09:19

Oh my half JRT, good luck hope your not attached to your hands and feet.

ThisIsYourLife · 18/02/2015 09:31

Agree with Dogs4life, the best thing you can you do for your dog and your family is to train it well. The first few weeks are crucial and an important time for creating positive associations. Dogs memories and emotions are interconnected so any negative experiences will be remembered. Training doesn't stop after puppyhood though as it's all about overriding a dogs natural instincts so the rewards for good behaviour have to be of high value to the dog.
The more effort you put in the more you'll get back.

Humansatnav · 20/02/2015 07:00

Congratulations!We've had Otis ( lab/ springer) home for 1 week .
Plenty of kitchen roll, handy for wiping up & the cardboard in the middle makes a handy toy . Also he settled much better in his crate after we covered it with an old fleece blanket.
Invest in a nice warm cardy/ slipper boots for early morning toileting.
Most of all, just enjoy your pup.

Humansatnav · 20/02/2015 07:04

And with training, were going down the MASSIVELY praising desired behavior route- if he poohs outside he is treated like a winning goal scorer !
I have seen the results of fear based training ( eyes ex ndn ) and it resulted in a very nervous , timid, sad dog.

SinclairSpectrum · 20/02/2015 07:57

While you are googling have a look at kikopup on youtube.
Its easy to follow clicker training demonstrations. If you don't want to click you can just say 'yes'.

quellerosiel · 20/02/2015 09:05

Good luck OP! Will be watching this one with interest. Dh and I work and we would love a dog. Hope it all works out for you

tinymeteor · 23/02/2015 13:51

Cute!!!

Agree on Gwen Bailey's Perfect Puppy book, found it really useful with our beagle. Be prepared to be very very patient. It will pay off but the whole family have to know the rules and stick to them so the pup learns too. E.g. Zero tolerance of biting/mouthing even when it's little and harmless. If one family member teaches them that biting is part of a game it'll become a bad habit later.

Find a good puppy training class and go early and regularly . Jack Russells can be aggressive with other dogs so early socialisation will be really helpful in making sure they aren't prone to fear-aggression. Also if you know anyone with well behaved adult dogs, walk them together so the older ones can help teach the pup some manners. Good luck!

tinymeteor · 23/02/2015 13:58

Oh and violence is totally unnecessary, especially with a dog that size. Training is about making sure the dog learns what's exoected and knows that good behaviour pays off. It's achieved by building a bond with you as the owner so that you can get their attention and give them commands when you need to stop a behaviour. Whacking the dog undermines that bond and makes you an unpredictable threat rather than a leadership figure.

Flip

1 2