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The doghouse

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

Oh my giddy god......

984 replies

HangingOver · 30/09/2024 13:58

I can't actually believe I'm finally typing this... I think I'm getting a dog!

I've wanted one of my own my entire life. I had one growing up and look after friends and neighbours at every available opportunity as I adore dogs so much. A rescue came up locally and I thought he looked lovely, he was snapped up immediately, but came up again yesterday! Me and DP are meeting him this afternoon.

Any tips for meeting a rescue for the first time? Other than being gentle and calm? He's 8 months so a bouncy chap.

ARGGGH! So excited. 😁

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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BetterWithPockets · 02/10/2024 22:06

Oh, I so needed this thread tonight (was made redundant today); it’s given me such joy. OP, all of my dogs have been rescues, and all have been wonderful. I mean, all have had their quirks, but I wouldn’t have been without them for the world — and Kenny looks gorgeous. Good luck! Xx

Crucible · 02/10/2024 22:07

AutumnTimeForCosy24 · 02/10/2024 09:46

Your excitement is lovely.

when I was a child I would lie in bed picturing every single thing about getting a puppy for Christmas!

in reality I knew it wouldn't happen (parents far too sensible!) but it didn't stop me fantasising!

you've brought all of that feeling back!

Will YOUR puppy not be ready until this afternoon? If it is, I'd be hounding (LOL) bf to go NOW!!

I look after a lot of dogs (but, like you, want my own!!) I can't find a good solution for my car. I can't have a crate, or a permanent boot guard. I wanted a car harness - but can't find a crash tested one for large dogs 😢. Plenty of 'walking harness' but not car crash tested ones for heavy dogs (45kg lab in particular). he's not mine (obviously) he's on a restricted eating plan & well exercised. He's just a huge, powerful, chunk of a lad!!)

I have a double safedog crate, which has a removable dividing wall. https://mimsafeuk.com/product-category/dog-cage/

My two girls are happy in it and a big dog should fit in it without the divider (check the charts). It's the only crate to have passed crash testing. We buy cars to fit it - we don't buy crates to fit cars...

Variocage – MIMsafe UK

https://mimsafeuk.com/product-category/dog-cage

bakewellbride · 02/10/2024 22:08

Congratulations op! I'm one week in with my new dog. Such an amazing experience.

Crucible · 02/10/2024 22:13

Looks like a Podengo.

Frenzi · 02/10/2024 22:25

Gopin · 02/10/2024 21:15

You must be a very special and kind woman. x

Or just completely bonkers!!

TimothyIsNotAnArmardillo · 02/10/2024 22:27

He's gorgeous.
My darling JRT (sadly no longer with us) was a rescue and the first few months were so hard.
I remember sobbing in despair and thinking we'd made a huge error- I loved him, but I couldn't imagine life being this tough forever and I couldn't imagine his behaviour improving. He destroyed things, he was over excitable, training was slow, he was generally a thug.
After 6 months he was settled and a joy - I miss him dreadfully

DearRussell · 02/10/2024 22:32

Op I just saw your picture. Is he the breed beginning with P? I can’t remember what they are called

Zanatdy · 02/10/2024 22:33

He’s lovely. If you feel like its all a big mistake in the early days then thats very normal. It can be over whelming at first but its so worth it, dogs give back a million times what we benefit from. I LOVE dogs, be patient and you’ll reap the rewards

Frenzi · 02/10/2024 22:33

The best thing that calmed Kenny down is the cat!!!

Think massive pup (we were told he was three - absolutely no way - he’s got a good year of growing into those paws) and runt of the litter cat. Guess who always wins!

Id never seen a dog walk backwards down the stairs before!!! But if the scrawny cat is coming in the opposite direction, boy does he back down quickly.

Fire lit for the first time at the weekend. Very exciting as we don’t think he’d ever seen a log burner before, let alone luxuriated in front of one. No bloody chance. Ten minutes in -he’s there sprawled in front of the fire and in walks runt. One glare and Kenny moved!!

Hes obsessed with her. He bites her. She comes on walks with us at least twice a day and she spends the whole time taunting him because he’s on a lead (not to be trusted off it) and she’s a free spirit cat.

My goal in life is to get a photo of them together - which doesn’t involve the cat attacking the dog!

Frenzi · 02/10/2024 22:35

Loves not bites!!!

ImNunTheWiser · 02/10/2024 22:35

Also he was housetrained but seems to have forgotten a bit

That’s also totally normal OP. Let us know if you need any help with house training. Is he a Podenco? He looks like a gorgeous twerp 😁

Ski37 · 02/10/2024 22:47

@HangingOver your new dog is beautiful!
I’ve always wanted a dog and years ago when I first bought my house I thought I was finally in a position to get one. After enquiring at several rescue centres and being turned down due to my working patterns ( and rightly so in hindsight) I adopted a cat from a shelter instead. Seven years on and I can admit it was the best decision I ever made as I was completely new to pet ownership but I now have the best, most affectionate catty pal. I still really want want a dog but my cat just wouldn’t tolerate one.
One day when the time is right I will approach rescue centres again and find the right one. Until then I will enjoy all the pictures on here.

Carouselfish · 02/10/2024 22:52

Don't forget op, sofas and cushions and things can be replaced. But this is a life you are changing and saving. Be patient. Keep coming back to all that love you have to give and how very much he needs that and a chance. Or several.
I bet a million pounds the previous family SAID their circumstances changed but it was actually just their cushions.

HangingOver · 02/10/2024 23:03

PUPDATE: yes he is the Podenco famous across Cornwall. 🤣 So... He's not been as bad and first thing again thank goodness... The toys my friend brought over have been a LIFE SAVER I wish I know I needed like 50 to keep him entertained. He's had another couple of goes at the sofa cushions but shorter lived attempts. I feel like once he's chewed the corners off all the cushions that might be mission accomplished.

He's already coming down from paws on the counter with just the word OFF, not actually removing him! In one day! Clever boy.

The only thing that worries me if when he grabs my clothing. He grabs a sleeve or the front of my top and tugs. It said online your supposed to turn away, fold your arms in and stop communicating with him but I cant actually do that when he's ripping a jersey off me. I have a disease which means I get soft tissue damage very easily so I look like I've been attacked by a shark.

I did read someone else that someone said you should give them an alternative command, so getting a treat out and making him sit has actually stopped the chomping a couple of times so I will keep trying that.

I wasn't scared of him exactly because I knew it was play but equally it's a bit alarming having your clothes literally ripped off. Any tips on that much appreciated.

My friends are amazing. They've all voice noted and face timed with help and advice.

DDog was so anxious at bedtime but eventually settled and I quietly closed the crate. Me and DP sat beside him talking for 20 mins now he's gone up (early work) and I'm going to sleep on the eaten sofa near the crate. If he wakes I'll let him noodle about and then wait for him to fall asleep again (crate open + me sleeping on sofa not an option as he will go into actual orbit at the sight of a duvet. Should I wake him in the night for a wee or not?

For those awake late for baby reasons I might update in the night if you're bored enough.

I sent this pic to the rescuer and she cried she was so pleased. ♥️

Goodnight from me and Munchybiteyjumpyborkbork.

Oh my giddy god......
OP posts:
Frenzi · 02/10/2024 23:09

Our trainer told us the word no was pretty pointless. You should distract.

so when he’s grabbing at your clothes gave a command to distract him. No idea what as we ignored our trainer and still tell the big numpty no 🤣🤣🤣 but distraction is very good.

Good luck.

i am so looking forward to going through this journey with you xx

WavesAndSmile · 02/10/2024 23:11

what a beautiful pup you have.

on the leaping on you to bite just raise a knee as he comes up. Then drop comms with him until he does as you want (calm/toy redirect), then praise and play. You’ll both need a bit of time to perfect it but he’ll quickly learn it’s not rewarding to grab you but good behaviour is rewarded. For it to really work you need to also reward that good behaviour whenever you see it without the bouncing/grabbing at you.

Frenzi · 02/10/2024 23:12

And I don’t have a baby that will be up in the night but I’m so invested I’ll be getting up at stupid o’clock to see how you’re getting on!!

bakewellbride · 02/10/2024 23:13

Sorry to derail the thread but I am lying in bed wondering if it's ok for me to go to sleep. We've had our greyhound for a week and he was a bit restless at bedtime and when I left to go upstairs he wasn't in his bed. Am I ok just to go to sleep? On all the other nights he's been sleeping when I left him. Any advice much appreciated I've got no one else to ask really x

eggandonion · 02/10/2024 23:15

We used the word Ba. According to the person who told us it is like the sound the mammy dog makes to stop naughty pups. No idea if it is....
Our zoomer used to break off zooming and grab an arm. So Ba and ignore worked.
Stick with it...it's all worthwhile!

eggandonion · 02/10/2024 23:16

Was the greyhound wandering round and looking at a sofa?

Frenzi · 02/10/2024 23:20

Ski37 · 02/10/2024 22:47

@HangingOver your new dog is beautiful!
I’ve always wanted a dog and years ago when I first bought my house I thought I was finally in a position to get one. After enquiring at several rescue centres and being turned down due to my working patterns ( and rightly so in hindsight) I adopted a cat from a shelter instead. Seven years on and I can admit it was the best decision I ever made as I was completely new to pet ownership but I now have the best, most affectionate catty pal. I still really want want a dog but my cat just wouldn’t tolerate one.
One day when the time is right I will approach rescue centres again and find the right one. Until then I will enjoy all the pictures on here.

We also have a rescue cat. She belongs to my daughter who moved in with her boyfriend, split up and came home and now I have a cat.

The difference between dogs and cats!

I say I now have a cat because - I now buy its food and treats. I got so freaked out when the cat I never wanted got ill that I took out pet insurance and because I am the idiot that buys her the most ridiculous treats.

you can’t beat having an animal as a pet. Be it dog, gerbil, hamster or rabbit. They all give unconditional love.

Except a cat! You give it unconditional love. You light the log burner so it keeps warm; you buy it treats; you love it; you take it to the vets if it’s ill. The cat - looks at you out of the corner of its eye and mumbles “idiot”.

the dog just sticks it tongue out and says I loves you.

Frenzi · 02/10/2024 23:22

bakewellbride · 02/10/2024 23:13

Sorry to derail the thread but I am lying in bed wondering if it's ok for me to go to sleep. We've had our greyhound for a week and he was a bit restless at bedtime and when I left to go upstairs he wasn't in his bed. Am I ok just to go to sleep? On all the other nights he's been sleeping when I left him. Any advice much appreciated I've got no one else to ask really x

Get up and put him I your bed immediately.

you know you can’t have a dog and sleep alone. Especially a lazy arse greyhound!

AutumnTimeForCosy24 · 02/10/2024 23:25

LunaNorth · 02/10/2024 17:37

Sometimes they don’t grow out of following you to the loo…

@LunaNorth

he's ;she's?) absolutely girgeius

i I love your bathroom too 😀

AutumnTimeForCosy24 · 02/10/2024 23:29

Crucible · 02/10/2024 22:07

I have a double safedog crate, which has a removable dividing wall. https://mimsafeuk.com/product-category/dog-cage/

My two girls are happy in it and a big dog should fit in it without the divider (check the charts). It's the only crate to have passed crash testing. We buy cars to fit it - we don't buy crates to fit cars...

@Crucible

thanks, but I think I said I can't use crates, unfortunately.

i need them to be harnessed on the back seat as I have to put other equipment in the boot 🙇🏻‍♀️

Ski37 · 02/10/2024 23:35

Frenzi · 02/10/2024 23:20

We also have a rescue cat. She belongs to my daughter who moved in with her boyfriend, split up and came home and now I have a cat.

The difference between dogs and cats!

I say I now have a cat because - I now buy its food and treats. I got so freaked out when the cat I never wanted got ill that I took out pet insurance and because I am the idiot that buys her the most ridiculous treats.

you can’t beat having an animal as a pet. Be it dog, gerbil, hamster or rabbit. They all give unconditional love.

Except a cat! You give it unconditional love. You light the log burner so it keeps warm; you buy it treats; you love it; you take it to the vets if it’s ill. The cat - looks at you out of the corner of its eye and mumbles “idiot”.

the dog just sticks it tongue out and says I loves you.

Got to love the audacity of cats! The treat thing is definitely true. Mine loves the expensive £3 for a small tub ones. Turns his nose up at the identical £1 Lidl version.
I wouldn’t have it any other way though ( until I get my dog 🤣)

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