Oh my giddy god......

[HangingOver]

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. 😁

Quick thought, if you can and wish to do so, sort out insurance today. Many Pets (used to be Bought by Many) only charging one excess, regardless of how many conditions you claim for in a year, can be a real money saver. Pet Plan are very good but charge per condition. Make sure the insurer covers dental work, not all do.

Sign up to a vet, if you haven’t already done so, but try to avoid going until your new insurance (if you choose to have any) has been in place for over 2 weeks so you’re completely covered.

Great news about the walk. Enjoy your adventures together

If you don't have success finding a crash proof harness, you could try a crate secured on the back seat the same way as you'd use a child's car seat

Aww thank you for updating us OP, loving your descriptions and he is just lovely. I’m really not experienced at all and never had a rescue, so others can tell you if this is good advice, but re the pulling on clothes - I wonder if this vid will be helpful: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcs_-ud3ztM&pp=ygUNd2lsbCBhdGhlcnRvbg%3D%3D

I came across Will Atherton via a MN thread and found this advice so helpful with my young golden retriever. He has a tendency to need something in his mouth at all times, and if a bit worked up will make that our arm, folds of clothes, sometimes a crotch or boob! He’s gentle enough and doesn’t hurt but it’s understandably rather alarming if this comes at someone who doesn’t know him. We started doing this little push with a ‘pshh’ sound and it was immediately effective. He looks all shocked and chastened even though the push is not hard, it’s the sound I think he’s reacting to more.

@MontyDonsBlueScarf that's a thought too, thanks.

I see SO many dogs just get out of cars with ordinary walking harness or worse still just clipped in by their walking lead.

(all I see is a dead dog hanging by its collar or passengers killed by a dog flying through the car)

why are car harnesses (crash tested) more of a thing??

to me it's like putting a baby in the car sitting in a bumbo, not a car seat.

I tell you what I'm so glad my DP is as amazing as he is. He's so kind and patient and DDog has immediately bonded with him.

Ddog is currently sprawled asleep on the eaten sofa in the sun, on his back. He rolled in his sleep and toppled off the sofa, landing with all for paws on the ground and styled it out.

Yay for a good night!

Great that he is comfy in a crate, that does make life easier.

Please please ignore some of the dodgier advice popping up (Will Atherton is one of the insidious SM trainers, sneaking up with general common sense then whopping shock and prong collars on dogs and other aversives, some of which initially seem mild and harmless (pssh! noise to startle, spray can to startle, rattle chains and pebble filled bottles to startle... Once you start using aversives the natural direction is to use more and more, I can explain why but I'll be here for ages rattling on).

Aversive sprays to stop chewing are a very vague and ineffective punishment as they don't address the why, and will affect the dog even if NOT chewing (smell) and long after chewing stops, so will be unpleasant for the dog, yet not actually stop the issue.

SHouting NO at a dog you've had a short time and are trying to build a solid trust and security based relationship with is I think for obvious reasons a poor idea!

A very handy tactic once you have an idea what treats he likes best (and what would be 'middling' and 'low' value treats too) is just lobbing a few on the floor - directs him, gives you chance to find a toy/sort what he needs/think of a new thing to do to change the subject. You can then build in luring/asking for behaviour you prefer and over time he learns to offer that instead of whatever it is you didn't like - ends situations without confrontation!

Aww he's gorgeous, and settling in so well!

We had a couple of rubbish trainers, but eventually found a great one. He basically trained us to be calm as the dog picks up on our stress, and it calmed her reactivity right down. If we want her to stop something we make a sound like "Ah ah", and it distracts her. One good tip I got from him, is that if you want to excite the dog you use a high voice (as we know), and often they respond to womens' voices with excitement, so if you're telling him something you need him to do, use a lower tone.

Hope your day goes well, OP.

One thing you can be very happy about is that your boy enjoyed meeting other dogs.

My dog hadn't been socialised with other dogs when young so by the time I got her at four she was reactive and it does make things more limited and difficult. She's a lot better now but it's something I would check for more carefully next time.

Pointy hounds love an upside down view ime!!.

It's a relief isn't it? My girl was the same as yours....very reactive. She was kept in a whelping box until she was 5. The only time she met other dogs was when they were brought in to get her pregnant. Even the rescue had to keep her apart from the others as she was so reactive. Now she plays in the park, and has some really good friends.

Haha that’s a funny image, him styling it out 😀

I just knew she was Romanian by her photo. She looks very much like my girl!

@Coffeeandacatchup she’s gorgeous!

No advice to give which hasn't already been given, but just wanted to say that we had a Pod for 11 years and he was the best dog ever. A little sod at times with very selective recall, particularly around small furry creatures, but extremely loving and full of character. He is dearly missed, so much so that we are about to adopt another. They are amazing dogs.

They're gorgeous 😍

Good luck that’s so exciting, I have a chocolate Labrador and she’s bloody fabulous, I hope you have as much enjoyment x

How exciting
I love dogs so much.
I have 3

Love that he is so chilled , he's adorable they both are ❤️

No tips sure you will be great just wanted to say having an dog or cat is like having an new family member its great give them plenty of fuss.

We've just got a new puppy who alternates between sleep and being a maniac. She's also a prolific poo and pee machine.

But, my goodness, we do love her!

Okay so we had a little incident 🙁

He went into another clothing nipping frenzy while my partner was out. I loudly told him no, did the other things people suggested on the thread but he was absolutely determined. I admit I panicked. I eventually dragged him off and shut him behind a door. I was really upset when DP got back. Due to aforementioned condition, I am absolutely black and blue and swollen on my arms.

But my neighbour came over to help and we talked and the lady from the rescue rang and explained it all and told me exactly what to do next time and we're okay now.

Me and DDog went on a short walk to make up. He's now watching DP make me dinner (he is fascinated by the oven!).

I'm a bit worried about you OP. Are you happy now to be alone with him?

Was he living with other dogs before @HangingOver , is he missing that bitey face fun time these pointy hounds seem to crave ?
If he had friends before that fulfilled this part of his doggy life, he will be looking to you to meet that need, 'do you want to play bitey face' is what he is asking you ? The answer is no, but you could get a squeaky toy and chuck it, explain to him that you do high emotion fun like this instead. This type of dog also loves being chased, get him in the garden and chase him round a bit, you don't need to expend much energy, let him run round like a loon and if he gets close pretend to almost catch him/reach out and touch him, he will knacker himself out in no time

Good luck @HangingOver. I am reading along and crossing my fingers for you. I know what it is like to have the memory of a much loved pet and to long for another. I hope you manage to find your groove with this new doggy friend.

You must be very shaken OP. That sounds really scary.
Do you feel the rescue people were upfront with you about what to expect?

Hope you can get this troublesome behaviour under control soon…