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. 😁

I just love how excited you are! Our doggy is basically the epicentre of our family. I often joke to DH that of we didn’t have her what on earth would we have to talk about? I have a goofy, eccentric giant breed dog who bashed her way out of her crate two days after we got her home (it was a galvanized steel one) when she was nine weeks old and we found her upside down on the sofa dead to the world. She knows what she wants.

Following for the pic. Congrats op! Getting our dog was the best thing we ever did.

So happy for you (and the dog!)!

Remember, "puppy blues" is a real thing and it happens with rescues, too. So if you're feeling down and overwhelmed in a week or two, remember that it will pass. It's just your hormones. I had a few days where I just kept crying for no reason, and I've only learned about puppy blues after. I thought I was going mad. It would have been easier if I had known about it beforehand.

Also, the 3-3-3 rule is worth remembering whenever you feel like your doggy is giving you a hard time at the beginning! He will be unbearable for a few months, testing boundaries like a pro. It will then settle, and flare up again periodically when he's still young, with a big tantrum at the end of his puberty (can take up to 2-3 years with very big breeds). So stay patient and just remind yourself that you've wanted this (it will be worth it).

Following for pics - congratulations on your new family member!

Yes! The rescue lady mentioned the 3-3-3 rule. I need all the advice in the world so keep it coming, no tip too obvious! Would someone be able to link the the puppy survival thread?

5 hours left of being a two-some household. How very strange!

Apparently all I talk about is dogs so I'm leaning into your excitement!! Post pics. That is the rule for dogs

Mentioned or explained in detail?

We've been fostering rescue dogs for years. What you have to understand, is that the dog you've met at the kennels may do a complete 180 character wise when you take him home. That's the first 3 days, to decompress. He may hide under furniture, act scared, or bark all the time and jump at the walls. He may avoid you. He may not eat, and may not play with his toys (he will probably have no mental space for playing). Everything he sees and smells is completely new, so be sure to give him plenty of space and time to acclimate to the new environment. Let him explore on his own. Do not force interaction, but welcome it if he comes to you. NO VISITORS! Take him outside for potty breaks on a leash (he may not be house trained, so you will have to take him out regularly- always after eating, sleeping or playing - and praise him like crazy whenever he does his business outside. May take a while if he's the nervous type, but he will soon start showing you whenever he needs to be let out. Don't use puppy pads at home, that will only make the process take longer.), but don't overwhelm him with long walks or trips to the park. If he wants to sit at the curb and watch people and cars, then let him.

After that, come the next three weeks. This is a time to establish a routine and your house rules, by praising and rewarding good behaviour. Slowly introduce him to other people and environments. He will start testing you. And then there's the three month mark, by then you should be used to each other and the doggy should know what's expected of him behaviour-wise. That's the point where he will probably finally understand that he's here to stay and feel safe enough to really test the boundaries - remember to stay firm, but friendly.

I'm sure you'll do great! This board is amazing for help (or just mental support).

Oh, and carry the treat pouch with you at all times, even at home, so you're always ready to praise him whenever he does something worth rewarding without prompting... That's how they learn most effectively in my experience, most rescues are greedy eaters so he will start displaying those behaviours more to earn himself a treat and then it will become ingrained. Don't punish bad behaviour, just ignore him.

Aw welcome to the doggy family! Best thing you'll ever do. Just to echo what people have said - just play the first few months by ear really.
What breed is he? One piece of advice I'd give is find a good trainer, go to lessons and be consistent. Training will make or break it.
How lovely!!!

Thanks @GelatinousDynamo (great name!). All really, really helpful. I thought for the first few days I'd just practice walking on some short walks around the local block with him and show him the footpath down to where he'll be mostly walked. He's a very big smeller so he needs lots of stops to sniff interesting things.

He never been to the beach before (it's 2 mins away), can't wait to show it to him in good time!🙂

No problem, I'm happy to help! If you haven't noticed, I too can talk about dogs for hours, so always happy to be able to let myself go without boring everyone else around me. 😂 And I'm sure that he will love the beach! Might be scared of the water at first, thought.

I just had one more though, and it's something a dog trainer once said to me... Your doggy will be scared, disoriented and unsure of what's going on. Imagine him a as an Englishman who's just permanently and forcefully been relocated to Japan, without knowing the language or the customs. He will "offend" and make mistakes. He's willing to learn. Only he doesn't understand the language, so all you can do is show him what to do by example and make sure he knows that he's safe with you. And you show it best by being calm and predictable. Once he's understood something, don't change it. Stick to your rules, but don't loosen them suddenly because you feel bad for him or because you want him to "live a little". It will not help him adjust, just show him that you're fickle and so could turn on him in a heartbeat. If you want him to be able to trust you, you have to be consistent and reliable. Dogs like people who are calm and they like knowing what to expect from you in any given situation.

Remember that staring at a dog is threatening to them, until they learn that humans dont mean anything by it, so even though you'll want to look and look and look at your new dog, bear that in mind. Keep friendly, nonchalant and relaxed whilst he's settling in.

Oh wonderful stuff! Brings back so many lovely memories of us getting our family dog. What joy they bring. He's going to have the life of a lord, too. Your love for him is so clear!

Remember that staring at a dog is threatening to them

What if he's sleeping 👀👀👀

I'm going to print this and stick it under my commands list on the fridge

oooh congratulations! We’ve had our rescue German Shepherd for 4 years now and can’t imagine life without her now. I can wait for the photos.

@HangingOver Congratulations on your adopted pup. I got my dog last Christmas and she has changed and saved my life - I now have purpose and a reason to get off my backside and go for a walk (or three!) every day. I hope your dog brings equal joy to your life. xxx

@HangingOver There's puppy survival and adolescent survival threads now. My girl is 6 months old so I'm in both.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/5144947-puppy-survival-thread-for-new-old-pups-soon-be-autumn-2024?page=38&reply=138719014

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/5176104-adolescent-dog-survivalsharing-tips-tails

Have fun with your new pup 😊

I forgot to share a photo of my Ivydog when she was little (she is much bigger now) helping my now adult son with his reading. She was always a sofa hanger.

Beautiful dog, @Fraaahnces 😍

Just want to say I absolutely love your energy and enthusiasm OP, this response really made me giggle. So lovely to see another dog owner get so excited and wanting to be so prepared over training - we were made to feel like we were 'overthinking' the training aspect when we got our pup! Wishing you many happy years with your pooch ❤

I am SO excited for you OP and can't wait to see photos of your new pup.

I had a grrrr/laugh at the people who returned their dog because his fur showed up on their carpet. We actively bought a sofa the same colour as our dog. HA!

Congratulations I had to wait until I was 70 before I got my dog. She was the first one I saw when looking and was just what I wanted. She was 10 and the owner had died and the gran had to take in the two grandchildren and could not take the dog.

I posted about her on another website after and older person asked if she was too old to get a dog. I put a picture of her and got a private message from the gran saying it was her daughter’s dog. The two young teens had been hit by a double tragedy of losing their mum and the pet they had had from a puppy. I was able to post regular photos for them

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!!)

Aww bless him!! 🥹 Enjoy your new furry friend, sounds like he’s going to a lovely home.