What do you think you got right about dog choices?

[VanGoSunflowers]

Somewhat light hearted and to get you to share your proudest moments and the best choices you made!

I will start - first time dog owner and I have a 13 week old black lab puppy and I’m very glad I went for a black dog as my house is very dark and I can’t see his fur everywhere 😂

Plus, he is just absolutely adorable in my humble opinion.

Our cavalier has been a brilliant choice for a family dog. He is loyal, loving, gentle and just the goodest boy when out and about, and everyone adores him.

And so far, despite all the possible horrible ailments the breed can get, he’s still in perfect health.

I was unsure about getting a spaniel - I wanted a terrier type - but I couldn’t have chosen a better dog.

@VanGoSunflowers I had that problem with P. At three months old, she would sit to greet people and when recalled. Then we met far too many people who actively encouraged her to run and jump up at them. And because everyone thinks she is a springer puppy instead of an adult cocker, she still gets away with it.
Not quite so cute when you stop and talk to someone and she will leap up head height at them. And now K has started to do it too. 🙈

What have I got right? 🤔 Ditched the ex and got two more dogs. 😂

Letting DH and MIL talk me into having a specific dog from a litter MIL had bred. Small terrier, 100% not my type of dog but they were convinced he was right for us.
We had him for 15 years and he was awesome. Not yappy, sweet natured, brilliant with dogs, kids, cats, easy to train. Coped brilliantly when we took him travelling in a camper, bomb proof recall and cute as anything.

The other was teaching them tricks and using them as a way of giving medication - so in quick succession we did sit - treat, paw - treat, lie down - medication, up - treat, fetch, treat.

Have to agree with you!

Our first dog is a bright white husky/collie cross and she sheds so much. For someone with a predominantly black wardrobe it is not fun.

Our second dog is a black lab and she matches in with the clothes🤣

Glad it’s not just me 😂
I mean I get it, watching a puppy getting all excited and licky and jumpy and waggy IS adorable. But won’t be so adorable when he’s fully grown! I obviously don’t know how big he’s going to get but I reckon if he tried hard enough he could knock my son off his feet now so it’s been a priority for me to try and control it as much as I can with limited success so far 😂
I must admit, the image of P and K I have in my head jumping up that high does put a little smile on my face 😊

And as you know, I am totally in agreement with ditching the ex and replacing with dog(s) 😂

We've never really "chosen" our dogs, as they've all been rescues and until the current dog, were older dogs with difficulties caused by their previous lives and/or health issues - We've tendedto adopt dogs that nobody else wanted.

We lost a dog we'd only had for just over 2 years (cancer - she went very quickly; she was fabulous with us but reactive to all dogs and most humans owing to the extreme cruelty she'd previously suffered) in June 24 and said "No more - we can't go through the grief again."

Three months later, we heard of a 5 year old dog desperately needing a home because her owner had died very suddenly and unexpectedly. She's a staffy-labrador cross, was owned from being a puppy, loves all humans and is good with other dogs. I tell people "It's like the Universe said 'You've done your time with poor dogs nobody else wanted. Here - have this one. She's practically perfect in every way." She's a blessing and a joy.

@CoubousAndTourmalet sadly, we have a Fenella in the family! We have an Emily as well, or I’d have been super lazy and gone with ‘Em’ 😁

Miniature poodle here. I’ve had a golden retriever, Labrador and Labradoodle. My poodle is easily the best dog ever. She’s very intelligent but keen to please. Recall is 100% and she loves other dogs. She was literally no trouble as a puppy. She doesn’t shed. After living with shedding dogs a none shedder is a revelation. She rarely barks.

The watch me trick to take his attention as a dodgy looking dog walks by! Best thing I’ve ever done are the times I just sit with him, no phone no anything. Good for him, great for me x

Starting Agility with my hyperactive cookerpoo. He's so much calmer and happier now than he was from pup to 2 years old. He loves to please me and nothing I ask of him in the ring is to much! Sometimes he does get a bit carried away and tries to do a course without me! 😆

Adopting two ex racing greyhounds. They were both dumped at a rescue when they were three years old.

Sweet natured, love everyone they meet, well behaved around the house, comical and I now understand why greyhound people (and I class myself as one) are so in love with the breed 😍

@LadyGrillingSole my friend has a rescue Greyhound and she is so lovely and sweet natured. They are beautiful dogs!

Starting gundog lessons - amazing for my dog but I’ve made such a lovely group of friends there. We all walk/train together frequently (all have spaniels) and it’s been an added bonus I didn’t expect.
Also so glad we went for a Springer, I know they aren’t often recommended for a first dog but he’s bloody awesome!

Black lab here too. Glad we got a bigger dog, find little ones too yappy. Glad of the breed, they are just so lovely.

@DominoRules can I ask what part of the country you are in please?

Had two black labs, only one now 😢. Like others, the colour of the hair was a big factor, having lived with Golden Retrievers in the past.

I am glad that I spent a long time on formal training. We did Canine Good Citizen awards and gun dog training with my boy, ( then let him train the girl 😳)
Made such a difference - I could take them anywhere and they didn’t let me down. Female is still with us and is just so very calm.

I recommend ‘Bonding with your Dog’ by Victoria Schade. I also recommend working on being calm as that will calm your dog

Small super friendly and loving short haired fun loving dog who doesn’t bark, loves exercise but also happy napping and is easy to train, my gorgeous little Boston terrier, like a mini version of my previous more mischievous boxer!

@VanGoSunflowers I’m in Sussex

We have a 7 year old border collie, he’s our world, but boy it’s an experience having him. Both DH and I had dogs growing up, but they weren’t our responsibility. We do often ask what it would be like to have a dog that isn’t so clever, that doesn’t need routine and you have have a conversation that isn’t picked up by him.
PS we are in a holiday home at the moment and he’s shedding hair everywhere, despite being brushed daily.

I thought of a serious one.
The thing I got right was volunteering to foster for a dog rescue charity. I've been able to give a dog a loving home and help improve her quality of life. I also help in the process of rehoming other dogs. It's very rewarding if you can do it.

I read up about breed traits scared myself shitless then worked on exploiting the positive traits. Used a few different trainers to get me in the right direction. Now have an intelligent, intuitive, mostly well behaved dog, not blindly obedient but thinks about it! 🙈. Not overly keen on saying hello to everyones dog but certainly happy to interact with people. She has learnt skills that make her an interesting, and useful dog. Apart from agility(she can't see the point!🙈) she has learnt skills at a lower level that police/ search/ acting dogs use.

I have a working cocker spaniel. He is a teenager and hard work, but the things I got right was doing my research and knowing what to expect, choosing a good breeder and finding a good gundog trainer. It is very easy for me to focus on the negatives as he can be a nightmare at the minute but there’s plenty of positives to counteract it!