Advice/Tips for Dog owners

Kya1976

Whats your best advice/tips for other dog owners? Or for people considering getting a dog/puppy?

A few of mine would be:
*Chose breeder carefully. Really wish people would stop supporting puppy farmers......:(
* Socialise your dog/pup
*Daily exercise/activities( such as kong, search games etc)
*Training, be patient and use reward based methods rather than constant corrections.
*Good diet
*Pet insurance
*Respect other dog owners, It annoys me with people letting their dogs off the lead when they have zero control of their dog.

Hermit07

Here are some of mine

Don't support those people who call themselves breeders and indiscriminatley produce crossbreeds and make up ridiculous names for them e.g. cockerpoo, jugs etc in order to rip off unsuspecting buyers:mad:

Research before you buy, can u really afford the coat care/regular grooming of bicheons, poodles, shiz tus etc?

Don't buy a pedigree dog based on its appearance, instead consider what breed will fit in with your family circumstances, amount of exercise/grooming you can provide, facilities you have etc.

Consider a rescue dog, you might just save a life

Attend training classes with your new puppy instead of sending them off on courses. Owners need to be trained too!

Buy a crate and crate train your dog.

Always keep your dog under control no matter what its breed and clean up after them, Baby nappy sacks are perfect for this.

Dont let your dog wander!

Get your dog neutred if you dont intend to breed from them. Only top quality animals should be bred from. There are enough homeless dogs in pounds without you adding to them. If you think your dog is a quality specimen, then consider showing them, you will have great fun and meet lots of new people.

Consider pet insurance, you just never know when you might need it.

You can great great deals online for dog food, instead of the local supermarket e.g. zooplus. Shop around. Buy in bulk and save yourself money.

LBD

I would say do a lot of research before even considering getting a doggie! As the old saying goes they're not just for christmas they're for life

I don't think alot of people really understand or appreciate the responsibilty of bringing a dog into the family!

joebstarsurfer

If you dont understand dogs dont get a rescue dog Animal welfare people should train the dogs they rescue .But this is Ireland anyone can set a charity or run the CSPCA they would be in prison but this is Ireland.

golden8

Get the right dog that suits your lifestyle.

mymo

Why should it be animal welfare or rescue groups job to train dogs?
If someone has had a dog and given no training, then dumped it on a rescue, with limited resources, they will try to rehome it asap with someone suitable and committed to looking after and training the dog. Thats what you do when you get a dog, whether it is a pup or an adult.
All rescues will try their best to do what they can in the time they have the dogs, but as we know they are overrun with animals at the moment. They use the time to feed, water and care for these dogs health.

I don't intend this post to be an attack, just a plea for people to understand what rescues do.

wolfpawnat

Check for the associated illnesses with each breed, this can help you make an informed decision on costs for looking after the dog.

Think of all of the occupants of your home, if you have another pet, think of them when getting a dog, it is their home too.

Think of the dogs reputation with children if you have a child, some breeds are better with children than others.

TG1

Get It neutered/spayed unless there's very good reasons to breed from it,
and,
realise that getting a dog is like adding another member to the family, so there will be good days and bad days. The bad days are not reason to give up on the pup/dog but need time, patience and training to be work through them.

Cherry Blossom

Kya1976 wrote: »

Whats your best advice/tips for other dog owners? Or for people considering getting a dog/puppy?

Are you willing to give up all of the following for the next 10 to 20 years?

Sleeping late at weekends,
Early nights,
Putting day to day tasks on hold because you are ill,
Staying in when it rains,
Your social life as you currently know it.
Proudly showing visitors your nice garden and tidy home.

Are you prepared for sleepless nights, for always putting yourself second from now on, for taking responsibility for a life and being comfortable with the fact that you are now the centre of it's universe? Are you prepared to nurture it and shape it's personality, to watch it blossom and grow? Are you prepared to change all your plans at the drop of a hat and are you willing to change your entire lifestyle accordingly?

Are you ready to wake up every morning to happy faces and wagging tails welcoming you to a new day? Are you aware of the emotional bonds you will form and how you will reach a point where you can't and don't wish to remember life before you had a dog? Are you prepared for oceans of doggie kisses and hugs, to never again experience the feeling of complete loneliness? Will you embrace the challenge of shaping it's personality and watching it blossom? Do you relish the thought of having a feasible excuse to act like a complete idiot? Are you ready to completely share every part of yourself with a creature that adores the very ground you walk on. Are you willing to open your heart to a life that has only a percentage of the time you do in this world? Are you prepared to watch it grow, flourish in adulthood then mature and grow old? Are you prepared to nurse it though sickness and old age, and when the time comes will you be able to make the decision to let it go and have the strength to carry on with your own life, or indeed, to start from the beginning all over again.

If not - a dog is not the right pet for you.

Cherry Blossom

^^^ I sound like a proper nut-case there :rolleyes:

kylith

There will be hair. It will be in the carpet. It will be on your clothes. It will collect in corners and under chairs. You will find it in your food often. Learn to love the hair. Embrace it.

cjf

joebstarsurfer wrote: »

If you dont understand dogs dont get a rescue dog Animal welfare people should train the dogs they rescue .But this is Ireland anyone can set a charity or run the CSPCA they would be in prison but this is Ireland.

Wow! U have obviously had a bad experience with rescue but to tar all with the same brush is very shortsighted. If u have no experience with dogs getting a rescue dog can be a great idea as there is often a great support system in place after you bring your new dog home and in my experience many rescues go to great lengths to match the right dog with the right home.

My tips would be: spay/neuter, insure, feed good quality food, go to training/socialisation classes weather you new dog is a pup or 10 years old!,
Remember your committing to this dog for 10 years + not just to feed and shelter it but to make sure it has a good quality of life, prepare for a total invasion of your life you are their whole world and they would happily spend every minute of every day with you, get a pooper scooper! Get a good rain coat! Prepare for the fact that not everyone will love your dog as much as you do! Remember the things/places in the house you allow small cute puppy to do and go will be the things and places that your grown dog does/goes! Research your breeds weather buying or rescuing - forget looks focus on the personality traits/ breed generals when picking the best match for you! Remember that dogs are individuals for every "oh so gentle, great with kids, non shedding, non excitable, easy to train, quiet, laid back" dog you hear about is not an accurate represetation of that breed as a whole it's just that particular dog! Small does not equal good with kids! As others have said prepare for hair! Remember the picture you have in your head of the wonderful perfect pet and hold on to it as you will need some motivation when fido tracks muck through the house, destroys your face slippers, scoffs the Sunday chicken right off the counter, swallows something valuable, opens all the Xmas presents 4 days before christmas, pukes behind the couch, destuffs your new cushions, rolls in something stinky etc! And prepare to laugh every day at your one off dog and know there is not one other like him!!

joebstarsurfer

Im adog trainer and see rescued dogs everyday and walk them wrong dogs for the people.
Why should rescue centers lol train dogs why should people walk there own dogs.Why should people pick up after there dogs not get puppies for christmas.
Answer" because it makes sence".A women told me about her charity she volunteerd for waste shocked what she said but the ISPCA couldnt give a bleep they get funded by the church to sit on there arses.Count the amount of stray dogs you see everday!.

joebstarsurfer

If you have a pet read books . These posts are tiny towns retards no training or clue about animals.They probably work for the Ispca there cousin runs it hello ~Ireland

star-pants

joebstarsurfer wrote: »

If you have a pet read books . These posts are tiny towns retards no training or clue about animals.They probably work for the Ispca there cousin runs it hello ~Ireland

Clearly haven't had your Friday Crunchie yet, banned

Tranceypoo

Ah now I want a Crunchie. Thanks Starpants. Sigh.

kylith

Lol, ISPCA funded by the church!

Tranceypoo

kylith wrote: »

Lol, ISPCA funded by the church!

God loves the doggies

Whispered

Aw AJ you big softie :P

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

Sleeping late at weekends,

We're very lucky, we get at least one decent lie in a weekend. After a very long Saturday walk the boys are wrecked, so Sunday morning I'll bring them up to our bed with us. The too lumps will take over half the bed and snore their brains out until 11ish. - So I guess one of my tips would be to allow your dog onto your bed and teach them from the start it's a place to relax and snuggle. :pac:

Seriously though my main tips would be

- consider what you expect to get from a dog, and more importantly what you can give to a dog. If your dog ends up having different needs to what you expected, are you willing to adjust?

- If buying from a breeder, choose your breeder wisely. If you're getting from a rescue choose your rescue wisely too. If getting from the pound, be prepared to put in some extra ground work. It might not be necessary, but sometimes it is. It is always worth it.

- Start training from the second your dog gets home. But always be patient and consistent. Harsh methods can work, but gentle methods have a positive effect on your relationship with your dog and not only train, but builds a bond.

- Research dominance theory and how the man who coined the phrase is now saying how wrong he was. I feel this is important as all through your dogs life you will have people tell you that your dog is doing x,y,z because of "dominance issues".

- Get pet insurance

ashblag

from my experience:
Be prepared for sleepless puppy nights and urine and poo accidents!
Be prepared for chewed furniture, your favourite shoes are also a particular fav to chomp on!
Be prepared to rehabilitate a rescue dog, takes a lot of love and paitence.
Be prepared for your garden to resemble a mine field(2 JRT's who love to dig:rolleyes: it's an obsession!)

Also be prepared:
for big dog food doggie breath kisses:D jumping up on your lap for a cuddle when you get home from work.
Seeing your dog get the trick or command you've been trying to teach for the first time. Unconditional love and big brown eyes wathing your every move.

Oh and the only lie ins we get are when the boys are allowed to come up to the bed! I sept in once BIG mistake... they played tug of war with anything they could find in the kitchen untill i got up!

lorebringer

The one and only tip I would give to potential dog owners is:

Do your research

This applies to every aspect of the dogs life...

Breed
Breeder or rescue
Lifestyle
Food
Treats
Bedding
Toys
Insurance
Veterinary care
Training
Youth
Cleaning
Old age
Walking
The car
Spaying/castration
Children
... and the list goes on

If you do your research, you can make informed choices that you feel are best for you and your dog. Don't be afraid of seeming like a crazy person (to be honest, there are many more out there that are crazier than you!), don't get an idea into your head without being able to back it up with 3 reasons that makes sense (breeds and breeders seems to be the biggest issues here - look into rescue, even if you don't think it is for you and keep an open mind!)

Leave your pride and dignity at the door because you will lose them eventually - get your dog neutered for their benefit (even if it make you feel like less of a man), you will end up looking like a nutter AT LEAST 100 times for a multitude of reasons, you and your house (and your car, and your children...) will be hairy, there will be things that are so disgusting and demeaning that you never though you would do that you will end up doing (and often, be glad to do them!), you will give in to a pair of dinner plate eyes (even though you swore you never would) and you will make sacrifices for those eyes. But for all of this, you will have the time of your life!

Oh, and embrace the destruction

ashblag

Oh, and embrace the destruction [/QUOTE]

I've learned to do this, at first I used to be nearly hyperventilating but now I couldn't care less, the corners of the skirting are chewed to bits. But they are just material things.

If I scould my little guy he'll still go and do something he knows is naughty! And look at me while he's doing it:rolleyes: He's like a teenage doggie rebel!

scarlet_mandy

Insure you're dog before it even steps foot in your car to bring it home! Seriously, don't put it off for weeks cause you're 'getting around to it', you will be so thankful if it's needed!

Also the lie-ins and days of just jumping in the car for a drive will go out the window, you need to be prepared to factor your new family member in all plans, planned in advance or on a whim.

Allow yourself to become the 'one and only' for your dog, it's a lot of responsibility but soooo worth it when your pooch turns to you with sleepy puppy eyes and you're heart melts!

Most importantly, do your research, it's vital that the dog matches your lifestyle not just looks pretty, or cute as a puppy, then you find out it needs 2 hours of sprinting a day to make a dent in it's energy levels, know your breed!

Be aware that dogs go through 'teenage years' where they can ignore you, have you pulling your hair out in frustration coz they seem to have forgotten even their own name, never mind sit, stay, etc. that they nailed as puppies

iguana

wolfpawnat wrote: »

Think of all of the occupants of your home, if you have another pet, think of them when getting a dog, it is their home too.

Think of the dogs reputation with children if you have a child, some breeds are better with children than others.

Not just the current occupants of your home. Childless people who think there is any possibility at all of them having a child/children in the next 12-15 years need to be training their dogs in anticipation of a baby one day being introduced to the household from day 1. The dog should be treated as a dog with a secure (dog's) place in the home that will not change drastically when the baby arrives. The dog is not a stop-gap baby substitute to be mothered until the real thing comes along.

Justask

Advice..... that watching them play WILL NOT take 10 mins :rolleyes:

You (and i've been known to) can spend 2-3 hours watching them :cool:

LucyBliss

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

Are you willing to give up all of the following for the next 10 to 20 years?

Sleeping late at weekends,
Early nights,
Putting day to day tasks on hold because you are ill,
Staying in when it rains,
Your social life as you currently know it.
Proudly showing visitors your nice garden and tidy home.

I would like to mention the opposite of that: when it rains, are you willing to stand in the garden with a creature that needs to pee or poop but hates the rain so much that it refuses to do so, forcing you to be a one person pep rally doing everything but cheerleader routines to get it to do something - anything - so you can go back inside?

Also, be prepared to record any shows you like that are on in the evening because it's very difficult to concentrate on the TV when you're being stared at intently by a dog that doesn't understand or care when you say "but it'll be over in half an hour! We'll go walking then!"