Bringing home my first puppy, what should I know?

[SL3VIN]

So I'm planning to get my first dog sometime next month, my mom has a lot of experience with dogs and I'm starting to read up on some books, but to any dog owners out there, What should I know, or prepare for its arrival. What do I need to buy, and can anyone refer me to a good vet?

Thanks,

-Tony

[m_bisson]

Don't over feed it. Don't kick it. Train asap and be strict. Operant conditioning, my friend, operant conditioning.

[RECREATIONAL_ANXIETY]

Don't get it wet, and never feed it after midnight...

[TokyoKiller]

I don't own a dog, but it would be helpful if you state your local vicinity so that people can point you to a good vet in your area.

[laksman91]

I don't own a dog, but it would be helpful if you state your local vicinity so that people can point you to a good vet in your area.

We have a Vet. on this board :p

[TokyoKiller]

We have a Vet. on this board :p

For real?! That's pretty cool actually...TM3 discount???

[S.F.W.]

For real?! That's pretty cool actually...TM3 discount???
MSMitch is the vet. PM him if you need something.

[SL3VIN]

I live in the North York area, I think MSMitch is specialized in surgery...

[DruidB]

Be prepared for piss and shit inside your house... on second thought... get a cat.

[MistaChin]

Get him socializing with other kids and other dogs as much as you can otherwise he'll become super overprotective and not trust anyone. It's difficult to have people over at the place when this happens.

[SilentJay]

http://spoilurpets.com/images/Pet%20Puppy%20Pads.JPG

[MSMitch]

Hey there,
Yeah I specialize in surgery. So really you hope to never have to see me. That said if you do need to see me - pet insurance will be your best friend.
Insurance can be a few hundred a year but one 'simple' fracture or emergency hospitalization will easily run a few grand.
Oh and the insurance companies don't pay me!
Good luck. What kind of puppy?

[Noisy Crow]

Lots of good info here:

http://www.purina.ca/mypuppy

[midnightfxgt]

Toss an old school alarm clock under the bed/pillow that the dog sleeps on. Once they are away from the litter, they are scared, and this helps them sleep. It mimics the noise of a heartbeat that would normally be beside them in a litter. It worked amazing for my first dog who wouldnt sleep on her own the first week.

Also, try to let them sleep on their own, and not always be around you. Hard with a new puppy, but it will be better in the long run when they dont get separation anxiety :)

-John

[Riftler]

What kind of dog you getting? Just make sure you know their habits. I use to own a Labrador/dalmatian and dalmatians apprently don't work well with kids, it kept biting my little brother so I had to give it away. I heard to never let dogs sit on the couch or else they think their the leader of the "pack", don't know if that applies to puppies

[chinsterr]

Don't fall for the puppy eyes. Be strict !

He/She will walk all over you otherwise.

[Noisy Crow]

Don't fall for the puppy eyes. Be strict !

He/She will walk all over you otherwise.

+1

One of the best things you can do for your dog (and yourself) is to start training your dog as soon as you get him home. He needs to know that you are in charge, and that you set the rules. For example, It _is_ possible to take your dog for a walk without him yanking on the lead or dragging back to sniff every fire hydrant.... but you would never know it from what you see outside everyday, as dogs walk their people around the neighbourhood.

[prinsesa]

CUDDLE WITH THE PUPPY !!!!!!!!!!

What kind of dog is it?

[Turok]

I recommend also when they are puppies and its feeding time you interact and take their food away.. so if you ever have little kids around the dog is use to things like that and wont be protective or aggressive if you have family over with kids.

Some dogs can be aggressive if they are disturbed when eating or touched. We did this for our old English Bulldog and it worked great when my nephew or nieces came over to visit they always would bug her when she was eating or just hover around and she was never bothered by human interaction while eating her food.

Same goes with toys.. I recommend getting the dog use to having toys removed or taken away (obviously you give it back to them, this is just so they know that your in charge) specially if you have kids around.

[SL3VIN]

Thanks for all the help, I'm getting a Jack Russell Terrier. Its going to be a very energetic dog.

[chinsterr]

Thanks for all the help, I'm getting a Jack Russell Terrier. Its going to be a very energetic dog.

I hope you like running and playing fetch.

My dog is a Jack Rusell/Pug/other.... essently a jack russell with pug colouring.

[Noisy Crow]

Thanks for all the help, I'm getting a Jack Russell Terrier. Its going to be a very energetic dog.

Woot!... you've just acquired the canine version of the Tasmanian Devil!

[Default User]

With an indoor playful dog you should be prepared for them gnawing on shoes, furniture etc. There is/was a spray that made these chewable items taste horrible to the dog and deter them from chewing on them.

Show the dog whose boss
house train by frequent walks

and please please please pick up after your dog.

[mzkaye729]

Get him socializing with other kids and other dogs as much as you can otherwise he'll become super overprotective and not trust anyone. It's difficult to have people over at the place when this happens.

I agree with this one quite strongly. Make sure you socialize it at an early stage. I have a Yorkie and I was really protective over it as it is such a small dog and the three times I took it to a dog park, it kept picking fights with the big dogs. Everytime he'd pick a fight with the big dogs, I end up having a mini heart-attack in the dog park. Fearless little bugger. Now he doesn't trust anybody and if he can't see your face (if you're wearing a hoodie, or a cap), it's over.... he will bark up a storm and circle around you to try and get a good look at you.

Now it's protective of me. Won't let anybody near me and starts having a fit if some stranger (or even someone I know and someone he has "met" before) is near me. I'm not sure what kind of temperament your puppy has but if it's anything like my Yorkie, be prepared to run around a lot. Little dogs have so much energy.

[SL3VIN]

Just a quick update here is a picture of my new puppy...

http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii452/SL3VIN_7/12daysMale2ears1.jpg

He is a 12 day old JRT and he is currently still at the breeders. Going to pick him up in a couple of weeks.

[Riftler]

Wow! 12 days?! O man, so damn adorable, but i'd be scared as hell leaving it alone since its so young.

[SilentJay]

Must... resist... urge.. to... fawn...



Awwwww :D

[Rob23]

nice man, i have a JRT and my girlfriend has one too. they are amazing dogs. but you have to make sure you can handle them, they are crazy...

[JohnyGT]

Don't get it wet, and never feed it after midnight...

LMAO

[TokyoKiller]

Awww! So cute...

I actually couldn't resist and went down to PJ's Pet Store and stood there for an hour glaring at the dogs...I saw one dog that really caught my eyes. I want her...sigh, if I only lived alone -.-

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Awww! So cute...

I actually couldn't resist and went down to PJ's Pet Store and stood there for an hour glaring at the dogs...I saw one dog that really caught my eyes. I want her...sigh, if I only lived alone -.-

Never buy a pet from PJ's. There are many reasons why, this video summarizes them (http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/how_not_to_buy_a_puppy/main.html).

[TokyoKiller]

Never buy a pet from PJ's. There are many reasons why, this video summarizes them (http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/how_not_to_buy_a_puppy/main.html).

Yeah I've already decided on that one, I plan to get it from a private breeder of some sort once the day comes for me to own a dog.

[mazdabetty]

***Reviving an old thread for some questions!!***

Anyone here have experience with crate training a puppy? Not having much luck unfortunately, any advice/experience stories are MUCH appreciated :)

[m_bisson]

Praise for good behaviour. Did you try a blanket over it?

[mathew.poulos]

***Reviving an old thread for some questions!!***

Anyone here have experience with crate training a puppy? Not having much luck unfortunately, any advice/experience stories are MUCH appreciated :)

+1 for blanket.

If this is a new dog/puppy...I had a rough couple of opening weeks. Few nights I slept on the floor next to the crate, than moved to the couch, than back to my bed. I remember reading that the dog is likely having separation anxiety. It was recently taken from its home(to come live with you) and it is afraid it is now loosing you too. After a few weeks the dog will learn to love its crate and want to go in it when its tired. Make sure it is dark in there (resembles a den) with not to much bedding but still something soft.

[mazdabetty]

So definitely pushing the positive reinforcement. Treats upon entering, warm blankets inside and one covering the top, ticking clock wrapped in blanket, etc. We've also started feeding him all meals in the crate to make it a "happy" place for him. He doesn't mind the crate itself as much, the biggest problem is as soon as we close the door hell breaks loose and he just screams. (I didn't know puppies could make sounds like that haha)

mathew.poulos, was there any point where you just kind of left him in there to cry it out and ignored it? I'm finding this extremely difficult to do.... yesterday he screamed for an hour before finally taking a breath so we could let him out :( ughhh so heartbreaking. I'm always curious to hear from people how long it took for the crying to finally stop

[mathew.poulos]

So definitely pushing the positive reinforcement. Treats upon entering, warm blankets inside and one covering the top, ticking clock wrapped in blanket, etc. We've also started feeding him all meals in the crate to make it a "happy" place for him. He doesn't mind the crate itself as much, the biggest problem is as soon as we close the door hell breaks loose and he just screams. (I didn't know puppies could make sounds like that haha)

mathew.poulos, was there any point where you just kind of left him in there to cry it out and ignored it? I'm finding this extremely difficult to do.... yesterday he screamed for an hour before finally taking a breath so we could let him out :( ughhh so heartbreaking. I'm always curious to hear from people how long it took for the crying to finally stop

we did leave him in there to go nuts a few times but we weren't home so it was easier to not give in to his winning. A few times I came home to destroyed blankets, crate half way across the room, and a couple times he even escaped. It was hell

I did also correct his behavior after a while. I would go over to the crate, open the door and make him lay down and stop crying. I had to do it probably 150 times but repetition is key with puppies. When he came out of the crate I would take him outside immediately, if he went to the bathroom then it was play time. If he didnt I would bring him back to his crate for a 15 minute nap and try again. He quickly learned it was Eat, Sleep, Poop, then we Play.

[mazdabetty]

Hahah... oh my goodness...

This is reassuring for me. Hopefully it will get better at some point. Thank you :)

[gabbygenier]

we did leave him in there to go nuts a few times but we weren't home so it was easier to not give in to his winning. A few times I came home to destroyed blankets, crate half way across the room, and a couple times he even escaped. It was hell

I did also correct his behavior after a while. I would go over to the crate, open the door and make him lay down and stop crying. I had to do it probably 150 times but repetition is key with puppies. When he came out of the crate I would take him outside immediately, if he went to the bathroom then it was play time. If he didnt I would bring him back to his crate for a 15 minute nap and try again. He quickly learned it was Eat, Sleep, Poop, then we Play.


its funny. you read not to do anything when they wine in some places and other places you read. they say to make him stop by making a loud noise or doing what you said.

i have him at my work during the day and hes fine here. he will stay in his crate with the door closed for at least half hour with no issues with me walking in and out of the shop. he started whining once and every time he did, i would say "no" really loud but not even look at him.

we did go for a drive last night for about 1/2 hour and left him in the crate at home. when we came back he was sleeping. i think we may have to try that more often. or do what you mentioned. he is part husky so he is VERY stubborn. but he has learnt that i am more stubborn then he is haha