What one thing would you tell a prospective dog owner?
Discussion
Great comments here thank you and thankfully nothing that seems to be too surprising or shocking!
Went to see 'our' puppy yesterday and all seemed well. Sire is a local stud, KC reg lab, and Dam, who we saw, is a the family pet, a 3 year old KC reg springer and this is her first litter. No health screening or hip scores tested re the lab sire and the KC estimated scores are slightly above average (I asume these are based on lineage) with an estimated hip score of 13.5 (combined) compared to an average of 12. Would this put you off? I asume it being a springer/lab cross this would be of less concern than if a pure lab?
Our pup seemed health enough from what we saw, lively enough but relatively calm and not one of the more boisterous of the litter. I think we are going to commit to it (obviously hideously expensive but demand is what it is). Pup appeared healthy to my untrained eye and will be vet checked and chipped before released. Anything I may have missed or should check?
Went to see 'our' puppy yesterday and all seemed well. Sire is a local stud, KC reg lab, and Dam, who we saw, is a the family pet, a 3 year old KC reg springer and this is her first litter. No health screening or hip scores tested re the lab sire and the KC estimated scores are slightly above average (I asume these are based on lineage) with an estimated hip score of 13.5 (combined) compared to an average of 12. Would this put you off? I asume it being a springer/lab cross this would be of less concern than if a pure lab?
Our pup seemed health enough from what we saw, lively enough but relatively calm and not one of the more boisterous of the litter. I think we are going to commit to it (obviously hideously expensive but demand is what it is). Pup appeared healthy to my untrained eye and will be vet checked and chipped before released. Anything I may have missed or should check?
Having just had the worst health nightmare with my Spaniel Cross I would want full hip/elbow and patella testing from both parents and look for proven sporting litters. Spaniels can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
Granted my dogs are working/ sports dogs but honestly it is a nightmare dealing with joint issues whatever your lifestyle - not just at the time of surgery but afterwards with almost guaranteed arthritis in later life because of surgery.
That's my feelings on it. If you have made up your mind already I do understand that emotion.... just get yourself bloody good insurance and learn about how to spot symptoms of lameness early - it is not always the obvious things to look for in their gait
Granted my dogs are working/ sports dogs but honestly it is a nightmare dealing with joint issues whatever your lifestyle - not just at the time of surgery but afterwards with almost guaranteed arthritis in later life because of surgery.
That's my feelings on it. If you have made up your mind already I do understand that emotion.... just get yourself bloody good insurance and learn about how to spot symptoms of lameness early - it is not always the obvious things to look for in their gait
Puppy teeth are sharp! Be prepared for the teething stages from about 3 months - frozen carrot sticks can be a godsend for this
Be prepared to use google for what fruit and veg dogs can eat - we're pretty strict on not giving him any of our food but he does get bits of fruit and veg. Loves slices of apple, bits of banana, blueberries, carrots, butternut squash
Oh and be prepared to laugh. A lot!
(Cooper, Working Cocker, 2.5 years old)
As above, be prepared to go out and leave for periods. I have been WFH since last March and am now permanently home based. Need to get back in the habit of leaving him and build him back up, as he has become very clingy - before when he was left for a few hours on a morning he was fine
Be prepared to use google for what fruit and veg dogs can eat - we're pretty strict on not giving him any of our food but he does get bits of fruit and veg. Loves slices of apple, bits of banana, blueberries, carrots, butternut squash
Oh and be prepared to laugh. A lot!
(Cooper, Working Cocker, 2.5 years old)
As above, be prepared to go out and leave for periods. I have been WFH since last March and am now permanently home based. Need to get back in the habit of leaving him and build him back up, as he has become very clingy - before when he was left for a few hours on a morning he was fine
Edited by Pieman68 on Thursday 18th February 12:40
Go to "Dog Owner" training classes and realise the owners need as much training as the dogs do. Make sure the dog is treated like a dog, not a child.
Dogs are pack animals and they have an overwhelming desire to be top dog, make sure they don't get the chance to be top dog.
Dogs will pick up on your fears. If you are scared your dog will be aggressive to other dogs or people, they will sense this fear and become defensive which most owner think is aggression. Dogs tend to bark and growl at other dogs to encourage then to play they are not starting a fight.
Dog Poo keeps your hands warm on a frosty morning.
Dogs are pack animals and they have an overwhelming desire to be top dog, make sure they don't get the chance to be top dog.
Dogs will pick up on your fears. If you are scared your dog will be aggressive to other dogs or people, they will sense this fear and become defensive which most owner think is aggression. Dogs tend to bark and growl at other dogs to encourage then to play they are not starting a fight.
Dog Poo keeps your hands warm on a frosty morning.
ARHarh said:
.....Dogs tend to bark and growl at other dogs to encourage then to play they are not starting a fight......
This - many other dog owners and those who don't own a dog assume growling/barking is aggression. It can be sometimes, but mostly its because they want to play.Also, the trainer aspect. We had training with the dogs trust for the first six months, he's now disobedient at times (2.5 yrs old) and we're having to re-train to some extent.
Ranger 6 said:
Also, the trainer aspect. We had training with the dogs trust for the first six months, he's now disobedient at times (2.5 yrs old) and we're having to re-train to some extent.
Training is never 'done' or 'finished'. You will always have to practise and rehearse skills to top them up or they will fade. If your dog is being 'disobedient' then I would suggest perhaps it's not understanding what you're asking or the way you are asking it or perhaps the original training had little gaps that need filling in
Is there something specific that's happening that you'd like to resolve? Happy to try to help if you are happy to explain on here.
Edited by parakitaMol. on Thursday 18th February 16:45
rix said:
OK, limited pics at the moment but here goes...
Really appreciating the suggestions/feedback!
We are at the 6 month mark now. Heres one from when we got himReally appreciating the suggestions/feedback!
Biting was relentless no matter the redirection. Toys, carrots, kongs the works. He would nip and my wife had a few teary moments where things were just bad.
I’m still struggling with sleeping. He sleeps at 9pm and we just can’t keep him awake any later no matter what we try. We take him for a wee at 10 and hes up at 5. Tried alarms, crying it out the works. Unfortunately he just needs a poo at that time.
Now his adult teeth have come through he is a different dog, much calmer, mouths a little bit but doesn’t bite, just nibbles. Loves a belly scratch, sleeps on the sofa, which I have encouraged and am happy for him to do.
The worst trait is him leash walking, hes brilliant until he sees another dog and then he pulls like mad. I need to be more consistent with him because some people we stop and talk to with other dogs and then they jump all over each other whereas some we try to get him to walk past.
On the whole its been an experience, we are starting to get the dog that we wanted and it’s been bloody hard work.
Edited by sc0tt on Thursday 18th February 17:44
I should keep a diary...
To eliminate the 5am get up I turned off the hot water and heating to come on at 6 instead of 5am so that the bangs and clanks wouldn’t wake him up.
My neighbor went to work at 5:06 so that didn’t work.
Anyway he had a turd in the garden so popped him back in the crate and went back to bed. Came down at 6 and i could smell something was off so first job of the day is to clean the poo out of his fur in the sink. Lovely.
Good luck
To eliminate the 5am get up I turned off the hot water and heating to come on at 6 instead of 5am so that the bangs and clanks wouldn’t wake him up.
My neighbor went to work at 5:06 so that didn’t work.
Anyway he had a turd in the garden so popped him back in the crate and went back to bed. Came down at 6 and i could smell something was off so first job of the day is to clean the poo out of his fur in the sink. Lovely.
Good luck
t with me.I would also strongly urge prospective owners to read up on the significant dangers of paediatric spaying and neutering.
Once done, you can not undo. You (and the dog will carry the cost for life).
Science on physical and emotional impact has moved on significantly in the past 5-10 years. Some vets are up to date on this - but many are not. Owners need to understand the risks involved in early de-sexing and also the benefits of delaying until full maturity.
Once done, you can not undo. You (and the dog will carry the cost for life).
Science on physical and emotional impact has moved on significantly in the past 5-10 years. Some vets are up to date on this - but many are not. Owners need to understand the risks involved in early de-sexing and also the benefits of delaying until full maturity.
Me and my OH got a pup 3 months ago, the overall view is that it is exhausting. Puppies need CONSTANT attention so forget any ideas of being able to get some work done while they nicely lie by your feet chewing on a toy for hours on end. We also had the added complication of a reoccuring UTI when she was 10-12 weeks old. This constant need for supervision is also very tiring. One thing we have had good is night time. From the very first night she has slept very well. I can imagine everything would be a lot worse if we were woken up half a dozen times a night.
We also got her off-lead nice and early - I think 12 weeks old. She still had the puppy slightly nervous instinct so were able to get good recall going early.
The barking can be mind breaking. You must resist reinforcing it otherwise it will continue!
We also got her off-lead nice and early - I think 12 weeks old. She still had the puppy slightly nervous instinct so were able to get good recall going early.
The barking can be mind breaking. You must resist reinforcing it otherwise it will continue!
AdiT said:
Pick the quiet one, not the bouncy one.
This isn't always the case.Lebowski was the last of his litter of 6, arrived 1-2 hours after the other 5, bigger than the rest, nothing bothered him (hoovering, washing machine noise etc) seen him at 6 weeks old and he was asleep most of the time and went to sleep in the food dish. (this convinced the other half the name Lebowski was a great fit)
He went to loads of puppy socialising classes and then on to puppy training. Excelled at both.
He is 2 this weekend and is still a nutter.
Edited by ade73 on Saturday 20th February 16:56
Edited by ade73 on Saturday 20th February 17:03
gazapc said:
The barking can be mind breaking. You must resist reinforcing it otherwise it will continue!
It can, but it is often the only way for a dog to communicate a multitude of things. I'd find out what a dog is barking at/why (eg something they don't understand/worry about or if it is simply excitement or frustration) and work to resolve that. Most people can't see how they are perpetuating things - so it's helpful to ask 'what do you think is he barking at?' then they say 'when I put my coat on or when I lift the toddler up' so then we can see what the triggers are and find a way to resolve how the dog copes with these household events better. It is also good to know the breed because some breeds are significantly more barky or prone to frustration.
P.S I have the most persistent barker ever known to the history of dogs.
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