Very new dog owner, what the hell do I do?

Boppy_2

astonsmummy wrote: »

LOL she's a red staffie.
She seems fine with us already, was a bit hyper at first but she's quietened donw and takes orders such as 'sit' and 'lay down'

Just wait until you have visitors around and she will show you up royally then :rotfl: Every person that comes through your door has come to see her now, not you, thats what she'll think anyway :rotfl:

Your going to have so much fun with her, i'm all dog broody now!!

astonsmummy

Boppy wrote: »

Just wait until you have visitors around and she will show you up royally then :rotfl: Every person that comes through your door has come to see her now, not you, thats what she'll think anyway :rotfl:

Your going to have so much fun with her, i'm all dog broody now!!

Awwwww, yeah we've had one visitor already and she definately made herself known.
She keeps following me round everywhere bless her.

astonsmummy

Is there anything I can do to make her feel more settled, she's obviously going to miss her previous owner.

elsien

Toys - kongs and nylabones will last a while, even with power chewers.
The best advice I was given was that rehomed dogs are given a month or so to settle in by new owners, and have their feet under the table in the first fortnight, so start as you mean to go on with regard to behaviour, and what is/isn't acceptable.
With feeding and walks, you need to find a routine that suits you. I take mine out for a quick wee first thing in the morning, then feed her. A walk of an hour or so mid afternoon when she does the necessary, another meal at 6pm ish and a final walk round the block at 10pm. (Coz she won't use the garden as a toilet.) As long as your routine is regular, the dog should fit into it fairly easily - there aren't any hard and fast rules, whatever suits you both. It might take a bit of time to settle, so don't be surprised if there's the odd accident.
Have you decided how much of the house the dog is allowed into - downstairs only, or the full house? I use baby gates on the stairs because mine can't be trusted not to acquire shoes and loo roll.
Vaccinations and insurance need checking out as well.
Staffies are lovely dogs and at 18months old it should be past the really silly puppy stage. Good luck to you both.

astonsmummy

Thanks, I'm just looking at insurance.
She's apparently had her jabs, but the previous owners cant find her vet book, so maybe not.
Any ideas how much a check up at the vets would cost?

cocoluvsmummy

ring a couple of local vets and ask then how much, it can be differnt at each one, if you can find out which vet she had her jabs at they will have it on record so you will be able to get it confirmed when they are due again etc.

enjoy haveing her, dogs are hard work but great fun, but can be very costly so get that insurance (my lovely jess has cost me £5500 so far this year and we are off to the small animal hosp at liverpool again today so who knows how much more its going to be)

candygirl

Awwww Am I have 2 staffies, and they are the best dogs in the world[STRIKE]pics in pets photo thread[/STRIKE].Unlike my labs who chewed everything in the house my 2 are very well behaved, and adapted well to the daily routines, car journeys etc in no time.:D
What's she called, and get a piccy up in the pics thread ASAP
ps the only thing i'd advise is don't give her any easy to chew toys as they destroy them in no time, they need the strong ones, or none at all as my mates staffy died after getting a piece of plastic toy stuck in his tummy:(:(

kiwifruit_2

ive found that consistency and routine works best.....my dog will go to the toilet on command by having just taught him the word and he always goes to the loo in the same area - this is easily taught if you teach from an early age - and reward your dog when he/she does as you want....also my dog recognises the word 'drink' and so when i say ' get a drink' he will go to the water bucket.....have a toy that is just for your staffi.....when she goes to get an item you dont want her to have, take that from her and replace it with the toy.......she will learn....tennis balls are always good for just throwing while you are sat lmao.......a blanket for her to lie on specially at bed time is always a good idea too so then she knows where you expect her to be during the night.....have fun with her

candygirl

Sorry but no tennis balls for staffies:eek: :eek: .At the risk of sounding alarmist my 2 can tear one apart in seconds, and swallow the contents.Staffies need the indestructible toys or none at all [STRIKE]harsh but true[/STRIKE];)

astonsmummy

Thanks guys, I'm in Love!
I got up at 6am and took her for a walk, it was great!
Might even loose myself a bit of weight in the process!
What do you think about harnesses?
OH wants to get one, he said it's better for her neck than a normal collar.