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

astonsmummy

Anyone got any recommedations for insurance, or what to and what not to look out for?
I'm totally confuzzled!

f1re_cr4cker

hi im also researching insurance and think i may go for argos- check it out!

elsien

Have a look at the insurance thread, if you can bear to plough through so many posts.
The main thing is to make sure that it gives lifetime cover for specific conditions. Otherwise if the dog develops a chronic condition, after the first year you'll find it's not covered any more, and you have to fork out for what can be quite expensive medications. Also have a think about what cover you really need - some insurance offer lots of extra's that make it look good, but which you don't really need, or that you may already be covered for under household insurance.
I personally like petplan, but it's not one of the cheapest, so it pays to shop around.

astonsmummy

elsien wrote: »

Have a look at the insurance thread, if you can bear to plough through so many posts.
The main thing is to make sure that it gives lifetime cover for specific conditions. Otherwise if the dog develops a chronic condition, after the first year you'll find it's not covered any more, and you have to fork out for what can be quite expensive medications. Also have a think about what cover you really need - some insurance offer lots of extra's that make it look good, but which you don't really need, or that you may already be covered for under household insurance.
I personally like petplan, but it's not one of the cheapest, so it pays to shop around.

I have! lol and it's confused me even more! :rotfl:

pink_piggy17

astonsmummy wrote: »

Thanks.
She wont touch dry food at all, but i've been reading on a staffie forum that cans are bit crap
We have been taking her over the back field each afternoon, and we have a garden so she's not stuck in all day, plus if we go up the shops we'll take her with us (only if me and OH go though)
I went out and bought her 2 toys today and she's soooooooo not interested!
All she wants to do is cuddle up to us bless her.

yes, canned food is total muck, it's similar to have a McDonald's for dinner every night yourself I imagine! If you tried giving her dry and she didn't eat it and you took it up and gave in and gave her canned, she will know this, you need to be persistent. give her a bowl of dry with something tasty mixed in (e.g. tinned tuna, pieces of chicken or meat etc) and leave it there for 15 mins. if she doesn't eat it, take it away until the next day. She will soon learn that she has a window of opportunity in which to eat her dinner and you won't give in and give her something else. Don't worry about her being hungry, a dog won't starve itself lol. It's for the best in the long run and once she starts eating it she will realise it's not that bad after all! most dogs love their dry food once they get into the habit of eating it.

as for the exercise, it's great that she's getting out but she also needs about an hour a day of proper walking on the lead, it's essential for healthy bones/muscle/weight/heart/lungs etc and also provides mental stimulation and an opportunity to socialize with other dogs she may meet along the way.

astonsmummy

pink_piggy17 wrote: »

yes, canned food is total muck, it's similar to have a McDonald's for dinner every night yourself I imagine! If you tried giving her dry and she didn't eat it and you took it up and gave in and gave her canned, she will know this, you need to be persistent. give her a bowl of dry with something tasty mixed in (e.g. tinned tuna, pieces of chicken or meat etc) and leave it there for 15 mins. if she doesn't eat it, take it away until the next day. She will soon learn that she has a window of opportunity in which to eat her dinner and you won't give in and give her something else. Don't worry about her being hungry, a dog won't starve itself lol. It's for the best in the long run and once she starts eating it she will realise it's not that bad after all! most dogs love their dry food once they get into the habit of eating it.

as for the exercise, it's great that she's getting out but she also needs about an hour a day of proper walking on the lead, it's essential for healthy bones/muscle/weight/heart/lungs etc and also provides mental stimulation and an opportunity to socialize with other dogs she may meet along the way.

LOL the first part of your post is exactly what I would say to a parent who's child refuses food! :rotfl: quite logical really, I'll give it a go.

pink_piggy17

lol, I clueless about human kids but now I know the same rules apply if I ever have to mind one lol! staffies that I have known are usually like labs, i.e. will eat whatever is on the table and then the table itself for dessert lol, hopefully you're one will grow out of her fussiness anyway. good luck!