Puppy Advice (merged)

MoneySavingStudent_2

Try not to think of just a breed.
If its a rescue centre you proberbly wont have much choice as to what is there. But alot of Xbreeds are in rescues. I also thought labs were the best! But when we found Copper (Ridgeback cross Maybe with a Lab) we thought she was brilliant! She was extremely friendly and we havent met a dog yet that doesnt get on with her! She puts up with alot from my sister who has learning difficulties and Copper is very mature considering she is only a yr old (4 months old when we got her). Copper is very good with my sister and we let my sister walk Copper, knowing full well that Copper will look after her.

I just adopted another doggie in April, Roxie the german shep cross. I thought german sheps were very protective, barky (Guard dog type) dogs which were more standing outside and protecting the house. But when i saw Roxie my view was changed completely! Shes a cross so shes not as big as a german shep but she is soooooo affectionate giving licks to EVERYONE including Copper AND shes very scared of men (meaning she barks at them) And in a house full of females, any electricians that think they might be able to get away with charging us more, tend to think again!

Copper & Roxie are also friends with other dogs that come to stay. Charlie the Staffie is an extremely affectionate doggie and Sally (the mix of everything) is also a sweet doggie.

I think youll just have to go to the rescue centre, explain your situation and see what they have! Dont keep one breed in mind, as if a dog is trained properly and looked after, they will be perfect for you!

Raksha

I'm afraid a good puppy class won't take a dog whose already 5 months old - they are now teenagers and it would be like putting an adolescent human in with the nursery kids If they do take puppies of that age, they may not actually be doing your dog (or the puppies) any favours, as they won't learn to play appropriate games.

Personally, if this was my dog, I'd see if I could find somebody locally with an older steadier dog, and see if they would mind if I walked alongside them at a distance at which my dog was comfortable, and slowly, over a period of days, work on decreasing the distance. Then work up the scale of activity levels in dogs, so she slowly gets more used to the 'busier' dogs.

HTH

Smickan

keswez wrote: »

Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire

Try the Blue Cross - they have posters in advertising some puppy classes, we were in there on yesterday.

Debussy

We have a pup who is four months and she suffers from fear aggression. She is gradually getting better. She went to puppy classes (the dogs had to be under 16 weeks to join the class) and that did help, but the walking, using as many different routes as possible, was the best.

She used to bark at men, people walking out of their gates, cars, bins and all the dogs. Now it's just the dogs, although today she met a beautiful Tibetan Terrier and didn't bark at all (she does seem to prefer males).

So, I would advise perseverance with the walks, and possibly distracting with a squeaky toy when you feel the bark coming on ...

bexbex

Thanks for all the advice!
Well she's here and I'm very happy with her.
She has only had a few accidents in the house and goes out to the back garden when she needs to go (all enclosed and we've lived here 3 years with no other dogs so no risk to her)
She's due her final injection tomorrow morning and then I think it's a week later she'll be able to go out properly after then.
She is a very fast learner and can sit and fetch so having a great time playing with her lol

Debussy

Does your daughter suffer from any allergies? I work at a school for special needs children, and a lot of the kids suffer from asthma, or ezcema, which can be made a lot worse by dog hair (especially labs and goldens).

I have miniature schnauzers and they are adorable. They are non-moulting and they are great for people with allergies who would normally not be able to own a pet. They are fantastic with children, and an ideal size. But they are definitely not couch potatoes, and will keep up easily with all the exercise you can throw at them (or not, they're happy either way).

Also, did you know that the breed responsible for the most bites to people in this country is (no, not the staffie) : the labrador.

Debussy

Hi. we have a 2 yr old male (entire) and a four month !!!!!. The pup will be spayed, but not until a couple of months after first season. More and more people are waiting until their pups are more mature before neutering. Unfortunately, getting the snip too early can keep the dog permanently immature. Also, female incontinence is more likely if the pup is too young. Vets are split 50/50 on this. The risk of mammary tumours is very low anyway, even if you don't spay at all.

We are always been warned about risks to dogs, but I think too many people are pressurised into neutering without knowing all the facts. I have two friends whose dogs died after complications resulting from neutering (one was a pup it was heartbreaking).

My dog will remain entire - he has such a gentle nature and has never spray marked in the home or humped. Our female will be done, purely because we don't want any pups - even though they are both the same breed and kc registered. We just haven't the time to raise pups. Maybe when we are retired!

Bromley86

Mammary tumor risk looks to be quite high to me:

The lifetime risk of intact (not spayed) female dogs to develop mammary tumors has been estimated to be about 25 percent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammary_tumor

Of course, there are increased risks of other problems/cancers. Has anyone found a site that lists the risks for intact and fixed dogs/!!!!!es?

foreign_correspondent

probably best to look at indidvidual dogs rather than breeds - the last two dogs I have had have been small terrier types, both possibly corgi x jack russells (both rescues, so hard to know) - small dogs are often expected to be snappy and yappy - well both of mine have been incredibly chilled out, steady and placid, and great with kids.

However, taking into acount breed characteristics in sensible - working dogs will tend to have a lot of energy, and terriers are tenacious. However, to the person who suggested a westie - whilst I have nothing against them they would not be my forst choice for around kids - people often choose them for kids as they look teddy like, but they do not tend to have a high tolerance level for being played with and annoyed!

I would tend to agree with the people who have suggested a steady adult dog too.

sammy_kaye18

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

who suggested a westie - whilst I have nothing against them they would not be my forst choice for around kids - people often choose them for kids as they look teddy like, but they do not tend to have a high tolerance level for being played with and annoyed!

I thought that too. My friend has 2 Westies named Whiskey and Brandy adn he says they are constantly nipping and yapping. I always wanted one but was put off by how quick they can be to temper (well nto temper but annoy so they nip)