Getting a dog

FRUGAL_4

Becles wrote: »

If you do get a puppy, I would recommend getting a crate to keep him/her in when you are out and at night. It's like a big cage which needs to have enough room for the puppy to move around in.

It sounds cruel, but it stops the puppy messing all over your home until they are house trained, and prevents them chewing anything hazardous like electric cables. Bob (in avatar) was in a crate until he was just over a year. Then I started trusting him on short trips, and once I knew he could behave, I got rid of the crate altogether.

I have recently got a puppy for the first time, and I can't recommend the crates enough, I have a Cavalier King Charles, got him at 6 weeks and introduced the crate gradually to him at the age of 12 weeks, I moved the crate at 6 months as i thought I could trust him whilst I walked the children to school(cannot take the dog as no dogs are allowed near the school gates, and as it is on a main road, I don't like leaving my children down the road from the school) he chewed the skirting board and tumble dryer door some days later, he is still chewing so I have introduced the crate again and will consider removing it when he is one. (at the moment he is 10 months).

You need to make it as easy as possible for yourself and the puppy, be prepared for the mess, our dog had diarroherra (sp?) for a week when he was 9 weeks old, cost me a small fortune in vet bills, needed antibotics, and the house stunk for days.

Another thing I would suggest is a baby gate to section off rooms of the house, my dog at this moment is not allowed in the lounge without supervision, he will be once he has grown out of the bouncing around stage.

Laminate flooring is also great for any accidents, in my case that didn't last long but be prepared with stocks of kitchen rolls.

Think long and hard about it before you make the decision, I enjoy my dog and enjoy his company, and my children adore him but its not all chocolate and roses especially with a young puppy.

I have just noticed your update, I took so long typing my message and answering the phone, I hope your dog brings you happiness and well done on getting a rescue dog, what breed is he (GSD?)



FRUGAL

Justie

getcarter wrote: »

Well, I've done it, got a rescue dog, about a year old, he's GSD cross and he's lovely, the only thing we have problems with is he keeps trying to chew the kids!

Carter

Congrats on the new addition

just mouthing or something more serious? If it's just puppy mouthing then get them to emit a high putched yelp whenever he gets teeth on them (even before he nips) and he'll learn what not to do - in the pack puppies will play bite/mouth and if another puppy yelps then they know it was too hard...

Are you going to take him to training classes? We found them great and it meant we could ask about specific issues too. Although with a rescue sometimes it's best to not introduce too many new things until they're settled (can take 6 months or more) so work out when your dog's ready.

getcarter

I have started training classes, mainly because he pulls like train! he's fairly settled, nothing can stop him wagging his tail!

(i'm also learning to keep things well back on the kitchen sides, butter makes dogs get runny poos..........:eek:

Thanks everyone for your replies by the way:cool:

carter

Ps hes a german shepherd cross, quite lightly built.

SeptemberBaby_2

Ah, congrats Carter! What have you called him?! Its fantastic that you rescued a needy dog.

I hope you have as a rewarding time with him as I do with my Henry & good luck!


x

Ellie2758

Aww, lovely. Hope it all works out well for all of you.

getcarter

George - he already came with the name but i just loved it!