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Post by Honeysmom on Nov 18, 2003 11:57:33 GMT -5
We got a new puppy last weekend. Boy is he a lot of work. He is really cute, but I think it was easier to housebreak the kids!  He is a boxer collie mix, but he looks like a lab. He is just great and the kids are actually nice to him. I think he is part of the motivation I needed to keep the floors clean...he appears to be a chewer.  |
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Post by lovemyson on Nov 18, 2003 12:21:01 GMT -5
I hope you enjoy your puppy, They can be so much fun even though they are a lot of work! We have 3 dogs, a cat and a large bird, and numerous fish...I am an animal lover and work as a Veterinary Technician and am always showing up at home with strays! My son ADHD loves it......He doesn't get bored! Best of luck with your pup!
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Post by LitlBaa on Nov 18, 2003 21:39:50 GMT -5
We have a Jack Russell Terrier, ADHD dog but the cutest and smartest thing you ever did see, his name is Buddy and he's almost 4. Several days ago, my hubby (also known as Nature Boy because he catches stray things and brings them home, like snakes, woodpeckers, and kittens from the gas station...caught another Jack Russell that was running loose in the neighborhood and named it Buster. DD loves the stray because Buddy is definitely a mama's dog and this one is a Katie dog so far.
So now the inventory includes two Jack Russells, six cats, a snake, ADD hubby, ADHD daughter, and me in an 800 square foot house with only two closets.
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Post by eaccae on Nov 18, 2003 22:39:19 GMT -5
Oohhhhhhhh I am so jealous!!! I grew up with dogs! 4 of my sisters have dogs (the other a cat) - the kids want a dog . . . but mother-in-law doesn't think it is a good idea so DH (although wants a dog) is too afraid to get a dog! Someday I am just going to talk to the breeder, arrange a puppy! (We've been married for almost 12 years and his is STILL afraid of his mother  ) Have fun with the little guy!!!! Give him kisses for me! |
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Post by Honeysmom on Nov 19, 2003 10:38:56 GMT -5
We had actually agreed last week not to get a dog. Last weekend my MIL (who actually called and asked if she may come for a visit!) saw a sign for free puppies on the road. She is big into dogs and will take as many as they let her. Usually people are just happy to get rid of them. They she takes them back to the city and people will pay big money for almost any dog. It amazes me, but back to the point.
She picked them up on the way here and told me, not in front of the kids, (she really amazed me all weekend, I think aliens posessed her body or something) that we could have one if we wanted it. Once DH saw them he fell in love with Max and we threw the whole decision of last week out the window. He really is a great dog so I am glad.
LitlBaa, I feel sort of like you, but not as many pets. 1 DH, Honey ADHD, 2 yo just sassy, Me ADD, and a dog all in a house about the same size as yours. Oh well, it could be worse.
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Post by eaccae on Nov 19, 2003 12:23:05 GMT -5
DS(8) so desparately wants snakes too. But we travel on the weekends alot so I told him that it just wasn't possible - although Santa ALMOST got him two chinese green snakes for Christmas. But DH almost died so that was thrown out the window. We have our fish and our hermit crab. And we have special Ridex roden deterrents in the outlets - so we can't have rodents! If it were up to DS we would have the fish, the hermit crab, hamsters, snakes, a tarantula and a dog! I'll keep working on the dog!
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Post by lovemyson on Nov 19, 2003 12:30:03 GMT -5
Try for a bird! We also have a Goffin coockatoo (ADHD), He's about 12 inches, and just as sassy as the kids! He even talks back! Lots of fun.....
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Post by sierra on Nov 24, 2003 14:45:18 GMT -5
Hope that puppy is bringing you a lot of fun along with the exasperation. If he's a chewer be real careful about electrical cords. Make sure he has lots of rawhide and squeaky toys that are more tasty and interesting than furniture and things. Don't give him old shoes to play with. He won't know the difference between old shoes and new ones. Lots of exercise will help keep him out of trouble. Border collie mixes can be really high energy. Maybe he is already chasing balls and frisbees. This can make for some good exercise that your kids can help with. Couple of ideas. Make sure that pup meets lots and lots of people right now. He'll be less likely to play favorites or be unsociable with some people if he's introduced to lots of nice people when he's young. Also as soon as he's had all his shots get him into a puppy socialization class. This will help with dog socialization and people socialization. Doggie play groups can help with socialization too. I think I'm going to be a dog trainer in my next life.  |
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Post by jdmom on Nov 24, 2003 17:43:58 GMT -5
Hee hee, we were just talking about pets on another thread...isn't it amazing the impact that a pet makes on your life?
Sierra has a wonderful point about the interaction with strangers. Take your puppy to the park whenever you can. That way it can get used to other people outside the family unit. And it will understand the importance of interaction with children. It will also get it used to riding in the car, nothing is worse than a carsick pet! Yuck!
Good luck with housetraining! I don't envy you there!
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Post by Honeysmom on Nov 24, 2003 18:45:57 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the advice. The puppy, Max, and I are not on good terms right now. It seems he has some type of attraction to expensive bras.  He is very high energy, but generally he is good. He listens well to things like sit and stop. I also learned not to give him old socks to play with. He keeps stealing those too.... Oh well, we are both still learning! |
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Post by sierra on Nov 24, 2003 19:25:32 GMT -5
Better keep that lingerie out of harms way. Maybe up on the chandelier out of reach. You can tell your friends it's the latest decor craze from California. I'll back you up Have people come over to your house to meet the puppy too. Otherwise when he's older he might decide he's supposed to protect your house when people ring the doorbell or knock. Nothing like a big dog running to the door barking and growling to make friends and neighbors feel welcome.  |
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Post by Honeysmom on Nov 25, 2003 12:53:23 GMT -5
I was wondering about that. He is already a very protective dog. He will growl at people he does not know when they come to the door. I DO NOT want him to be mean so I have been telling him to stop and asking people to pet him and let him check them out. Is that a good idea or should I do it a differnt way? My biggest fear is that he is going to get overprotective and hurt someone. You know, with big dogs come the big choppers!
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Post by sierra on Nov 25, 2003 13:53:55 GMT -5
Overprotective dogs. This is tough. You don't want them inviting total strangers into the house and showing them where the fridge is. But you don't want them snarling at friends and friendly strangers either.
Sometimes they act that way because they think the're high enough in the pack order that they're supposed to decide who can come visit. So make sure the dog realizes he's at the very bottom of the family pack. Never let him jump up on you. Frequently put your hand on his neck and shoulder which is a canine dominance sign. He may wiggle around when you put your hand or arm over his shoulder. Don't let him get away. Be firm but gentle. Start this as a puppy and do it a lot! Have your whole family put him in his place this way frequently.
When a person approaches you and the dog outdoors get real excited. Have a high pitched happy voice and do the human equivalent of happy tail wagging. The dog picks up on your attitude about having people approach. Do the same thing when the doorbell rings. Act happy!
It's really important to have some command that means go to your place and stay there. Go lie down. Go to the kitchen. Go to your bed. Usually you only need one word spoken forcefully. Kitchen or Bed or whatever you call the dog's quiet place. If the dog doesn't get excited about a visitor send him to his quiet place.
You can't start this kind of training early enough.
With a young puppy I think it's important to work the happy angle first. You may not need to do more than that if you have plenty of visitors of all sizes and ages.
Oh yeah. Something else. Change your looks frequently. Dogs recognize us by our basic shape and smell. Wear odd shaped hats and wrap around sunglasses and bulky jackets and other things that really change your shape. If a strange looking you walks through the door it will definitely get your dog's attention. Then he'll be apologetic when he realizes he just cussed out Mom. A few experiences like that will make him less likely to assume strange shapes mean strange people.
If his protectiveness becomes a real problem then get a trainer in to help you.
Oddly enough male dogs aren't usually as protective of the house as female dogs when they get older. I work with my girl all the time because I know she'll have a tendency to become less tolerant of strangers as she gets older.
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Post by jdmom on Nov 25, 2003 14:57:27 GMT -5
Sierrra, I've noticed that about females, also. I think it's the "maternal" instincts coming out. My mom has always said that if you want a protective dog, buy a female pup and let her have one litter before you spay her (if you choose to do so). The funny thing is, I think the males are all show, baring teeth, growling, barking. But it's the silent and deadly females that you have to watch out for. They are the ones who usually stand back and observe, but are much quicker, and more likely, to take action. Just like humans! lol
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Post by Honeysmom on Nov 25, 2003 16:38:13 GMT -5
You guys are probably both right. I will have to start being more forceful in some situations. It is really funny, I have noticed myself using that stupid "happy human" voice and saying Let's go see who's here, or How are you? Like he is really going to anwser me back. I think he know I am talking to him, actually I know he does. Overall he is a good boy, just needs a little training here and there.
At least he is tolorant with the kids. That was my big fear, since they are only 2 and 4 years old, I was worried that they would mistreat him. It seems like it has done them good to learn how to be nice to the dog. Now if I can only get them to be nice to each other.....
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