What Is Your Best Piece Of Advice?

[Parkeyre]

What's your best piece of advice you can offer that regards to dogs, puppies, first time owners, people who are looking at purchasing, dog diets and excerice, desexing, papers, breeders, people who would buy more then one pup at a time etc? Anyone thing i listed, as many as ou like, or something totally different.

There are so many dog lovers here on DOL.

What's your advice.

Edited May 20, 2009 by Bonnie Parker

[Greytmate]

Consider a greyhound.

[Parkeyre]

I always say research what you are doing first. Don't ever do anything on impulse.

[Longclaw]

Consider a greyhound.

Beat me to it

I'm sure a lot of people will mention reputable registered breeders so instead, my best piece of advice would be to treat the dog like a dog, even when it pains you to do so. For example, it goes against every instinct to ignore a dog that is scared of thunder, but comforting it will only reinforce that there is something to be afraid of, and the behaviour will likely escalate over time. As much as we love them dearly, our dogs are animals and they do not see the world the same way we do. I don't care if you call them your 'fur-kids', but treating them like little furry people is terribly unfair to them.

[OSoSwift]

Um thats lots of things to cover in one post, but I will give it a go

Research the breeds/breed you like, you can never have too much information. Know what your dog was originaly bred for and therefore any specific requirements the dog may need in regards to training/exercise.

Learn any breed specific problems that your chosen breed needs to be tested for and make sure any futures puppy come from tested parents. I recommend the diet I feed - of course- but also tell them to ask their breeder, make sure they continue the puppy on that diet for at least a few months before any changes are made.

Desexing- generally recommend that their puppies are desexed prior to their first heat - males by 12 months- so no mistakes can happen with novice owners, a more experienced person who can easily and happily contain and entire in season bitch- desex after the first season.

Breeders - develop a relationship with your breeder well before you would like your puppy, that way you are more likely to figure out if they may not be the breeder for you, and if you have a good relationship you are more likely to get the best puppy for your situation.

Papers - recommend to buy pedgree rego'd dogs and explain that unless they want to show/breed (closest show is 450kms from here!) then Limited papers are all that is required, you know your dogs lines and parents and that they are purebred.

More than one puppy - Generally advise not to, specifically litter siblings. Usually advise to get one puppy, then when it is around 12 to 18 months old get another puppy, if they still feel they want another. I feel that most people (Not dog savvy people) would find that having two young puppies at once a little full one.

I think mostly though I recommend research research research, about anything from diet to breed to breeders. I myself usually start at least 12 months before wanting a dog. I am sure lots of people will have much better suggestions than me, but that is what my fatigued brain can come up with at the moment And I must go and feed the calf!

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

NEVER buy a dog from a petshop or a backyard breeder.

My advice is that you get out what you put in. If you want to get a puppy, particularly a large or active breed, you must be prepared to train the dog properly and that doesn't mean going to puppy classes for a few weeks. It's a big commitment.

Don't buy a dog because you like how it looks! That's how most people get a dog and I can understand why but you need to really understand dog's coats (a big area of unhappiness following adoption), dog's temperaments and exercise levels.

It's really important to know if you are worried about shedding - most people don't realise that a short coated dog can shed a phenomenal amount of hair. However, many people don't want the work, maintenance and cost that goes with a non-shedding breed.

Do you want a lap-sitter or an independent type? Much to consider and if there is a family involved, possibly different likes/wants to contend with.

Someone I work with spent months doing research on various breeds. She also looked at rescuing a dog (I work for a rescue group) but was so worried about her requirements/lifestyle being compromised that she decided to go with the greater certainty of a breed. She is very much over the moon with the breed chosen and is going to training classes etc.

This was a very sensible approach that I can't fault. It should ensure that the dog gets to stay with the family for the whole of its life which in Australia is rare - average length of ownership is around 2 years according to research and this is borne out by many conversations I have with people in my line of work.

I have also heard that it isn't so good to have 2 puppies together, I'd agree with that for practical reasons. Nice for them to have company but hard to train 2 puppies at once esp if you are not experienced. Double trouble.

[Kissindra]

When deciding whether or not to get a dog, always keep in mind possible lifestyle changes in the future and what impact they might have. You can't forsee everything but a little bit of forethought could really impact breed choice.

[Bindii]

Breeders - develop a relationship with your breeder well before you would like your puppy, that way you are more likely to figure out if they may not be the breeder for you, and if you have a good relationship you are more likely to get the best puppy for your situation.

Papers - recommend to buy pedgree rego'd dogs and explain that unless they want to show/breed (closest show is 450kms from here!) then Limited papers are all that is required, you know your dogs lines and parents and that they are purebred.

They're my two as well. Some people think it's snobby, so then i'd go into the whole genetic testing thing... plus explain a little about puppy farms/BYB.

I think it's so important to have a good relationship with your breeder, and to have similar views (or be able to trust their knowledge/opinions/advice). I know i've said it before, but that was the number one thing i learnt after i got Hugo, so it's now my number one rule.

I love Fletcher's breeder

Edited May 20, 2009 by Bindii

[White_Shadow]

Don't just go by what a dog look like, thoroughly check up each breed's temperament & chose the one the will suit your needs.

If you are not a breeder & don't want to desex your 'soon to be' dog(s), than please be responsible & confine your bitch on each of her season the entire time, DO NOT bring them to public places, if you cannot do that then DESEX. Don't just believe that your bitch will be safe as long as she is in the fence backyard, because if a dog wants to get to her, they will dig their way in, jump the fences, they will do anything possible - Be responsible!

If you choose a to have an outside dog, please meet their daily needs, its more work than having an inside dog, if you don't meet their need, boredom / loneliness will set in & you are in for troubles - destructiveness, excessive barking...you name it.

If you commit yourself to adopt / buy a dog, you need to ensure that your home will be their only home (unless something very unexpected happens) please do not rehome them, keep them love them, train them, enjoy them!

[Greytmate]

It is really personally satisfying when the advice I am being asked for gives a dog the opportunity to stay in its home and enjoy life there, rather than be surrendered.

So in those cases, the best advice I give is often NILIF.

[Ms James]

Absolutely only get a dog that suits your lifestyle. Don't just buy a breed because you like the look of them. The number of dogs in pounds across Australia is testament to nitwits who purchase dogs based on looks alone.

[Zhou Xuanyao]

Dont subscribe to all these lessons about dog training and apply them blindly. Consider advice in a broad sense and apply with caution and common sense taking your dogs characteristics into account.

Be cautious about taking your dog to puppy school, and ensure the instructor is an accredited trainer as most are not.

"Socialising" your dog does not mean throwing it in the deep end and letting it fend for itself.

[mersonmalinois]

If you don't have time for a dog, don't get a dog.

[Alyosha]

Consider a greyhound.

What Greytmate said.

Also - seriously consider your breed characteristics. Don't buy for looks. Get what suits your lifestyle and needs. I would recommend that first time owners be cautious of heavily coated breeds, and very active, needing lots of stimulating breeds like working dogs. Not being critical of these breeds at all, it's just that novices often bite off more than they can chew, and really active and bright dogs and not so active or switched on owners don't really mix.

[juice]

i always tell people to write a list, what they must have, and things they are negiotable on.

ie, inside or outside, how often will it get walked, and tell them not to lie, be honest.

then stick to it.

if people chose breeds more wisely, sure it would make a difference, there are lots of breeds i like ,but can't own, as they don't suit my lifestyle.

[poodlefan]

Do your homework.. on breeds, health issues, breeders and puppy raising. Get out and meet owners of the breed/s you're interested in and kick a lot of tyres. There's a wealth of information around about dogs and dog training if you look and ask. There are a lot of myths about some breeds that need to be exploded.

Be honest with yourself about what you will offer a dog. No point in nodding that you're OK with giving a working dog lots of stimulation and exercise when you're a committed couch potato and ain't likely to change. Similarly don't buy a high maintainence breed for grooming if wash and wear is more your style.

Think about what kind of companionship you want from a dog and select breeds or adult dogs with characteristics that will suit you. Some dogs are very cuddly and people focussed, others not so. Buying a dog that doesn't suit your personality may bring a lot of heartache, no matter how attractive you think it is.

Dogs are a long term commitment - think good and hard about potential limitations on your lifestyle that a dog will bring, possibly for around 20 years.

Only buy from a knowledgeable, ethical source.. be it breeder or rescue. The less you know about dogs, the more knowledgeable that source needs to be to match you to the right dog.

Edited May 20, 2009 by poodlefan

[rastus_froggy]

What everyone else has said plus buy a crate, do some crate training and use it wisely.

[Sandra777]

Don't buy a Border Collie just because "they're so smart"

Have lost count of the number of Borders I've met which I would have to say are raving mad because of the way they've been raised & not trained.

Don't buy a Labrador just because "they're such good family dogs". Also can't count the number of Labradors I've met with no manners - belonging to families with kids with no manners either.

Dogs don't train themselves

[becandcharch]

On top of what has been said - GET PET INSURANCE

[SkySoaringMagpie]

Dogs live in a human world, humans don't live in a dog world. It's up to you to teach your dog how to live happily and confidently in your human world. He does not automatically know how to do this. Don't punish a dog for behaving like a dog, teach him what you want instead.

An expert may still have the wrong advice for you and your dog. Listen politely, but never allow anyone to do anything with your dog that you are uncomfortable with just because they are the expert. Your dog relies on you to speak up for it because it cannot.

Be the kind of leader you would want to follow. Dogs get tired, confused, hungry, sick and bored just like you do. They have good days and bad days. Be firm, but be fair and humane. You are the one with the bigger brain, so it is up to you to problem solve if things aren't working the way you want them too. Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. When you are frustrated, stop and think before reacting.