New chocolate lab puppy could use advice!

Doggydigger7 · 06-19-2008, 10:57 AM

(If you read my post on the new members introduction thread you would already know this)
I have recently aquired a new 11 week old puppy. He is fun,energetic and I don't mean to brag the smartest dog I have ever stood next to. He will be an outside dog and he will be kept in a 12 by 10 kennel. He has all his shots accept rabies. On july 1st we are going to take him to the vet to get his rabies shot and for his first basic check-up with his new vet. also I have a few questions: 1. What is the appropriate age to get a male dog fixed? 2. Not that this has anything to do with my situation but what is qaurantine?
also I could use some basic advice so please,PLEASE!!post here

Shaina · 06-19-2008, 11:22 AM

(1) It is generally advised to not get your male fixed prior to 6 months. Many vets, mine included, won't even fix a dog younger than that.

(2) Quarantine refers to keeping a dog isolated until he or she is shown to be free of disease. It's often used when transporting animals across certain borders, eg. importing a dog from another country (depending on circumstances). It's also used to keep known sick dogs from infecting other dogs until after their treatment is complete.

(3) I know this is outside of the scope of your post, but please consider allowing your dog to live inside with you. A fun, smart, people-oriented dog like yours needs to be with his favorite thing in the world -- you -- and you will both benefit a great deal from living side by side. He is far more likely to grow up a well-adjusted and wonderful pet if you are right there to guide him every step of the way.

alphadoginthehouse · 06-19-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaina

(3) I know this is outside of the scope of your post, but please consider allowing your dog to live inside with you. A fun, smart, people-oriented dog like yours needs to be with his favorite thing in the world -- you -- and you will both benefit a great deal from living side by side. He is far more likely to grow up a well-adjusted and wonderful pet if you are right there to guide him every step of the way.

I agree with Shaina...why have a dog that is going to be an outside dog? I have never quite understood that concept. How much time will you spend with him? Will he be "left" out there for hours and hours and hours? Labs need no CRAVE attention and like Shaina said he will be more likely grow up to be well-adjusted if he spends more time with you. Please consider having him be indoor/outdoor.

Doggydigger7 · 06-19-2008, 01:43 PM

Shaina,
Thanks for the advice and the answering of my questions.Also thanks for the great detail in explaining the answers. Can you private message me so we talk more about other stuff?I'm obviosly new to this site so I know nothing about private messaging. If you can please do!!
Alphadoginthehouse,
Thanks for the advice and both of you believe me I would absolutley love to have Jake (my dog) in the house but I am allergic to inside dogs,my mom is a clean freak and I am too also that is the generation after generation of my families dog have been born and raised.
Thanks again,
Doggydigger7

KaseyT · 06-19-2008, 02:09 PM

Please take some Zyrtec and bring you dog inside where he belongs. Leaving a dog outside alone all night is cruel. In the long nights of winter when you are all inside warm and cozy you dog will be spending every second of his existence wishing he was with you.

Many people have treated dogs cruelly for generations believing they were not. Don't be one of them. Your dog is a member of your family. Please treat him as such.

Xeph · 06-19-2008, 03:47 PM

The Zyrtec comment made me laugh xD

That being said, I do agree to a point. I don't see the point of having "outdoor only" dogs. Indoor outdoor makes more sense to me...I prefer completely indoors, but when I get to having my kennel set up, I know that won't be wholly possible.

There ARE Shampoos out there that help to keep down dog dander, as well as regular grooming, and pet sprays that reduce allergens.

I know very very few well adjusted "outside only" dogs...especially Labradors.

InverseLogic · 06-19-2008, 03:59 PM

Indoor AND outdoor is easily the best solution for a happy dog. Most dogs will want to go outside to sunbathe or chase small animals, and they'll also want to be inside with their families. It's cruel to leave a dog outside all day. My neighbor does just that, although the poor dog is in much worse conditions than what you'll have your dog housed in.

Xeph · 06-19-2008, 04:05 PM

See, when I say indoors I mean the dog sleeps in the house, and indoor/outdoor to me means the dogs are in a kennel run during the day and in the house at night.

My dogs certainly get to go out and romp and sunbathe, but not without supervision.

InverseLogic · 06-19-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeph

See, when I say indoors I mean the dog sleeps in the house, and indoor/outdoor to me means the dogs are in a kennel run during the day and in the house at night.

My dogs certainly get to go out and romp and sunbathe, but not without supervision.

My comment wasn't meant to be insulting, and it CERTAINLY wasn't aimed at you. I think you and I are on the same page anyway. The point is, dogs need to have access to both indoor and outdoor environments, but most importantly, they need to spend as much time with the family as they want to.

Xeph · 06-19-2008, 05:11 PM

I KNEW I should have put in an epitaph after I responded to your post LOL!!!!

I know you weren't being insulting Inverse :-) We are definitely on the same page in this regard ^_^ We're on the same page on a lot of things.

alphadoginthehouse · 06-19-2008, 05:58 PM

When I originally indicated indoor/outdoor, I meant just that. My dogs would be outside when I was at work (with the whole garage to themselves...car NEVER went in) and inside when I was at home, except when they wanted out to play or cause trouble or just sit and gaze out the gate. I have a fairly large (fenced) back yard. I now have a doggie door and they are truly indoor/outdoor dogs. The go in and out and in and out..

If you have allergies, why get a dog? Does not make sense to me...at all.

That's like my brother, who is allergic to cats, getting a cat, only to keep it outside.

rosemaryninja · 06-19-2008, 07:55 PM

Doggydigger7, I hope it doesn't seem as if we are jumping on your back about this outside-dog thing. We really just want you and your dog to have the best possible kind of bond, and it's very difficult to achieve a close relationship with your dog when he spends 100% of his time outside. Plus, it is really not safe for your pup to be spending cold nights out by himself.

I'm also allergic to my dogs, so I thought I'd give you a suggestion. What my family does is, the dogs are restricted to the lower level of the house only. They can spend as much time in the kitchen, dining and living rooms as they want, but they aren't allowed in the bedrooms. I also brush my dogs every day so the shedding is kept to a minimum. That way, I can enjoy having my dogs indoors, but my allergies don't suffer because I don't sleep with my dogs. I just wash my hands thoroughly after playing with them and I'm pretty much fine.

So, how about letting your pup into the house, but only allowing him to stay within a restricted (but fairly central) area of the house?

alphadoginthehouse · 06-19-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosemaryninja

Doggydigger7, I hope it doesn't seem as if we are jumping on your back about this outside-dog thing. We really just want you and your dog to have the best possible kind of bond, and it's very difficult to achieve a close relationship with your dog when he spends 100% of his time outside. Plus, it is really not safe for your pup to be spending cold nights out by himself.

Thanks for your comment. I didn't mean to come off sounding really ugly about it...I just hate to see a dog that spends all its' time outside. You made a very valid clarification.