First time owner: Please comment on my schedule

lizziedog1 · 11-03-2009, 07:49 AM

Shell

Quote:

I haven't been crating although I would like to crate train Chester as a safety measure in case we travel or he needs to stay at the vets etc. He was housebroken when I got him though so after I observed he was not destructive, he gets full roam and I *think* is physically more comfortable from being able to stretch and roam during the day (and night although he's a good sleeper).

Blasphemy

Alex927 · 11-03-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizziedog1

Shell

Blasphemy

hello lizziedog1. Care to elaborate a bit? I really have no clue if you're joking..or if you're serious...and if you're serious...to what part of shell's post you're referring to. I could use all the help I can get.

TxRider · 11-03-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex927

great tips. Thanks txRider.

I think it'll be hard for me not to get excited to see myboy when I get home though.

Thanks for the input! Great idea too. I'm definitely going to crate him "on schedule" so to speak. I'll go the morning walk, train, play session...crate Wade and then leave for about an hour (without fanfare) then I'll come back to see how he's doing and we'll hang, get to know each other some more (but I won't lavish attention on him..I've got a book I've been meaning to read anyway so this is perfect). Then at lunch I'll do the same thing....walk, train, play..then crate....if the morning went well I might double the time of the crating.

I'm sitting here wondering if this is one of those things that sound great "on paper" or "in theory" but when it comes to the actual application things go greatly awry. haha.

we'll see soon enough! man I can't wait.

Take all advice with a grain of salt. Every dog is an individual, and you need to observe and adapt as needed for your individual dog.

For example my girl Hope learned not to get in the trash instantly, and has never done it. She started off counter surfing right in front of me, that didn't go away so easy.

Instead I leave nothing in reach, counters clear at all times of anything worth getting or licking, and corrections if I caught her.

She learned quickly that there was nothing up there, so doing it wasn't self reinforcing any more, it only got her in trouble. It's no longer an issue.

My new girl Kaya has been a little saint. No messes, no getting into anything, no problems except fear of too many things.

So much is dependent on the particular dog, the best you can do is observe well, arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible and do the best you can.

Alex927 · 11-03-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxRider

Take all advice with a grain of salt. Every dog is an individual, and you need to observe and adapt as needed for your individual dog.

For example my girl Hope learned not to get in the trash instantly, and has never done it. She started off counter surfing right in front of me, that didn't go away so easy.

Instead I leave nothing in reach, counters clear at all times of anything worth getting or licking, and corrections if I caught her.

She learned quickly that there was nothing up there, so doing it wasn't self reinforcing any more, it only got her in trouble. It's no longer an issue.

My new girl Kaya has been a little saint. No messes, no getting into anything, no problems except fear of too many things.

So much is dependent on the particular dog, the best you can do is observe well, arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible and do the best you can.

yeah totally. I'm doing a ton of research but i realize a lot of the advice i receive is opinion-based. This forum is really supplemental to the things I'm learning through other means and not my only resource.

TxRider · 11-03-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex927

yeah totally. I'm doing a ton of research but i realize a lot of the advice i receive is opinion-based. This forum is really supplemental to the things I'm learning through other means and not my only resource.

I think you'll do fine. You are gathering knowledge, and questioning it all, which IMO is good.

For me I try one way to deal with an issue, if it doesn't work I try another way, or I work around the issue.

Observe and adapt.

Some people are religious about crating, some are religious against it, reasonable people realize the vast majority of dogs will be fine either way, but a few dogs are only livable one way or the other. Depends on the dog, and you, and you expectations of what you want in your dog.

Alex927 · 11-03-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxRider

I think you'll do fine. You are gathering knowledge, and questioning it all, which IMO is good.

For me I try one way to deal with an issue, if it doesn't work I try another way, or I work around the issue.

Observe and adapt.

Some people are religious about crating, some are religious against it, reasonable people realize the vast majority of dogs will be fine either way, but a few dogs are only livable one way or the other. Depends on the dog, and you, and you expectations of what you want in your dog.

thanks again.

I'm really looking forward to putting these things into practice as well as sharing my stories!!

Independent George · 11-03-2009, 03:04 PM

I don't really have anything new to add, but I did want to commend you for all your efforts and research. The fact that you're even asking about all these things says a lot about you, and how seriously you're taking this. You've gotten some great advice, but there's one more really important point that I haven't seen anyone make yet:

Don't forget to enjoy your dog.

I was the same way when I first got my dog; I'd never had one before, and was absolutely terrified of doing something wrong and possibly hurting her. It's a part of my nature to try and researach, analyze, and optimize things to death. I've seen the same thing quite often with new parents. It's really easy to get caught up in the details, and forget the big picture: the objective is not to raise the perfect dog (whatever that means), but to give him a happy life, with a happy, loving home. Training is a big part of that - maybe even the biggest part - but it's not an end in and of itself.

So between the training & exercise sessions, don't forget to stroke his belly for no other reason than it feels good. Give him an extra cookie just because he's a good dog and you love him. Let him roll around in the mud even though you just gave him a bath and vacuumed the rug. Take a nap on the sofa with him curled up in your arms, drooling all over your nice shirt and blowing his hot, stinky dog breath in your face.

Alex927 · 11-03-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Independent George

I don't really have anything new to add, but I did want to commend you for all your efforts and research. The fact that you're even asking about all these things says a lot about you, and how seriously you're taking this. You've gotten some great advice, but there's one more really important point that I haven't seen anyone make yet:

Don't forget to enjoy your dog.

I was the same way when I first got my dog; I'd never had one before, and was absolutely terrified of doing something wrong and possibly hurting her. It's a part of my nature to try and researach, analyze, and optimize things to death. I've seen the same thing quite often with new parents. It's really easy to get caught up in the details, and forget the big picture: the objective is not to raise the perfect dog (whatever that means), but to give him a happy life, with a happy, loving home. Training is a big part of that - maybe even the biggest part - but it's not an end in and of itself.

So between the training & exercise sessions, don't forget to stroke his belly for no other reason than it feels good. Give him an extra cookie just because he's a good dog and you love him. Let him roll around in the mud even though you just gave him a bath and vacuumed the rug. Take a nap on the sofa with him curled up in your arms, drooling all over your nice shirt and blowing his hot, stinky dog breath in your face.

thank you for the reassurance. I definitely appreciate it.

With respect to everything else you've stated in terms of enjoying the dog and providing tons of love, affection andcompanionship...well shoot, in that area I'm already an expert and need no advice! haha.

I can always find a dogs' "spot", I know just how much dogs love to be touched, scratched, stroked, cuddled with and lovingly looked after and truthfully, it fulfills my own needs of canine companionship as well.

But I totally hear you and wholeheartedly agree and this is one bit of advice that need not be taken with a grain of salt!

Don't get me wrong, my wife is awesome and caring in every way but I have this innate desire for a dogs love and companionship as well and I want my dog not to be perfect, but really really happy with his life. And for that to happen I've come to realize that training and routine absolutely must play a role.

I say I'm a first time owner but technically I'm not. (I guess I'm more of a "born again first time owner"?) When I was younger I had a beagle and loved it and cared for it..but improperly. It lacked training, discipline and it became the king of our home. It pooped and peed everywhere and it ran away from us and pulled on its leash and it got away with murder! When she demanded attention I succumbed. When she begged for scraps I gave in. When she peed in the house I scolded her..the list of things I did wrong goes on and on. Penny was sooooo hard to handle that my dad gave her away without telling me and I found out when I got home from school one. And it was ALL my fault! I lacked the knowledge and discipline to raise her properly and because of that....I lost her. And the truth is, she would've been happier with some proper training and a better owner in myself.

So this time, I'm doing it right.

GottaLuvMutts · 11-03-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex927

And the truth is, she would've been happier with some proper training and a better owner in myself.

So this time, I'm doing it right.

You should also know that there will be moments, even now that you know the "right way", when you will still question yourself or even feel like a failure. I think this happens to all dog owners (and all parents, too, for that matter) at some point.

Every once in a while, something will happen that makes me realize that my dog will never achieve her full potential with me as an owner. Like when a guy offered to take her pheasant hunting (I said no). Or when she demonstrated a knack for search and rescue (but formal training isn't offered in my area). Or when we went to watch an agility trial and a few handlers told me what a great agility dog I could have (we start soon, but they have years of experience from previous dogs). I mean, I can't even get her to stop jumping on people! But at the end of the day, I need to remind myself that what matters is that my dog is happy. No, scratch that - extraordinarily, unapologetically, jumping-for-joy HAPPY.

I'll second what Independent George said about doing your research - you're setting your dog up for success and it's a really good sign that you're thinking through the details of this responsibility before bringing the dog home.

Good luck and enjoy!