Submitted by PurgatoryRider85 t3_125ikj6 in newjersey
Comments
F5x9 t1_je4j23u wrote
Don’t eat the yellow snow.
PurgatoryRider85 OP t1_je4j6m2 wrote
Love this advice, thank you! Don’t worry, your hug will be multiplied 1000x
whodisacct t1_je4j90i wrote
Get pet insurance. Or put $100/mo aside just in case in 10 years the dog ends up eating some gravel. Two years after eating a safety pin.
baboo512 t1_je4kcyl wrote
rtk117117 t1_je4kmcv wrote
Be patient. Dogs are a lot of work but well worth it.
wildflowerhiking t1_je4ktwm wrote
My dogs have a harness + collar. Our rescue gave us this extra leash attachment that clips onto both since our girlie was a flight risk, I recommend it.
PracticableSolution t1_je4l7yj wrote
St. Hubert’s has an amazing puppy training class. Take it or one like it.
Johncamp28 t1_je4oi71 wrote
Mine ate a brick
zmk19 t1_je4pyl8 wrote
I second this, specifically the $100/month aside just in case. My pup’s health insurance was so limited in coverage, they raised the rates as they classified her as a “senior” at 6 years old🙄 it just wasn’t worth it. I’d rather have the monthly 100$ in my possession and ready to go, god forbid!
BonjourLeGeorge t1_je4rm64 wrote
I’ve never heard someone say don’t get a harness. Why you say that?
BonjourLeGeorge t1_je4s09p wrote
If you’re getting a strong, aggressive breed, do your research on the dogs background, especially if you have kids. Dogs like pitbulls are better get to get as puppy’s so you can train them better.
theflyingscroll t1_je4sngd wrote
Get pet insurance. Get a good harness. Costco pet food and treat prices (especially Greenies) are really amazing. Get some puzzle toys to avoid boredom. Find a nice dog park to socialize the pupper. Have fun!
nj_beachlover t1_je4t29d wrote
Invest in a FI collar, costs $100/yr. It’s a GPS tracking collar, our rescue was a flight risk and pulled a Houdini and escaped our fenced in back yard a couple times. Found in in line 10 minutes
peter-doubt t1_je4t7g7 wrote
This.. the first few months should be devoted to properly managing and training your dog...
My cousin adopted one, he wasn't available to devote time ... Dog adopted many uncle. This happens a lot!
horatio_corn_blower t1_je4tf7m wrote
As OP said, It’s easier for a dog to wriggle out of and compels the dog to pull when walking. Something like a martingale collar is generally recommended, which tightens as the dog pulls (but only to a certain degree so it doesn’t injure them) and can’t just be backed out of like a harness can.
peter-doubt t1_je4tf8n wrote
I'd say this depends on breed and the dog's attitude
ansky201 t1_je4trvh wrote
Totally agree. I know several people who have dogs that recently needed surgery and their out of pocket expenses were over 5K.
ShadowDolly t1_je4w2al wrote
It is natural to want to show off your new dog to all your friends and family members right away, but it's best to give your dog a few weeks to settle in to their home routine before doing so. I volunteer with a rescue and so many times, people adopt dogs and immediately take them to their family members' house or a party or some place similar and completely overwhelm a dog who is already overwhelmed just by the nature of their circumstances.
silentsnip94 t1_je4xcgz wrote
Always harness over leash. A good harness they will not be able to wiggle out of as it goes behind the legs. If anything, a collar would slip off much easier. Especially in the future if you want to take the dog in the car, you'll need a harness and a safety tether that goes from the seat to the harness hookup point. A collar will break their neck if you get into an accident.
Dog parks are fine, and it's good for dog socialization. Just remove them if others get too rowdy.
FeverFocus t1_je50nmc wrote
Understand that it could be hard at first. Dogs aren't great at adjusting to sudden change. Have lots of patience with them while they adjust and adapt to their new surroundings and routine with you.
You might see some bad behaviors or the dog doing things you don't want it to do at first. This is normal while they deal with the stress and anxiety of the situation.
Go slowly with them, introduce new things gradually. The first time you bring them home give them time to explore outside, get used to some of the scents. A walk outside will also help reduce nervous energy.
When you get inside keep them on the leash at first and guide them through your home room by room. Let them smell everything.
Know that they are going to have accidents, accept that they will find ways into things you didn't expect. Try not to get mad at them, don't yell. Instead when they do something you don't like try reflecting their attention to stop the behavior.
It can take a few weeks for the dog to get comfortable and settle in and for their true personality to come out.
Bellabird42 t1_je51qv9 wrote
Rule of 3: 3 days for dog to decompress, 3 weeks for dog to learn your routine, 3 months for dog to feel at home and comfortable.
Martingale collars are excellent, especially if the dog is prone to wiggling out of a harness.
Give your dog a space (ie: crate/pen, etc) of its own where it can retreat and feel safe.
Consistency goes a long way. Good luck and give your doggo lots kisses and pets
katsock t1_je52yzz wrote
Your dog will not understand you. They do not speak English. You can teach them words but to them they will be sounds. They will never understand what a word means, just what happened after the word was said and the outcome of what happened. Try to get into this mindset from the start, and be consistent with your cues (what we might normally call commands) across your entire family.
Some dogs will respond to physical cues better than verbal cues. Try to get in the mindset that you aren’t giving the dog a command, you’re giving them a cue. Do the all the steps of X when I say Y.
Martingale collars are great and can be used in conjunction with a harness. A harness is fine with training. It is true that dogs find the tugging rewarding but a well trained dog will behave regardless of what they are or are not wearing.
Look up LIMA training. Look up the Two week Shutdown
Look up the Three DS of training YouTube is an invaluable resource, but pick your content creators wisely, I would recommend a Lima trainer. I like Kikopup because the content is easily digestible.
If you THINK your dog is ready for X, consider that it is not and you need to revisit whatever you are working on. When you KNOW they are ready, consider it again.
Crate train, but the crate is never a punishment.
You will soon have a new best friend and an incredibly rewarding relationship. It will most likely be hard at first but it will be worth it.
Algae-Ok t1_je542po wrote
I recently got a puppy and a lot of advice is so dependent on the breed of dog. If it’s a working dog make sure you find ways to engage him more. Keep taking puppy clases and don’t stop until he is a year old. Not only does it help with socializing it just makes the dog better at listening to YOU. I know there are online apps but your dog needs to learn in all different environments.
jimcnj t1_je59qr0 wrote
Dogs needs exercise every day. One person doing the training works best. Be patient!
MissRose617 t1_je5cimq wrote
To ass to your safe place. Safe places are never to be used as a punish zone.
bros402 t1_je5germ wrote
Get pet insurance, we didn't and our dog has needed hip dysplasia surgery and ended up getting an auotimmune disorder that cost us $6000 for three days in the animal hospital.
Oh, and pick a good rescue. We used Castle of Dreams in central jersey - they rescue animals from kill shelters in the south. If you're looking for a specific kind of dog, you can tell them and they can call you when they see one.
We also used a dog trainer who came to our house, I think it was The Social Dog? She was affordable and very helpful.
oh, and get a good harness - we use a freedom harness and our dog LOVES it, when we grab the harness he knows he is either going for a walk or going to the vet (and he loves the vet because he gets to meet a lot of people)
Ultracrepidarian- t1_je5vh5r wrote
Life as you know it will end.
leetnewb2 t1_je5y5a0 wrote
Especially if you are a first time dog owner, check out /r/dogs, /r/dogtraining, and /r/puppy101
Also, there is some outstanding content on youtube for dog training. Kikopup, Simpawtico are two of my favorites.
Watercress_fowl t1_je69dog wrote
If your dog is not house trained, rotate feeding them in every room. Dogs inherently have cleanliness instinct to not pee or poop where they eat and sleep. We house broke our puppy in a week by doing this
Funny_Breadfruit_413 t1_je6lfn2 wrote
Please train your dog.
WastedPotenti4I t1_je79b8o wrote
PLEASE make sure you know the foods that dogs can/cannot eat. A big well-known no-no is chocolate but grapes are less known and are worse. It might not seem like a big deal if your dog eats a grape but it could be life or death if you don’t act quickly.
Here’s a good list of things to avoid feeding/letting your dog eat: https://www.petsbest.com/blog/20-foods-dogs-shouldnt-eat/
lazygramma t1_je7fgd4 wrote
Don’t do it.
Goldfish2022 t1_je7s6jw wrote
Love your dog more than your stuff. Meaning if your dog eats your favorite shoes or tears up the sofa, don't surrender them to a shelter. Work with them and teach them and practice patience. You are their whole world and family. That's something many dog owners don't get. Wish you the best of luck. Dogs are amazing.
Goldfish2022 t1_je7so3c wrote
Read dog food ingredients and buy high quality dog food. I swear it's kept my dogs healthy and extended their lives.
Don't do grain-free, it can cause cardiac issues.
no_brain_st t1_je941rw wrote
Most people haven't talked about the adoption process. Every shelter is different. Some won't even consider you without prior pets and want prior vet and references to confirm. Some will want you to have a fenced yard. Some may even want a house visit.
St Huberts is where I got my pup and they are much simpler. Quick form, meet dogs pay price and they will call to see how things are a few times over the next few weeks. Also their training is cheaper if you adopt from them.
Also just note that most of the shelters have pit mixes labeled as lab mix, gsd mix, etc. Pits can be great but not for everyone.
As far as training I recommend 2 books by Shay Kelly, Canine Enrichment and Dog Training and Behavior. If you are getting a puppy Canine Enrichment is a must IMO, it will give you plenty of ideas to keep your buddy busy and give you a much needed break.
CobraCommander t1_je4j16n wrote
Try not to take him to the dog park. Dog parks are overrun by Karens and people who have never trained their dog. Get a good collar, not a harness. You want to control the dog, not have him pull you or the potential to wriggle out of the harness. Petco has dog training classes, not expensive, I strongly suggest you take them. Socialize the dog as much as you can as frequently as you can. Give him a hug for me.