New dog owner - Advice?

[skyblu]

Hi everyone!

I am adopting a boxer mix from the shelter and am so excited! :D

But, I haven't owned a dog since I was young and I want to make sure I do things right. For example, my old dog was small and never crated, but the shelter mentioned I may want to crate the boxer. What's this crating all about? Do I have to?

I'm also looking to join an obedience class because, although she knows some commands, the shelter said she could use a refresher.

Any tips, advice, recommendations?

Thanks so much!
~Sky.

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

Crate training makes it a lot easier for a dog to get into a regular potty-break schedule, and to adjust to being alone without anxiety. We crate-trained our Shepherd mix when we first adopted him, and about a year later we were able to start just leaving him out to roam the house when we were out.

Some dogs wouldn't need anywhere near that much time to adjust, and some might always need to be crated when their alone. It'll depend a lot on your dog's personality, and I suppose age, as well.

[Jazz]

Congrats on your pup! Any photos online from the shelter?

I'm a huge fan of crating. July 3 is our doggie's one-year anniversary of living with us, and she's still not ready to be left roaming the house alone. But when she sees us getting her Kong (http://www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.asp) (chew toy you can fill with treats) ready, she often heads right in her crate.

You may find that your dog is already inclined to need the safe space the crate provides. The first night we had ours home, we were busy assembling the crate and realized we didn't know where she was. After a panicked search of the house, we found her curled up in a dark corner of the laundry room. As soon as we got the crate assembled, in she went! I'll dig up a picture for you.

Here's info on how to crate train (http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/cratetraining.htm).

Obedience class is a great idea. Ask the shelter if any local places give a discount to adopted animals (Our local Petsmart gives a 20% discount to several rescues in my area -- we paid $80 instead of $100 for an 8 week course). It will give you specific things to work on with your dog as you're getting to know each other, and will help the dog understand that you're the Alpha in the house. I also found it nice to have someone to ask questions each week as things came up.

Congrats again! Boxers are so cute.

~Jazz :)

[Jazz]

Here's a pic of her in her crate. We now have it rotated 90 degrees, and the blanket on top is folded back so she can peek up to see us come down the stairs in the morning. She can stretch out the long way (as shown here), or curl up in the other direction. This crate is from petsmart, and they sell zipper-covered foam beds that fit inside. Shout if you have other questions!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/jazzier/Isa/isa_crate.jpg

[sublime311]

Congratulations!

I agree with all that crating is awesome! I started my puppy in the crate as a way to keep her from going potty inside (of course, that meant having to get up several times during the night to let her go), but as she got older I realized that it also keeps her out of trouble at night and makes her happy and secure. I have both my dogs go potty right before bedtime and as soon as we walk back in I say "Go to Bed" and they trot right in - no problems!

Also, if your pooch isn't potty trained, I would start out by containing her in a small space (kitchen, bathroom, etc) while you are away as dogs, unless there is a medical or emotional problem, will not go to the bathroom where they eat or sleep.

Best of luck to you!

[houseblend]

Congrats! How fun! We took our dog to Petsmart for obedience classes. Our trainer there was wonderful! I'm not sure if all Petsmart's are as good, but I would recommend giving them a look. I heard bad things about Man's Best Friend, if you have one of those.

If your puppy is anything like mine - she/he will teach you patience.

Anyway, congrats again!

[skyblu]

Aw, thanks for all the replies, guys! I'm heartbroken, the whole thing fell through. I have to start looking again. I'm so sad! This sweet girl and I just made a connection, but they gave her to someone else who didn't have kids. I can't believe how sad I am over a dog I never owned. :(

[Jazz]

Oh, that's too bad! You know about petfinder (www.petfinder.com), right? Hope you find your fur-buddy soon!

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

I can't believe how sad I am over a dog I never owned.
Oh, I'm so sorry! That's totally understandable though. I was going to adopt a cat my parents found, but just as I was going to pick him up, they got a call from the owners who had lost him. I was crushed- I just bawled.
But, the good thing is- a month or so later we adopted another tabby cat who is the coolest cat ever (well, in my opinion! :) ), and now we have a nice big family of that sweet kitty, a little girl kitty, and a big dog.

So, just know, that doggy was good, but he's apparently meant for that other person, because there's another dog that needs you even more. Here's hoping you and he find each other soon!

[sublime311]

Awww, I'm sorry.. :( It must mean that there's another pooch out there that REALLY needs you! Or maybe YOU really need her!

BIG hugs!

[jesvet]

Sky-
I'm so sorry it fell through, but I'm SURE you will find another pet who is perfect for you! There is no shortage of pups who need a loving happy home! :D

[ani]

I was just lookin' around before I go to bed but now I just have to post! I'm so sorry it fell through! I cried for a week over a cat I couldn't adopt (she had a health problem they didn't initially tell us about and I couldn't afford to take her in). Definitly check out petfinder and keep looking.

Oh and when you do find a puppy, look into NILIF (Nothing in life is free). You can't start until your dog knows the commands well, but the way of handling things can help everyone live together happily.

[skyblu]

OMG, thanks so much, you guys! I was so heartbroken, my son, who's 7, put his arms around me today and said "Mommy, Ginger just wasn't the dog we're meant to save. You'll see, we'll find the right one soon." Of course, that made me cry harder, but I know he, and you, are right. Onward with the search, and thanks for the support and advice.

I'll be sure to post when we finally meet our meant-to-be doggie!

[smiles33]

Just chiming in a little late that the right dog for you and your family is out there! The rescue groups near us in CA have websites where they post photos and short descriptions (e.g., personality or special needs) of new rescues, so I was on there DAILY when we were looking to adopt our little boy 3 years ago. Perhaps yours might, too? Then, we were able to e-mail when we saw photos of small dogs that appealed to us rather than just wait for the weekend "open house." We were really lucky in terms of timing because it's hard to find small dogs (I saw far too many large dogs like pit bull and Chow mixes whose owners likely didn't know what they were getting into--quite sad, really). Good luck!

[houseblend]

Aw, that's too bad! Your son sounds so adorable - definitely listen to his wisdom! :)

I know it might be a little while before you bring home a dog now, but I did think of one other thing to prepare for - start saving some rags. Puppies definitely require lots of random clean-ups!


Edited because I forgot the word son!

[skyblu]

OMG, guys, I am so excited I don't know where to begin!!

We got a dog!!!! I am so happy! His name is Blue and he's a 1-year-old pure bred Weimeraner.

I saw a flyer at our local bank saying his family is moving and can't take him with them. This was yesterday, and things moved so fast! We went to meet Blue last night and he's perfect! He's playful and sweet and great with kids. His mommy liked that I work from home and that we seemed to fall in love with him as easily as he loved us.

So today, she dropped him off! He's running around right now trying to figure everything out, and keeps sniffing at the window, probably waiting for his Mom, poor puppy!

Capturing a picture of his roaming self was hard, so forgive the crappy compsition, but, without further ado...
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b374/skyblu2/Blue/CopyofDSCN1982.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b374/skyblu2/Blue/CopyofDSCN1980.jpg

In real life his eyes are yellow-ish, not red:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b374/skyblu2/Blue/CopyofDSCN1983.jpg

Welcome to our family, Blue!

[houseblend]

Aw!!! Your new pup is adorable!!! How exciting!