Got my first dog last night, any tips
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Texas/Afghanistan
k just keep him well fed and watered and the medicine will do the rest. i always record my dogs weight religiously and let my vet know the dogs progress. if the dog grows too fast/slow then they can take action sooner and more effectively address the problem. harley was growing to fast so we had to put him on a low protein diet. his growth spurts put him in danger of earlier onset hip dysplasia.
anyways congrats on the pup. if you want any training tips pm me.
anyways congrats on the pup. if you want any training tips pm me.
Whoever told you to give him an old shoe to chew on is wrong. Don't do that. Dogs don't know the difference between old shoes and new shoes. It only confuses them when you scold them for chewing a new/good shoe, then hand them an old shoe to chew on. Buy him his own toys and whenever he tries to chew on something he's no supposed to, sternly tell him no and then give him one of his toys and when he starts to play with it, give him tons of praise.
As far as the potty training, when they're very young, they tend to nap alot. I always found it was easy to take them out right after they get up from a nap, 'cause they usually have to go potty then. When they get outside and do go potty, once again, give him lots of praise. Dogs live to make you happy and when they realize that something they do makes you happy, it's easier for them to learn that behavior. Also, try to keep a close eye on him as he wanders around. When he starts to sniff the ground alot, it usually means he's getting ready to potty. Take that as a sign he may need to go out. Finally, if he does have an accident, don't scold him unless you catch him in the act. If you don't realize it until a few minutes later and then try to scold him for it, he probably won't know what the hell you're mad about. And please, don't do that thing that some people do by rubbing their nose in it. That's just cruel and confuses the dog.
I've always crate trained our dogs. Buy a crate, and when you leave the house, put him in the crate, not for too long though. As a puppy, he still has a small bladder, so he won't be able to hold it for more than a few hours. And if you do leave him too long and he has no choice but to relieve himself in the crate, he may get used to being near his excrement. That will really screw up the potty training. For the most part, dogs prefer not to relieve themselves near where they have to lie/sleep. So using a crate can be a good potty training tool, as long as you don't leave him too long in there while he's still learning control of his bladder.
Another tip, feed him on a regular schedule. Put his food out at a set time and only leave it there for a pre-determined amount of time. Don't leave it out all day. The reason I say this is because it's easier to control when the poop comes out if you have control of when the food goes in.
Once he's done eating, take him for a walk. This usually helps him go poop. Oh, and make sure to be a responsible pet owner and bring some plastic bags along to pick up after him. Nobody likes dog **** in their yard, 
Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps.
Here's my 2 year old female doberman, Schatzi.
As far as the potty training, when they're very young, they tend to nap alot. I always found it was easy to take them out right after they get up from a nap, 'cause they usually have to go potty then. When they get outside and do go potty, once again, give him lots of praise. Dogs live to make you happy and when they realize that something they do makes you happy, it's easier for them to learn that behavior. Also, try to keep a close eye on him as he wanders around. When he starts to sniff the ground alot, it usually means he's getting ready to potty. Take that as a sign he may need to go out. Finally, if he does have an accident, don't scold him unless you catch him in the act. If you don't realize it until a few minutes later and then try to scold him for it, he probably won't know what the hell you're mad about. And please, don't do that thing that some people do by rubbing their nose in it. That's just cruel and confuses the dog.
I've always crate trained our dogs. Buy a crate, and when you leave the house, put him in the crate, not for too long though. As a puppy, he still has a small bladder, so he won't be able to hold it for more than a few hours. And if you do leave him too long and he has no choice but to relieve himself in the crate, he may get used to being near his excrement. That will really screw up the potty training. For the most part, dogs prefer not to relieve themselves near where they have to lie/sleep. So using a crate can be a good potty training tool, as long as you don't leave him too long in there while he's still learning control of his bladder.
Another tip, feed him on a regular schedule. Put his food out at a set time and only leave it there for a pre-determined amount of time. Don't leave it out all day. The reason I say this is because it's easier to control when the poop comes out if you have control of when the food goes in.
Once he's done eating, take him for a walk. This usually helps him go poop. Oh, and make sure to be a responsible pet owner and bring some plastic bags along to pick up after him. Nobody likes dog **** in their yard, Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps.
Here's my 2 year old female doberman, Schatzi.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Cen-Tex
Whoever told you to give him an old shoe to chew on is wrong. Don't do that. Dogs don't know the difference between old shoes and new shoes. It only confuses them when you scold them for chewing a new/good shoe, then hand them an old shoe to chew on. Buy him his own toys and whenever he tries to chew on something he's no supposed to, sternly tell him no and then give him one of his toys and when he starts to play with it, give him tons of praise.
As far as the potty training, when they're very young, they tend to nap alot. I always found it was easy to take them out right after they get up from a nap, 'cause they usually have to go potty then. When they get outside and do go potty, once again, give him lots of praise. Dogs live to make you happy and when they realize that something they do makes you happy, it's easier for them to learn that behavior. Also, try to keep a close eye on him as he wanders around. When he starts to sniff the ground alot, it usually means he's getting ready to potty. Take that as a sign he may need to go out. Finally, if he does have an accident, don't scold him unless you catch him in the act. If you don't realize it until a few minutes later and then try to scold him for it, he probably won't know what the hell you're mad about. And please, don't do that thing that some people do by rubbing their nose in it. That's just cruel and confuses the dog.
I've always crate trained our dogs. Buy a crate, and when you leave the house, put him in the crate, not for too long though. As a puppy, he still has a small bladder, so he won't be able to hold it for more than a few hours. And if you do leave him too long and he has no choice but to relieve himself in the crate, he may get used to being near his excrement. That will really screw up the potty training. For the most part, dogs prefer not to relieve themselves near where they have to lie/sleep. So using a crate can be a good potty training tool, as long as you don't leave him too long in there while he's still learning control of his bladder.
Another tip, feed him on a regular schedule. Put his food out at a set time and only leave it there for a pre-determined amount of time. Don't leave it out all day. The reason I say this is because it's easier to control when the poop comes out if you have control of when the food goes in. Once he's done eating, take him for a walk. This usually helps him go poop. Oh, and make sure to be a responsible pet owner and bring some plastic bags along to pick up after him. Nobody likes dog **** in their yard,
Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps.
Here's my 2 year old female doberman, Schatzi.
As far as the potty training, when they're very young, they tend to nap alot. I always found it was easy to take them out right after they get up from a nap, 'cause they usually have to go potty then. When they get outside and do go potty, once again, give him lots of praise. Dogs live to make you happy and when they realize that something they do makes you happy, it's easier for them to learn that behavior. Also, try to keep a close eye on him as he wanders around. When he starts to sniff the ground alot, it usually means he's getting ready to potty. Take that as a sign he may need to go out. Finally, if he does have an accident, don't scold him unless you catch him in the act. If you don't realize it until a few minutes later and then try to scold him for it, he probably won't know what the hell you're mad about. And please, don't do that thing that some people do by rubbing their nose in it. That's just cruel and confuses the dog.
I've always crate trained our dogs. Buy a crate, and when you leave the house, put him in the crate, not for too long though. As a puppy, he still has a small bladder, so he won't be able to hold it for more than a few hours. And if you do leave him too long and he has no choice but to relieve himself in the crate, he may get used to being near his excrement. That will really screw up the potty training. For the most part, dogs prefer not to relieve themselves near where they have to lie/sleep. So using a crate can be a good potty training tool, as long as you don't leave him too long in there while he's still learning control of his bladder.
Another tip, feed him on a regular schedule. Put his food out at a set time and only leave it there for a pre-determined amount of time. Don't leave it out all day. The reason I say this is because it's easier to control when the poop comes out if you have control of when the food goes in.
Once he's done eating, take him for a walk. This usually helps him go poop. Oh, and make sure to be a responsible pet owner and bring some plastic bags along to pick up after him. Nobody likes dog **** in their yard, Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps.
Here's my 2 year old female doberman, Schatzi.
Absolutely spot on about the crate and potty training! Great tips. Also, spankings and smaking are not needed with dogs. Strong enforced verbal commands do plenty and have more effect than hitting.
Watch the "Dog Whisperer". Be calm essertive, lol...
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: TX
In regard to vaccines you might want to look into the following: I just registered my dog at Pets Mart - Banfield clinic sp? Any how for about $22 a month you can sign your dog up on a "pet plan" which includes ALL his start up shots, including dhlpp, rabies, de wormer twice a year, boosters etc. All vet check ups are free of charge as well as other perks ie. 10% of meds and xrays etc. We signed my 3 yr old Amstaff up for it and after the first visit to give him all his shots for the year we saved over $400. Do yourself a favor and visit petsmart and check out the literature it will pay off i have NO doubt esp for a puppy with no shots yet.... let us know how it goes GL.
Here is the link to save you some searching
http://www.banfield.net/optimum-wellness-plans-puppies
Here is the link to save you some searching
http://www.banfield.net/optimum-wellness-plans-puppies
Cute puppy man. I'll say again about the potty training. Taking him out religously is a good way to put it. A couple minutes after you give him water take him out. Don't pick him up all the time otherwise when he gets bigger he will expect it more and start jumping on you and other ppl. So don't let him jump on you either. Also if he's goin to be inside dog make sure you don't let him get on your furniture and get on to him when he tries. He'll learn quickly
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Appreciate all the input. BTW, nobody told me to get him an old shoe to chew one. He has a toy he can chew on, I won't all ow him to chew on anything else, unless he does it when im not around of course.
I have been keeping him in my bathroom, so there isn't really anything to chew one there. I moved the trash can so he can't get to it. Plus with him in there, when he does go to the bathroom while im at work or in class, it will atleast be easier to clean up.
I have been keeping him in my bathroom, so there isn't really anything to chew one there. I moved the trash can so he can't get to it. Plus with him in there, when he does go to the bathroom while im at work or in class, it will atleast be easier to clean up.
Best thing to do is keep house training him and he'll learn not to **** or **** in the bathroom. I'd definitely invest in a large kennel. You can pick one up at tractor supply or maybe lowes for cheaper than petsmart usually. Or keep an eye out on craigslist
Appreciate all the input. BTW, nobody told me to get him an old shoe to chew one. He has a toy he can chew on, I won't all ow him to chew on anything else, unless he does it when im not around of course.
I have been keeping him in my bathroom, so there isn't really anything to chew one there. I moved the trash can so he can't get to it. Plus with him in there, when he does go to the bathroom while im at work or in class, it will atleast be easier to clean up.
I have been keeping him in my bathroom, so there isn't really anything to chew one there. I moved the trash can so he can't get to it. Plus with him in there, when he does go to the bathroom while im at work or in class, it will atleast be easier to clean up.
Came home to my Toilet feed line spraying 8ft of water into the next room and a wet dog huddled scared in the corner. Damn puppy teeth make pinholes.
Watch out with the bathroom. We used to have a couple of beagles and we kept them in the bathroom before we discovered the wonders of a crate. They dug into all the sheetrock and ruined the baseboards. Not a pretty sight. With our current dog, we crate trained her first and now we can safely keep her in the bathroom. Of course, you can never really tell which dogs are gonna be destructive, but one piece of advice that I think is fitting, for some dogs, chewing up or destroying things is kinda their way of getting back at you if they feel neglected or something. Just make sure to give him lots and lots of positive attention and love so he doesn't have to get satisfaction from messing up your stuff.
Whoever told you to give him an old shoe to chew on is wrong. Don't do that. Dogs don't know the difference between old shoes and new shoes. It only confuses them when you scold them for chewing a new/good shoe, then hand them an old shoe to chew on. Buy him his own toys and whenever he tries to chew on something he's no supposed to, sternly tell him no and then give him one of his toys and when he starts to play with it, give him tons of praise.
As far as the potty training, when they're very young, they tend to nap alot. I always found it was easy to take them out right after they get up from a nap, 'cause they usually have to go potty then. When they get outside and do go potty, once again, give him lots of praise. Dogs live to make you happy and when they realize that something they do makes you happy, it's easier for them to learn that behavior. Also, try to keep a close eye on him as he wanders around. When he starts to sniff the ground alot, it usually means he's getting ready to potty. Take that as a sign he may need to go out. Finally, if he does have an accident, don't scold him unless you catch him in the act. If you don't realize it until a few minutes later and then try to scold him for it, he probably won't know what the hell you're mad about. And please, don't do that thing that some people do by rubbing their nose in it. That's just cruel and confuses the dog.
I've always crate trained our dogs. Buy a crate, and when you leave the house, put him in the crate, not for too long though. As a puppy, he still has a small bladder, so he won't be able to hold it for more than a few hours. And if you do leave him too long and he has no choice but to relieve himself in the crate, he may get used to being near his excrement. That will really screw up the potty training. For the most part, dogs prefer not to relieve themselves near where they have to lie/sleep. So using a crate can be a good potty training tool, as long as you don't leave him too long in there while he's still learning control of his bladder.
Another tip, feed him on a regular schedule. Put his food out at a set time and only leave it there for a pre-determined amount of time. Don't leave it out all day. The reason I say this is because it's easier to control when the poop comes out if you have control of when the food goes in. Once he's done eating, take him for a walk. This usually helps him go poop. Oh, and make sure to be a responsible pet owner and bring some plastic bags along to pick up after him. Nobody likes dog **** in their yard,
Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps.
Here's my 2 year old female doberman, Schatzi.
As far as the potty training, when they're very young, they tend to nap alot. I always found it was easy to take them out right after they get up from a nap, 'cause they usually have to go potty then. When they get outside and do go potty, once again, give him lots of praise. Dogs live to make you happy and when they realize that something they do makes you happy, it's easier for them to learn that behavior. Also, try to keep a close eye on him as he wanders around. When he starts to sniff the ground alot, it usually means he's getting ready to potty. Take that as a sign he may need to go out. Finally, if he does have an accident, don't scold him unless you catch him in the act. If you don't realize it until a few minutes later and then try to scold him for it, he probably won't know what the hell you're mad about. And please, don't do that thing that some people do by rubbing their nose in it. That's just cruel and confuses the dog.
I've always crate trained our dogs. Buy a crate, and when you leave the house, put him in the crate, not for too long though. As a puppy, he still has a small bladder, so he won't be able to hold it for more than a few hours. And if you do leave him too long and he has no choice but to relieve himself in the crate, he may get used to being near his excrement. That will really screw up the potty training. For the most part, dogs prefer not to relieve themselves near where they have to lie/sleep. So using a crate can be a good potty training tool, as long as you don't leave him too long in there while he's still learning control of his bladder.
Another tip, feed him on a regular schedule. Put his food out at a set time and only leave it there for a pre-determined amount of time. Don't leave it out all day. The reason I say this is because it's easier to control when the poop comes out if you have control of when the food goes in.
Once he's done eating, take him for a walk. This usually helps him go poop. Oh, and make sure to be a responsible pet owner and bring some plastic bags along to pick up after him. Nobody likes dog **** in their yard, Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps.
Here's my 2 year old female doberman, Schatzi.
For discipline, get a training/pinch collar, make sure it's not too tight. With this, you will never need to hit your dog, nor should you. It makes them fear your hand. A simple sharp tug is an effective correction. Patience, schedule, exercise, consistency, and you'll have a 100% awesome dog. Dog Whisperer is a great show.
Launching!
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first of all, get the puppie all of it's shots! Don't cheap out on that! Parvo,everything. And, in Houston, most important is Heartworm medication. Also, make sure you socialize the pup early, and get it used to you messing with ears, paws etc., so later it will be easier to bath, trim nails, clean ears,etc.!
Whoever told you to give him an old shoe to chew on is wrong. Don't do that. Dogs don't know the difference between old shoes and new shoes. It only confuses them when you scold them for chewing a new/good shoe, then hand them an old shoe to chew on. Buy him his own toys and whenever he tries to chew on something he's no supposed to, sternly tell him no and then give him one of his toys and when he starts to play with it, give him tons of praise.
As far as the potty training, when they're very young, they tend to nap alot. I always found it was easy to take them out right after they get up from a nap, 'cause they usually have to go potty then. When they get outside and do go potty, once again, give him lots of praise. Dogs live to make you happy and when they realize that something they do makes you happy, it's easier for them to learn that behavior. Also, try to keep a close eye on him as he wanders around. When he starts to sniff the ground alot, it usually means he's getting ready to potty. Take that as a sign he may need to go out. Finally, if he does have an accident, don't scold him unless you catch him in the act. If you don't realize it until a few minutes later and then try to scold him for it, he probably won't know what the hell you're mad about. And please, don't do that thing that some people do by rubbing their nose in it. That's just cruel and confuses the dog.
I've always crate trained our dogs. Buy a crate, and when you leave the house, put him in the crate, not for too long though. As a puppy, he still has a small bladder, so he won't be able to hold it for more than a few hours. And if you do leave him too long and he has no choice but to relieve himself in the crate, he may get used to being near his excrement. That will really screw up the potty training. For the most part, dogs prefer not to relieve themselves near where they have to lie/sleep. So using a crate can be a good potty training tool, as long as you don't leave him too long in there while he's still learning control of his bladder.
Another tip, feed him on a regular schedule. Put his food out at a set time and only leave it there for a pre-determined amount of time. Don't leave it out all day. The reason I say this is because it's easier to control when the poop comes out if you have control of when the food goes in. Once he's done eating, take him for a walk. This usually helps him go poop. Oh, and make sure to be a responsible pet owner and bring some plastic bags along to pick up after him. Nobody likes dog **** in their yard,
Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps.
Here's my 2 year old female doberman, Schatzi.
As far as the potty training, when they're very young, they tend to nap alot. I always found it was easy to take them out right after they get up from a nap, 'cause they usually have to go potty then. When they get outside and do go potty, once again, give him lots of praise. Dogs live to make you happy and when they realize that something they do makes you happy, it's easier for them to learn that behavior. Also, try to keep a close eye on him as he wanders around. When he starts to sniff the ground alot, it usually means he's getting ready to potty. Take that as a sign he may need to go out. Finally, if he does have an accident, don't scold him unless you catch him in the act. If you don't realize it until a few minutes later and then try to scold him for it, he probably won't know what the hell you're mad about. And please, don't do that thing that some people do by rubbing their nose in it. That's just cruel and confuses the dog.
I've always crate trained our dogs. Buy a crate, and when you leave the house, put him in the crate, not for too long though. As a puppy, he still has a small bladder, so he won't be able to hold it for more than a few hours. And if you do leave him too long and he has no choice but to relieve himself in the crate, he may get used to being near his excrement. That will really screw up the potty training. For the most part, dogs prefer not to relieve themselves near where they have to lie/sleep. So using a crate can be a good potty training tool, as long as you don't leave him too long in there while he's still learning control of his bladder.
Another tip, feed him on a regular schedule. Put his food out at a set time and only leave it there for a pre-determined amount of time. Don't leave it out all day. The reason I say this is because it's easier to control when the poop comes out if you have control of when the food goes in.
Once he's done eating, take him for a walk. This usually helps him go poop. Oh, and make sure to be a responsible pet owner and bring some plastic bags along to pick up after him. Nobody likes dog **** in their yard, Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps.
Here's my 2 year old female doberman, Schatzi.
1. Crate train him
2. Try to let him out every hour or 2. Praise him when he does the business.
3. Remove anything you can get to on your hands and knee's including power cables, books, controllers, and so on. Never know when you could be doing something and not paying complete attention.
4. Get some books or research training on the basics like heeling, sitting, and staying. Also work on his attention span outside.
5. Find a good food that has named meat products as the first ingrediant like beef or chicken. This exludes all walmart/heb foods, they are full of corn husks and other crap as fillers. That's why they are so cheap. I feed my doberman orijen regional red(www.dogfoodanalysis.com). Also, since he is a bigger breed, I would stick with a lower protien to prevent joint problems (below 25%). I used Canidea ALS while my doberman was a puppy.
6. Get lots of toys and let him know they are his. Be forwarned, he will at least destroy one shoe or hat. Any time he grabs something he's not supposed to have, take it and give him his toy.
7. Have fun and enjoy puppy hood, and get him fixed at least by a year old.
As for meds, my dobie gets heartguard and revolution every month. (revolution mainly gets rid of or kills the fleas). Also had all 4 stages of puppy shots, and gets his yearly checkup. He probably had worms b/c the owners did not deworm the puppies. The g/f babbies the crap out of him so he is basically a 100 lb. cuddle bug.
2. Try to let him out every hour or 2. Praise him when he does the business.
3. Remove anything you can get to on your hands and knee's including power cables, books, controllers, and so on. Never know when you could be doing something and not paying complete attention.
4. Get some books or research training on the basics like heeling, sitting, and staying. Also work on his attention span outside.
5. Find a good food that has named meat products as the first ingrediant like beef or chicken. This exludes all walmart/heb foods, they are full of corn husks and other crap as fillers. That's why they are so cheap. I feed my doberman orijen regional red(www.dogfoodanalysis.com). Also, since he is a bigger breed, I would stick with a lower protien to prevent joint problems (below 25%). I used Canidea ALS while my doberman was a puppy.
6. Get lots of toys and let him know they are his. Be forwarned, he will at least destroy one shoe or hat. Any time he grabs something he's not supposed to have, take it and give him his toy.
7. Have fun and enjoy puppy hood, and get him fixed at least by a year old.
As for meds, my dobie gets heartguard and revolution every month. (revolution mainly gets rid of or kills the fleas). Also had all 4 stages of puppy shots, and gets his yearly checkup. He probably had worms b/c the owners did not deworm the puppies. The g/f babbies the crap out of him so he is basically a 100 lb. cuddle bug.
Last edited by redz_02; Apr 15, 2010 at 11:25 AM.
You need to take them out often and play with them. They need things to chew on and play with or you will have furniture and things with teeth marks. Taking them out often helps with energy levels and potty training them.
Good luck with your dogs, i love mine like they were my kids. 2 pitbulls that are just huge lapdogs
Good luck with your dogs, i love mine like they were my kids. 2 pitbulls that are just huge lapdogs
patience and patience is really the key
