New dog, a few questions? - Page 2

Lowejackson · 12-12-05, 09:31

I am sorry to hear the news. I can partially understand, when my dog was put down a couple of years ago it broke my heart and I did not want another dog. Six months later I was talked into going back to the Animal Refuge and we ended up with a really nice and friendly dog. I guess it took me 6 months to really accept this new animal and often I wondered if we were simply filling a hole. I now believe this was a false assumption and the dog we currently have is so different that she just lives in a different place in our hearts.

The only other issue I have is one of my demotion within the pack. My dog used to see me as the pack leader whereas the new one sees my wife as the leader

but then again, so does my wife

Accumulator · 12-12-05, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowejackson

..The only other issue I have is one of my demotion within the pack. My dog used to see me as the pack leader whereas the new one sees my wife as the leader

but then again, so does my wife

Heh heh

Sarcazmo · 12-12-05, 08:24

Sorry to hear you are petless! There's nothing quite like the joy an animal can bring.

Some general info about pet foods for ya. In general, if a food has corn at all in it, it is not considered a good food. That Joy Pet food has corn as the 3rd ingredient! It's too high up in the list, and it's present. I'm not saying it's a bad food, but there are many other much better foods out there.

I'd recommend doing a search on google for the Whole Dog Journal list of foods. They make a list of foods based on how good their ingredients are.

However, remember that dogs are carnivores. The best thing you can feed your dog is a raw diet. Since that's not practical for most people, food with a high percentage of meat protein is ideal. This is where Timberwolf Organics shines. It's highest protein food contains 90% meat protein, and it's lowest contains 50%.

There are plenty of other great foods out there, Canidae and Innova (Both of which my dog loved). In the future, you'll probably have to try a little bit to find out which food your dog does the best on.

And if you are looking for a dog, (I'm being selfish here...) may I suggest adopting a pit bull? They get such a bad rap, and really are outstanding dogs. There are so many great rescue organizations out there that can help out with the choice of a new dog. (For all breeds)http://media.putfile.com/Pits--Friends95

Neothin · 12-13-05, 05:41

thanks guys. As for the pitbull, I think that's a no go. My parents are freaked out by them. I personally don't have a problem with them. My ex had 2 and they were great dogs. A little dumb, but really loveable. But hey, I ultimately don't make the decision. You guys seem to know your breeds, I'm looking for a dog that will live in a large house, can go outside 3 times a day or so on a leash (gated community rules= dogs on leashes, and no fenced backyards), no small children in the house, we're gone for about 3-5 hours at a time so the dog has to be able to handle that, uhhh any other information needed?

DFTowel · 12-13-05, 06:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by White95Max

...Any idea why Molly was howling all night?

It's called being a Beagle! And a puppy adjusting to a new home to boot. Sorry to say this but I have no patience with people who don't give a dog a chance. Given some time she would have been fine, letting her sleep with a stuffed toy and a ticking alarm clock would have gone a long way to helping her sleep at night. This is now one dog that will have serious issues for a long time what with being mistreated by one owner and now "abandoned" by another.

Neothin · 12-13-05, 07:14

Don't blame me! I wasn't the one that took her back! I was sleeping when the decision to take her back was made. I had no choice in it at all

Sarcazmo · 12-13-05, 07:25

Any dog will meet your criteria. The biggest factor is the time you put into them when you get 'em. I find it a bit easier to start out with a pup, just because they're a tad more malleable, but older dogs are easy as well.

What else are you looking for? What size? What qualities? I.E. Lots of energy, protective, etc? Aloof with strangers?

Any dog can handle 3-5 hours alone, and be taught to walk well on a lead. It's the traits you're looking for that'll differentiate 'em.

If you don't go through a rescue, go through a reputable breeder. Reputable breeder's don't post adds in the newspapers. Usually you have to go through a breed's club to find a good breeder. You end up paying a little more, but you get a lifetime of support and feedback from people who have owned dogs for most of their life.

CarWeenie · 12-13-05, 07:50

Quote:

It's called being a Beagle!

We picked up our puppy at the airport yesterday. These was another beagle on the same flight (someone else's dog). The beagle was pretty "barky" actually - I was a bit surprised.
A very good looking/friendly dog, nonetheless.

So we have been fighting our puppy last night. It peeed 5 times in the house last night.
One second, it was playing great with you, then it just went (or I am not reading his body language too well). Woked me up at 11:30 and again at 3:00 am. Finally, I woke up for
good at 5 this morning. My kids and my wife are in love, though.

White95Max · 12-13-05, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarWeenie

One second, it was playing great with you, then it just went (or I am not reading his body language too well).

I think you got the puppy a little TOO excited when you were playing with it. I believe that happens a lot with puppies.

Accumulator · 12-13-05, 08:16

Heh heh, howling/barking....well, as DFTowel said, that's what Beagles do

It's a vocal breed so you'll have to do a little work on teaching it to be quiet and you've gotta have realistic expectations.

CarWeenie- Your new pal is adjusting to a lot of changes, what with the flight, the new home, and all this attention from new people. So I'm not all that surprised that he's had a few accidents. The frequent outings in the night will gradually decrease. Better to take him out too often than not often enough

Remember that sometimes when a pup is really hyper it's not just play-mode, it's a signal that he need to go

And yeah, as White95Max pointed out, you can get thing flowing by getting a pup over excited too.

CarWeenie · 12-13-05, 10:11

Quote:

Remember that sometimes when a pup is really hyper it's not just play-mode, it's a signal that he need to go

I guess I can't tell yet whether the puppy is in the "wow, you are really fun to play with, let me attack you some more" mode, or "hey buster, I really need to go badly, let me attack you to get your butt moving" mode.

I do have a question. The puppy is really nippy. Is that normal for an 11-week old pup?
It really likes to bite my heel, toes, hands.

White95Max · 12-13-05, 10:12

Puppies, like small children, often like to chew on everything. IMO it's perfectly normal for puppies to want to chew on your feet/hands.