Advice Regarding Getting A Dog

[VINASOL]

I wonder if some of you can help. I already have a gorgeous cat, but DH and I have decided that in the New Year we'd like to get a dog. I know that I will need to inform Ofsted and that when the time comes, but I wondered what dogs you all have and what type of dogs you woudl recommend.

We would like a small dog like a westie or king charles spaniel and think that they would be great with kids - what do you think?

[Ticktoria]

A doggy question - something I can answer for once rather than being the one asking all the questions :blush:

All breeds can have issues, and everyone has their own preferances, you just have to socialise them well, train them and give them their own space so that they can escape (when my 2 go on their beds my DD knows to leave them alone).

If you want a pedigree / pup research your breed and take advice from reputable breeders, and breed clubs. If you're not set on a pup why not go down the rescue route, they'd be able to match you to a dog used to children.

KC spaniels can have terrible heart, brain and eye problems so very important to find a breeder who has done all the relevant screening. We had one when I was a kid and he was great, didn't like to be over fussed and my neighbours two are the same they tolerate my DD, whereas my dogs (lab & beagle) will actively seek her out for play. Westies also need screening for health problems but can't think of what the issues are off the top of my head, my experience of westies and kids is not good, but I don't know the breed well enough to comment.

[fluffysocks]

if you are thinking a puppy the dont under estimate the amount if extra work you could be in for! We got a springer spaniel x labrador puppy in january. He was 9 weeks when we got him which has worked great as he has no choice but to be a social so-and-so and be used to all the noise and comings and goings. However he is incredibly playful and constantly been running off with the childrens toys, oh the amount i have lost due to his chewing and the copious amounts of toy cleaning i have endured. But that said he is well worth every bit, the kids faces when they see him-they really get a great deal out of him, and for some kids its the closet to a pet they will get. We often take trips to the pet shop and they take turns to choose new toys/treats for him.

I would highly recommend crate training, it sounds horrid to "lock them away" but not sure I would be surviving the puppy stage without it. In my experience puppies are very much like toddlers.

as for breeds, spaniels are a great size, but probably best to talk to breeders or rehoming staff as they will know generally what breeds are great with kids, but also bare in mind energy levels too and a realistic time you can dedicate to training and outings. I have a friend who had a king charles spaniel and he was the most docile thing ever, but there are also kc spaniels down the road and they are yappy things! I have always known Labradors, but they do get quite large and are known for being energetic and bouncy. A dogs "child" stage can last upto 2/3 years of age, my friend has a 5 year old lab and he is still as bouncy as ever yet my parents have a 7 year old lab and he calmed down around 18months with training.

hope i have helped. good luck.

x

[miss mopple]

wise words from the others :thumbsup:

We got an 8 week old rescue puppy in February and I wouldnt be without her. She has added so much to our home, but can be really hard work. She takes alot of walking even now, which sometimes with littlies and a pushchair just isnt practical so we get up and walk her at 6am most days :eek: She is a golden retriever cross (not sure what with) and has the most playful, loving temperement and is good with the kids if a bit bouncy at times :laughing:

Crate training has worked wonders for her toilet training and as said, it gives her a space of her own which is a must :thumbsup:

Oh, and start saving now as by gum are they expensive to run :laughing: Worth it though :D

[Ripeberry]

We are thinking of getting a puppy in a couple of years. I have only ever had cats and never a dog as my parents did not like them :(

We are thinking of starting off with a 'cat like' dog, such as a Whippet.
They are supposed to be very quiet and gentle and good with kids.

[PixiePetal]

Another crate user here :thumbsup:

We got our terrier x pup in Feb and she's now 7 months old. The crate has been a sanity saver - and probably saved a few shoes too, although she got one of mine this week :rolleyes:

When she is in there, she is to be left alone - and when she now chews something up and gets caught, she slopes off into it by herself :laughing:

Mindees love her to bits. DD (16) has been teaching her tricks :thumbsup:

[sunnysmile]

Whippets are fabulous dogs dogs to have, i have 2 and they are no bother at all, minimal shedding, they don't need a lot of exercise as they run in bursts and are such loyal dogs, so peaceful in the house.

[Baileys'n'cream]

Just wanted to add that I am also a crate user :D Well, I was when Bailey was a pup, she is now a 3 years old lab, still very playful but a lot calmer than when she was a pup, her crate was her favourite place :D

Well worth it, we had only had Bailey a matter of days and she was going into her crate all on her own for naps, it was her safe have from the tiny ones :D

[russell]

Hi I childmind with 2 staffies and rge children love them and vice versa but with anydog I had I wouldnt leave them on there with the children .I have childminded for 25 yrs and have always had a dog of some description and the kids have always enjoyed them

[Ali56]

We had a whippet and she was so good, she put up with so much from the children and never once complained! she used to love being in the middle of it all, or would watch happily from her bed-amazing dogs, so placid and very loyal. If i ever got another it would be a whippet again, as said above, minimal shedding, easy to train, just watch out for rabbits or hares-i once had to carry her over a mile back home when she ran off after a hare and twisted her foot!!! lol:D :D

Ali

[Shirlwith3]

we got a weimaraner puppy this year when we got him he was 15wks old is now almost 6 months old, we too use a crate :thumbsup: but also use a dog pen to section part of the room of so lo's can't crawl in to it as I have one 1yr old minde who would given the choice also he can greet them when they arrive but not be able to mobbed them as they sometime arrive with food in their hands, he has been very good with the babies crying & a toddler shouting just sleeps through it.
He is so good he has not once has he chewed any of my toys he will pick them up sometimes he preferreds wood, I once found one of my best shoes in his crate one morning & not a tooth mark on them.

Everyone has said get a crate another bit of advice do a risk assessment done too, as with a puppy you will have to clean up after them when they have an accident & make sure the carpet is clean for children to play on.

[Paws]

We are thinking of starting off with a 'cat like' dog, such as a Whippet. They are supposed to be very quiet and gentle and good with kids.

Whippets rock! They certinaly are very 'feline' and are absolutely awsome with children - even as tiny rascally pups. We have three dogs, but I honestly don't think we'll ever be without a Whippety Hound, they are fantastic.

:clapping:

[sunnysmile]

Just out of interest how does it work with you environmental health inspection with dogs as my CC officer has no probs but he thought environmental health might as they are int he kitchen?

[mushpea]

We have a lab, who must be the laziest lab ever,, he is very freindly and great with the kids,, i have had one child bouncing on his belly (yes they go told off!) and he didnt even move, babies have poked his nose and pulled his ears and he just lays there and lets them although i must add that as soon as i see them doing it i remove them and tell them off,, NO dog is totaly trustworthy , any dog can turn when they've had enough, i pesonaly think its more how the dog is treated and socialzed than the breed of the dog.
we also have rules, when he's in his bed he is to be left alone,,, he spends most of the day in the kitchen and hall and then goes in the garden either when i'm out there or when the children are indoors,,, I also dont let the children play with him because then he sees them as playmats and could get to excited around them plus when dogs play tug somtimes they grab a hand insted of the toy which could be seen as biting by the parents.
we do take him for walks, the kids love taking him over the woods and running with hm and it wears them all out:D
I wouldnt be with out our charly but once he's gone i dont think i will have another cause there would never be another charly.

[estrelas]

I have a lab apparently the best with kids

Well he's mad, eats everything carpet, me, shoes, mobile phones
He's only 5 months and apparently will calm down:panic:

love him to bits tho and i would get another :laughing:

[clorogue]

Crate trainer here too - wouldn't be without it! We have a westie now for 6 years my youngest was 5. He is a lovely dog, but I would never leave him alone with the childminding children, he actually doesn't have access to the childminding children - it is amazing after his walk in the morning as soon as a little one arrives at the door he goes into the crate in the utility room and sleeps, or is sectioned off in the utility room or goes outside, but then I don't childmind every day. They need their own space and the crate does just that, especially when they are a puppy.

He has never done anything, but you never know with dogs and children, what would it take for them to pull at him. I am being very cautious and I know that and the parents appreciate that too (explained it all to the inspectors when they visited and were impressed with that). He has his routine.

They are very intelligent dogs - he loves looking at the telly! They learn things very quickly. But they are a terrier.

One strong piece of advice we had when we were looking was to go to a breeder that has them in her own home, we did. They had a little area sectioned off in the kitchen and were well handled and socialised. That is the most important time in a dogs life up to 8-12 weeks, they learn so much and any fears that develop can be from that time. You should introduce them to 100 people before they are 12 weeks old. Beware of puppy farms. Really not advised to go to a breeder/kennels that breeds 2/3 types of dogs as the risk of cross infection etc is high and other problems as well as things wrong with them. It is strongly advisable to meet the mum and preferably the Dad and then you can see the background temperament of the dog. Different breeders offer different things but beware of breeders who say there is no need for the vet to check them as they have checked themselves also anyone that offers to meet you somewhere with the puppy, you need to see where it comes from. My friend bought a puppy that wasn't vet checked before she got him, and she paid a lot of money for a puppy with a deformed face. She went through a horrible time. They should be vet checked, some offer microchipping and I believe they should have their first injection. Our breeder gave us a lovely pack with a picture of his mother and the pedigree and so much information on bringing up a puppy.

I really researched into buying a puppy, I had to I childmind and I have 3 children of my own.

Kennel registered is not regulated, anyone can kennel kennel register a dog.

We took him to puppy training classes and he is well socialised so much part of our family now - wouldn't be without him for the world. He is a great character, but a completely different breed than a labrador and I love labradors too.

Nothing is his, we were told that when training I was told to even try to get in the cage with him!!! I can take his food away and anything off of him and no reaction whatsover, you really do need to do that. Otherwise they try to be the leader of the pack in the house - can't bear the consequences of that!!! My friend was on the verge of doing that until the vet told her that everything that was his is yours and to stand in his basket. We really can do what you like with him and he is so daft.

Hope you make a good choice, but I can't stress enough the importance of never leaving a dog around with a little one. Any dog has the potential when they are pushed too far. I know that if I had a little one going to a childminder who had dogs, I would be cautious too.

Apparently they are the best dogs to have if you have allergies as they don't shed hair, and are least allergenic dog!

Good luck!

[Dragonfly]

Getting my puppy Friday, a lurcher (losted my last lurcher 3 years ago she was nearly 14yrs old) never used a crate for past dogs but have got one for this puppy.daft question how do I go about using them?? put them in at night time? and when during the day help please!. also have brought a playpen/room devider to help wth separating puppy from children at times.
Anyone got a puppy RA coulds share please

[PixiePetal]

Getting my puppy Friday, a lurcher (losted my last lurcher 3 years ago she was nearly 14yrs old) never used a crate for past dogs but have got one for this puppy.daft question how do I go about using them?? put them in at night time? and when during the day help please!. also have brought a playpen/room devider to help wth separating puppy from children at times.
Anyone got a puppy RA coulds share please

when we got our pup, the crate was bed from the beginning - we had a bit of blanket from her bed with mum and siblings given to us which helped the process of settling.

She came out to play and toilet but in the crate for sleep and shut in over night. She is now 18months and out of the crate during days when no mindees but door open so she can put herself in for a nap. In at night with door closed and in when I need to when I am working.

[TheBTeam]

We used our crate from day one for overnight and for any time that we had to go out or couldnt supervise dogs fully like at lunch time for mindees.

We dont insist on the dogs going in during the day for sleeps, only if we have things to do that they can not be involved in, but on the whole as they have got older now they very rarely go in during the day, but then I have my husband here as well with me, so we can if necessary have one with dogs and one with children.

The dogs dont really bother with the children now and apart from the odd run off with food, they have settled well to the comings and goings.

I am so pleased we got the dogs because for years i didnt think minding and dogs would work.

[VINASOL]

Well, we didn't get a puppy at the beginning of the year, but we are going to collect our new puppy on 22nd July...the last day of term. I don't work holidays :clapping: :clapping: :jump for joy: and thought this would be the perfect time as we could crate-train her and get her used to times that we would not be in the house (school run for example) and I wanted to have time to house train too. I'm going to lock her out the back (by a stair gate but can also see her by my internal window), but because of our house layout, it means that she can have full access to the secure garden at the back and the kids can dip in/out with the dog iyswim.

So, on 22nd July we collect our 9 week old English Springer Spaniel. SOOOOOOOOO Excited....I say that I'm getting her for my DD but if I'm 100% honest, it is totally for me - a childhood dream!!

Am having fun watching the Dog Whisperer too...all I need to do is to find a good name....

[Dragonfly]

We are all going to compare puppy notes arent we?:) as there is a few of us getting puppies:thumbsup:

[VINASOL]

We are all going to compare puppy notes arent we?:) as there is a few of us getting puppies:thumbsup:

Oohh so exciting...definitely must start a puppy support group lol...mind you, do not forget about Cesear (dog whisperer - already giving me ideas lol):idea: :idea:

[Dragonfly]

havent seen dog whisperer:(

[PixiePetal]

Well, we didn't get a puppy at the beginning of the year, but we are going to collect our new puppy on 22nd July...the last day of term. I don't work holidays :clapping: :clapping: :jump for joy: and thought this would be the perfect time as we could crate-train her and get her used to times that we would not be in the house (school run for example) and I wanted to have time to house train too. I'm going to lock her out the back (by a stair gate but can also see her by my internal window), but because of our house layout, it means that she can have full access to the secure garden at the back and the kids can dip in/out with the dog iyswim.

So, on 22nd July we collect our 9 week old English Springer Spaniel. SOOOOOOOOO Excited....I say that I'm getting her for my DD but if I'm 100% honest, it is totally for me - a childhood dream!!

Am having fun watching the Dog Whisperer too...all I need to do is to find a good name....

My pup was named from suggestions I asked for on the forum :thumbsup:

She is called Halle :D

[Dragonfly]

Okay I stuck on puppy RA and puppy/dog policy can anyone help please

[Dragonfly]

had my puppy 3 days and suffering from lack of sleep :( how long does the crying go on ( the puppys not mine :) ) my late dog never cried during the night when left, only during the day when left, so this is new to me and to be obvious not nice. Any advice? vet said to leave the pup the same as a child you keep going to him he wont stop.

[Jods]

I have two Spaniels, one is home bred x

I hardly use the crate, but have found its more a case of keeping the children off the dogs and cats than the other way round lol!!!

So I use the crate as time out for the dogs away from the children x

Yes leave the pup whilst it crys, as soon as it calms down and stops then you can get it out, re-enforce the positive behaviour x

I have a pet policy, and a suggestion of a pet profile, where I have photos and a list of all treatments for parents to see, because some of my cats can be illusive lol, and I have 8 chooks and a dook, 5 pet mice and 1 horse and 2 ponys (not at home tho x)

[Dragonfly]

Crikey Samhunt you have a small farm :eek: hard work I bet. I have the new puppy four hens, 4 x 8 and half week old silver laced wynadotte chicks (if anyone knows how to sex them get in touch, they all look the same no obvious males!)
and we also have a leopard gecko ( my sons) that lot keeps me busy.

[Jods]

pft......tell me about it lol!! we even have Shelly our resident garden snail :laughing:

[AliceK]

Well, we didn't get a puppy at the beginning of the year, but we are going to collect our new puppy on 22nd July...the last day of term. I don't work holidays :clapping: :clapping: :jump for joy: and thought this would be the perfect time as we could crate-train her and get her used to times that we would not be in the house (school run for example) and I wanted to have time to house train too. I'm going to lock her out the back (by a stair gate but can also see her by my internal window), but because of our house layout, it means that she can have full access to the secure garden at the back and the kids can dip in/out with the dog iyswim.

So, on 22nd July we collect our 9 week old English Springer Spaniel. SOOOOOOOOO Excited....I say that I'm getting her for my DD but if I'm 100% honest, it is totally for me - a childhood dream!!

Am having fun watching the Dog Whisperer too...all I need to do is to find a good name....

I pick my Springer Spaniel puppy up on Friday :clapping: . He is my birthday present to myself after losing our old boy last October. He will be 9 weeks old. I'm so excited. Only got 4 days off though to settle him in before back to work next Tuesday. And I have got a crate ready and waiting, not used one before so hopefully he will be happy and see it as his den :)

xxx

[TheBTeam]

How exciting all these new puppies, especially have a soft spot for the springers, having two pups of my own!

Would love to see pics.

[Pipsqueak]

Whippets are fabulous dogs dogs to have, i have 2 and they are no bother at all, minimal shedding, they don't need a lot of exercise as they run in bursts and are such loyal dogs, so peaceful in the house.

someone forgot to tell my Daisy that then!!! lol She is a blooming looney toon.
Fair enough she is a whippet x (with a duracell battery i think) but a nutjob!

[Pipsqueak]

had my puppy 3 days and suffering from lack of sleep :( how long does the crying go on ( the puppys not mine :) ) my late dog never cried during the night when left, only during the day when left, so this is new to me and to be obvious not nice. Any advice? vet said to leave the pup the same as a child you keep going to him he wont stop.

tricks we learned....
wrap up something of yours (or whomever is his favourite) like a jumper and put in his basket/bed etc
put a ticking clock in with him - perhaps in above mentioned jumper..... ticking clock = mums heartbeat.

yes its the same as a baby - crying techniques..... remember he is a baby and he has left his mum and litter and all of a sudden on his own. try making his bed 'smaller' more cosy.

actually we relented (this was before we had kids) and Pip used to sleep on our bed!!!! lol

[VINASOL]

tricks we learned....
wrap up something of yours (or whomever is his favourite) like a jumper and put in his basket/bed etc
put a ticking clock in with him - perhaps in above mentioned jumper..... ticking clock = mums heartbeat.

yes its the same as a baby - crying techniques..... remember he is a baby and he has left his mum and litter and all of a sudden on his own. try making his bed 'smaller' more cosy.

actually we relented (this was before we had kids) and Pip used to sleep on our bed!!!! lol

i would llike our puppy to sleep in our room as I know i will give in later like we did with our cat who now sleeps in between me and my husband (who sleeps with his head next to our and stretches out like a human lol)...but breeder said to keep them in the crate at night...I so know I'll give in but I do want teh pup crated during the day....oooohhh only a few more weeks to wait...cant' wait to see everyone's piccies

[PixiePetal]

we had a bit of blanket from the pups bed when she was with mum so it smelled like her mum and siblings - had about a week of crying but lessened over time. We got her a 8 weeks and had her well settled into bedtime routine before we went on hols - she was 14 weeks then - and left SIL to house and puppy sit! ( 10.30 toilet and bed, up at 6.30 and out for toilet)

very much like a child, but without the bedtime story :laughing:

[emmadines]

hehe we had a Lab pup, hes 9 now! stupid as hell and completely attention deprived lol........

he ate a sofa - , shoes, toys and umpteen other things but still wouldn't be without him (hes great when the air bed has begun to deflate whilst camping lol) kids love him too

[Dragonfly]

Not crying at night now (puppy!) and getting into a routine, likes the crate also, at first he wouldnt go in but now is happy to stay in it without crying, although I feel like im caging him and it feels mean :panic: but on the good side he doesnt wreck the house when left alone.

[miss mopple]

Its not mean at all. Dogs love to feel secure and a crate gives that security. My dog loves hers :thumbsup:

[Dragonfly]

I know its not mean but [I] do feel mean closing the door at night and when I go out. Having said that i know she likes the crate as she goes in of her own choice during the day to sleep.

[littletreasures]

Picked up our new pup yesterday.

He hates the crate. He cried and barked nearly all night last night. Made himself sick when I tried to put him in this morning. Didn't even want to have his dinner when I put it in there earlier.

Going to have to work hard at trying to get him to go in the crate because I want him to be able to getaway from the children.

[emmadines]

persevere with him, hell adjust - have you put toys in there - old cola bottles (squished and lid back on) and teddies occupied Blue whilst in the Crate....

[littletreasures]

He's got teddies, a clock, a warm wheatbag.

If we can get him to go in the crate during the day using a treat, he immediately runs out. He won't stay in there at all, even for a minute.

I've out his food in the crate and left the door open, he will just about go in there to eat a bit and then comes out. He won't eat all his food and then come out.

[Dragonfly]

It only took my puppy about three days to get used to the crate.It is in the utility room next to the kitchen I put a gate up so he could see us, lots of whining to start with but its getting less and less, I only use the crate when i go out and at night, to lock him in it that is, but during the day he takes himself off to bed in it with door open obviously happy as larry with his blankets. Persevere :thumbsup: the 2nd night I had him I was up most of the night, dont give in.

Good advice on here for new puppy owners and children:clapping:

[Shirlwith3]

Mine has a blanket over so it is more of a den than a crate, so when he goes in it i.e. when I go out or a night , he will bark at the slightest sound other wise. I also give him a biscuit when he goes in too, I say "Otto bed" & he goes in without a problem now.

When we first got Otto he was 15wks old it was after a few weeks that we got his crates as he was not settling at night time, must say it is the best thing, hubby kept say in a few months time we'll get rid but has now changed his mind.

[Dragonfly]

Ha, Ha I have done that shirlwith3 :clapping: seems to make puppy sleep longer at night being darker, might just of been a coincidence though :)

[TheBTeam]

we too have a cover over the crate and fully enclose it at night, we only see this changing if it becomes too warm in the room and we need air to circulate.

[MaryMary]

I have a Springer. He will be 2 on 22/7, and is starting to calm down!

We crate trained from day 1. He cried every hour or so on the first night, but I didn't go to him at all. The only time he has cried in there since was when he had an upset tummy and had an accident in there :o

He loves his crate, and I often find him in there during the day. The door is left open 90% of the time now. He is left with the run of the kitchen and hall if I go out & at night, but I often come home/downstairs & find him in his crate. When I am working he is either in the kitchen and/or garden. He doesn't have the run of the house when i am working 'cos he has a toy stealing habit :blush:

I also have a crate in the car. As a springer, he loves water (the muddier the better!) & I don't want that all over the car!

Word of advice...nip being possessive in the bud! It is his only fault :(

[peach]

:panic: i didnt see this post when I posted mine sorrry :blush:

[AliceK]

I have had my pup 4 days now. I got him used to going in the crate by laying in there myself and having him come and cuddle with me. The crate is open during the day and he will sometimes go in of his own accord to sleep but mostly falls asleep by the back door. The first 2 nights he cried on and off but I didn't go down to him until day light. The 3rd night I sacrificed my fleece jacket and put it in there for him to snuggle up to (he loves to cuddle) and like magic he doesn't cry at night anymore. When I leave the house I give him a treat in his crate but I don't shut the door so he has the run of the kitchen but at night I shut the door. We too have a blanket over it for him.
Just gotta stop him mouthing us now. I've started making a noise like a high pitched dog squeal (my neighbours probably think I'm mad :laughing: )

xxxxxxx

[Dragonfly]

Mine keeps grabbing my ankles, hope the nipping and grabbing doesnt last too long sharpe little teeth:(

[AliceK]

Mine keeps grabbing my ankles, hope the nipping and grabbing doesnt last too long sharpe little teeth:(

Oh yes I'm getting that too :)

xxx

[littletreasures]

My pup's not really cuddly so no point me getting in the crate (if I could fit)!!!

I have just shut him in the play pen to feed him, but he's having none of it. I don't think he's eaten very much at all today. I've tried various foods, but doesn't want them.

He's still lively and is drinking so I'm not really worried, but I wanted him to go to bed on a full tummy so I stand half a chance of getting a full nights sleep!

[Dragonfly]

Hi little treasure, I dont feed my puppy in the crate just leave a bowl of water in it. In side his crate is a blanket and some toys. Im putting down his food if not eaten I take it away until the next feed (3-4 small meals last one 8pmish) I dont give the choice of different foods, if he is hungry he will eat.by the way if you are giving dry food i would moisten it with boiled cooled water (so doesnt get burnt!) till about 12weeks.
Mine has taken a week to get into the swing of things. good luck.

[VINASOL]

well, we collect our new puppy in just over two weeks time...

her name is Coco and she is a liver and white English Springer Spaniel....

(she is five weeks and three days old in these pictures)

[AliceK]

aww bless. I love my little boy to death, we've had him 3 weeks now and he is settling in just fine, mind you the honeymoon period is well and truely over, he's got his confidence now and is a little monkey :laughing: . What I want to know is whenever anyone see's him or I say we have a SS they all say something along the lines of "there's trouble" or "good luck!!". What have I let myself in for :laughing:

xxxx

[TheBTeam]

aww bless. I love my little boy to death, we've had him 3 weeks now and he is settling in just fine, mind you the honeymoon period is well and truely over, he's got his confidence now and is a little monkey :laughing: . What I want to know is whenever anyone see's him or I say we have a SS they all say something along the lines of "there's trouble" or "good luck!!". What have I let myself in for :laughing:

xxxx

If they are trained, set boundaries and given the right kind of mental and physical exercise and taught to chill, you have given yourself one of the best friends you could ever have!

[AliceK]

If they are trained, set boundaries and given the right kind of mental and physical exercise and taught to chill, you have given yourself one of the best friends you could ever have!

Thanks :thumbsup: ,that's what I'm hoping for.
btw, mental and physical excercise I can manage but how do you teach a dog to chill?

xxx

[Dragonfly]

Ha Ha chill doggie:laughing:

[TheBTeam]

You can teach them to chill, especially if they wake early morning, i did this by coming down and encouraging them to lay quietly with me, (maybe after a toilet and a few mins quiet play), he would then snooze with me. This helped getting him to sleep longer in the mornings because he then a bit like a child was used to sleeping so soon cut out the waking early bit.

We also throughout the day as well as providing him with things to chew to chill, we would also encourage him to sit quietly with us and gradually built up the time etc that he should stay calmly with you.

We also made it quite clear that sometimes he should chill and settle either with us or near us etc.

[littletreasures]

3 weeks since I last posted on this thread.

I can honestly say Koda is a real joy. He is so good now. He is eating really well and will occasionally get in to his crate to sleep on the bed, but usually still chooses to sleep in the play pen part which I'm ok with. I have taken a couple of panels out so the pen bit is smaller. I was hoping this might make him go int he crate but hasn't.

He isn't jumping up at all or biting very much. If I change the little ones nappies on the floor he has tried to get on them to play with them. I now pen him first.

We went to our first puppy class today and he behaved well. We are working on 'settle' and 'leave'. Both things I want him to do well. He needs to 'settle' in the car and to 'leave' the kids toys!!

We have come home and he has gone straight to bed after going out in the garden. Totally worn out.

[AliceK]

3 weeks since I last posted on this thread.

I can honestly say Koda is a real joy. He is so good now. He is eating really well and will occasionally get in to his crate to sleep on the bed, but usually still chooses to sleep in the play pen part which I'm ok with. I have taken a couple of panels out so the pen bit is smaller. I was hoping this might make him go int he crate but hasn't.

He isn't jumping up at all or biting very much. If I change the little ones nappies on the floor he has tried to get on them to play with them. I now pen him first.

We went to our first puppy class today and he behaved well. We are working on 'settle' and 'leave'. Both things I want him to do well. He needs to 'settle' in the car and to 'leave' the kids toys!!

We have come home and he has gone straight to bed after going out in the garden. Totally worn out.

wow, sounds like he is doing really well. My LO's are too scared of him to have him running around, mind you he does jump up so I'm not suprised. He has free run of the kitchen and garden most of the day and I crate him periodically for short periods like when the children are eating. The schoolies love him though.

xxxxx

[VINASOL]

OK...well I have LOST THE PLOT...:laughing: I have got the crate for Coco (she is comign home on THursday)...bought a pillow which fits perfectly in the cage and my DD happens to have a 'toy' dog the same size as Coco that I've put in the crate :laughing: I'm saying "woof woof" to the Cat whilst he is eating his food to get him used to something in the crate....

...someone commit me now! :eek: :laughing: