Dog Ownership (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter napolimp
- Start date
Grendel
Well-Known Member
Depends on many factors really and if you are getting a puppy or a rescue
It's a rescue dog, 5 years old.
LastGarrison
Well-Known Member
What age are you getting and what breed as this will make a big difference in the advice you need?
Most obvious advice is that be prepared for them to change your life massively in a variety of different ways. Research the breed in terms of how easily they are to train, how affected they are by separation anxiety, whether they’re easily crate trained, how their recall is, how much exercise they need, how they are with kids, other dogs etc.
Then look at what you are going to feed them, whether kibble, raw etc. as you’ll be amazed on how many well known brands fill their food full of absolute shit!!
Most obvious advice is that be prepared for them to change your life massively in a variety of different ways. Research the breed in terms of how easily they are to train, how affected they are by separation anxiety, whether they’re easily crate trained, how their recall is, how much exercise they need, how they are with kids, other dogs etc.
Then look at what you are going to feed them, whether kibble, raw etc. as you’ll be amazed on how many well known brands fill their food full of absolute shit!!
LastGarrison
Well-Known Member
Firstly, fair play for going for a rescue!!
What breed and do you have a background on its history?
Grendel
Well-Known Member
Good
He's a spaniel cross, not sure with what though. He's been kept in a cage for most of his life until rescue, that's all I know really. Still quite a good temperament considering though.
I've got a lot to do!
LastGarrison
Well-Known Member
The more research you can do before the better is my advice!
And just remember for those first few weeks to give him some space and let him find his own feet as it is going to be a big change for him.
I also found it fascinating learning about their body language which really helped me with my rescue! Licking lips and yawning means their nervous, sneezing is their way of telling you they’re playing etc.
Good luck and most of all enjoy him!
Mcbean
Well-Known Member
I would have suggested a cage but reading the post I see he has already been in one and he may not enjoy one again - don’t be surprised if he doesn’t go in your newly bought basket he will get comfortable eventually - get him on the lead as soon as you can and don’t be tempted to let him off unless you are in a confined area - use small treats if he does something good and talk to him - the more you can find out about why he’s a rescue the better
good luck - getting a rescue is a brilliant thing to give a dog another life
good luck - getting a rescue is a brilliant thing to give a dog another life
skybluetony176
Well-Known Member
That’s the best choice you’ll ever make in pet ownership.
greys4life
Well-Known Member
Definately agree with giving him plenty of time and space to get used to new places, new faces and new things he might not have encountered before.
Have had our current 4 legged friend for 4 months now and he's still learning lots of new things. He was kenneled for his 4 years before being sent to rescue. He hadnt been anywhere apart from kennels, track, kennels. Didn't know what others dogs were and is still very wary and has to be watched to see if it's a fight or flight situation.
So my advise would be to take things very slowly let him show you how happy is with something and if he's not dont push him just keep trying with treats, reassuring and calming.
We're trying clicker training with him at the moment and that is certainly helping with the aid of sausage.
The rescue should be able to advise of food that he's been used to, if walks on lead nicely and how much socialisation he has had.
But mainly time and patience and kindness.
Forgot to say get him a lickymat, spread is with whatever (check salt levels and for artificial sweetners), licky is calming and keeps them occupied for a while especially when frozen.
Have had our current 4 legged friend for 4 months now and he's still learning lots of new things. He was kenneled for his 4 years before being sent to rescue. He hadnt been anywhere apart from kennels, track, kennels. Didn't know what others dogs were and is still very wary and has to be watched to see if it's a fight or flight situation.
So my advise would be to take things very slowly let him show you how happy is with something and if he's not dont push him just keep trying with treats, reassuring and calming.
We're trying clicker training with him at the moment and that is certainly helping with the aid of sausage.
The rescue should be able to advise of food that he's been used to, if walks on lead nicely and how much socialisation he has had.
But mainly time and patience and kindness.
Forgot to say get him a lickymat, spread is with whatever (check salt levels and for artificial sweetners), licky is calming and keeps them occupied for a while especially when frozen.
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LastGarrison
Well-Known Member
Takes a thread about dogs to show the soft underbelly of SBT and everyone being civil and offering great advice!! 
skybluetony176
Well-Known Member
Just walk your new dog as much as you possibly can. It’s 100% the best way to bond with a new dog. It’s a part of their wolf DNA that’s never left them, moving around in a pack.
Sounds like it will be a smaller dog and you probably won’t be short of people telling you it doesn’t need as much walking. Ignore them. Walk it at least twice a day and as far as you can. Part of getting to know the dog will be learning how much exercise that they’re comfortable with but a couple of miles twice a day is a good starting point or at least a point to aim for.
Sounds like it will be a smaller dog and you probably won’t be short of people telling you it doesn’t need as much walking. Ignore them. Walk it at least twice a day and as far as you can. Part of getting to know the dog will be learning how much exercise that they’re comfortable with but a couple of miles twice a day is a good starting point or at least a point to aim for.
jimmyhillsfanclub
Well-Known Member
Find out exactly what food he is currently being fed and make sure you get it in stock, even if you're research has found it lacking.
You can change it at a later date but keep it the same until he's settled in his new gaff.
Stress and adrenaline can affect dogs digestion, so keeping his diet and portion sizes the same as he's used too takes it out of the equation when you're trying to figure out why he's just shit all over your floor....
Enjoy
You can change it at a later date but keep it the same until he's settled in his new gaff.
Stress and adrenaline can affect dogs digestion, so keeping his diet and portion sizes the same as he's used too takes it out of the equation when you're trying to figure out why he's just shit all over your floor....
Enjoy
Good luck, what you are doing is great. Have always had 'rescue' dogs of one sort or another and always found it rewarding.
Find out as much as you can about the dog and what it has been through before you got him/her. Although the dog has been in a cage for quite a bit of its life up to now, don't assume it won't want to go back in at times. If it does just leave the door open so it can come and go as it pleases.
Where you walk the dog can be important too. My eldest (Belgian Shepherd Malinois) was so distractable when she was young that the park was out of the question. Have always taken her (and the other dog I have) to the Green Way in Kenilworth. There are other good dog owners there and have never seen anyone with an out of control pit bull.
Spend time with the dog but remember there will be times when the dog just wants to be left alone.
Good luck.
Find out as much as you can about the dog and what it has been through before you got him/her. Although the dog has been in a cage for quite a bit of its life up to now, don't assume it won't want to go back in at times. If it does just leave the door open so it can come and go as it pleases.
Where you walk the dog can be important too. My eldest (Belgian Shepherd Malinois) was so distractable when she was young that the park was out of the question. Have always taken her (and the other dog I have) to the Green Way in Kenilworth. There are other good dog owners there and have never seen anyone with an out of control pit bull.
Spend time with the dog but remember there will be times when the dog just wants to be left alone.
Good luck.
ovduk78
Well-Known Member
We rescued our springer 2 years ago and he is a brilliant dog, very loving, makes us laugh every day, loves his walks and doesn't have a nasty bone in his body. He is the 4th springer we have had, the 2nd one we've rescued, and apart from having to overcome a few issues with the previous rescue, have had no real problems.
Good luck, you will hopefully have many great times with him.
Good luck, you will hopefully have many great times with him.
ovduk78
Well-Known Member
So sad, he was a beautiful dog & you will have some brilliant memories. The 2 in my avatar were our 1st 2. We lost Clyde on the right suddenly in 2010 when he was 7 and Bonnie when she was 15 1/2 in 2019.
@napolimp get some old towels from a charity shop, you will rarely get home from a walk with a dry spaniel!
This is Max.
Attachments
Thanks, literally haven't noticed any of those actions so far, but he's very relaxed.
This is great advice, especially with recent weather!
ovduk78
Well-Known Member
Any photos of him to share with us?
fatso
Well-Known Member
1, Get pet insurance. (Most vets recommend petplan)
2, always buy the best quality food, not the cheap multicoloured shite they sell in supermarkets. And vary the diet.
3, they need plenty of walks.
4, they love a fuss
5, socialise your new friend well with other dogs and people
6 Enjoy.
2, always buy the best quality food, not the cheap multicoloured shite they sell in supermarkets. And vary the diet.
3, they need plenty of walks.
4, they love a fuss
5, socialise your new friend well with other dogs and people
6 Enjoy.
Grendel
Well-Known Member
I would bother with insurance other than liability cover
LastGarrison
Well-Known Member
Look at buying things like snuffle and licky mats, Kongs etc. which are cheap and easy ways to engage your dog and tire them out.
Also, there's some great puzzles you can now buy (I've had a couple from B&M) which are excellent and are great fun for your dog as well.
Also, there's some great puzzles you can now buy (I've had a couple from B&M) which are excellent and are great fun for your dog as well.
Houchens Head
Fairly well known member from Malvern
I have a 8½ year old Chihuahua. He's walked 3 times a day about ¾ mile each time. He is the most loveable little mate I've ever had and I've had a fair few dogs in my 70 years! I was a military dog trainer / handler way back in the early 70's and have always had big dogs - German Shepherds etc, but when my last old boy passed away back in 2010, I swore I wouldn't have another dog. I couldn't go through the pain of losing one again.
Then one day, my missus said there was a puppy going really cheap (£100). I asked what breed, and she said 'Chihuahua'! I said "No way! I'm not having another dog! Especially not a bleedin' Chihuahua!", but then she insisted we go and have a look at the litter. That was it! I fell in love with the little bundle of fluff that bounded up to me in the sellers front room! He's a full long-haired Chi and he is now the apple of my eye!
Just after we got him
Begging pose!
Winning an Isle of Wight Dog Show
Me and my wee boy.
Then one day, my missus said there was a puppy going really cheap (£100). I asked what breed, and she said 'Chihuahua'! I said "No way! I'm not having another dog! Especially not a bleedin' Chihuahua!", but then she insisted we go and have a look at the litter. That was it! I fell in love with the little bundle of fluff that bounded up to me in the sellers front room! He's a full long-haired Chi and he is now the apple of my eye!
Just after we got him
Begging pose!
Winning an Isle of Wight Dog Show
Me and my wee boy.
Mcbean
Well-Known Member
Mmm it’s difficult - with our old fella they always found an excuse not to pay - like he had this before you started with us or it’s connected to something he already had - check that your house insurance covers accidental damage - over time we were worse off paying so we stopped in the end - spaniels are generally tough ( famous last words )
fernandopartridge
Well-Known Member
Got a puppy this week, must admit I didn't really want one but happy to go with it.
After growing up with a dog but not having had one since his passing in 2000, and having cats for the last 15 years nearly, I'd forgotten about what dogs are like. Can't help but like em really.
Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk
After growing up with a dog but not having had one since his passing in 2000, and having cats for the last 15 years nearly, I'd forgotten about what dogs are like. Can't help but like em really.
Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk