I surprised the whole family with a new puppy for Christmas. We will be getting the puppy in mid Feb, it is just born. I had a dog as a kid and want my kids to have the same experience as I.

Except, I do not know/remember anything about training. I want to do crate. But the other stuff, sitting, heeling, etc need help. Also, best collars for training and leashes etc...

By Momoffour on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 - 01:04 pm:

What kind of puppy did you get? Hubby suprised the kids a few weeks before Christmas with a blue tick beagle. she is a character. I do recommed crate training. We got her a regular colar and leash she seems to be doing good with them. but it did take her awhile to get use to them being on. She still whines when she is in her crate at night. but not as bad as it was in the beginning. don't give up. My kids where the worst on wanting to let her out.

By Tonya on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 - 01:05 pm:

What type of dog?

By Missy3 on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 - 01:09 pm:

OOOPPS that would help huh?? A golden retreiver!

By Blueridgemom on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 - 01:14 pm:

Oh boy, I always sy labs and retrievers should come with a cord of wood. I had a 10-month old black lab eat a couch of mine once. She also ate a door. The crate is surely the only way to go with these oversized termites.

LOTS of exercise...yard time if you can do it...and seriously consider puppy school, I have heard it can work wonders. It seems expensive and I have never done it, but I have heard the owner learns as much as the dog (if not more) about how to handle the dog, and that makes life easier for everyone.

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 - 01:59 pm:

We have a black lab/boxer mix. She's a sweetheart, though not too bright. She's gotten in her share of trouble, but has *never* been a real chewer...(hoses, shoes, furniture etc.)
We didn't crate train her. But, she does know how to use a leash. She's overall a good dog, but more than once I've said that we should get rid of her because of one thing or another.
Lately, she's been VERY good....I'm waiting for something VERY bad to happen LOL...like she's saving up. Or, maybe she heard me talking and figured she better shape up before she ships out!

By Missy3 on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 - 03:19 pm:

I have looked in to puppy school, they take them I think at 6 months, does that sound right? It is around $20/class. I hope she is bright!!

How long do they chew for? Is it a phase?

Silly question, have you seen those doggie diapers? Is that doggie abuse? Just wondering? It sure will save my off white carpet when the *time* comes and she gets fixed.

How about the invisible fence? We have over an acre, it would probably really expensive to put up a fence which I do not know if we can do, no other neighbors have a fence so it might be a regulation in our town.

By Kaye on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 - 03:29 pm:

Okay I have a golden pup....my advice run now..ROFL! She is the sweetest thing, but boy is she a people dog! As far as the diapers, mine is due to be fixed now (6 months) and we don't have an issues, they like to take care of that before they hit needing the diaper phase. First I highly recommend crate training. Goldens are easy to train, they are smart dogs. You should get her around 8 weeks, you start house training serious at 10-12 weeks and our was trained by about 14 weeks. Not too bad, she does have an occasional issue still, we have to take her out, she hardly ever asks! You need a big crate. You need a good brush, goldens really need brushed a couple of times a week. They go to the vet once a month for the first 6 months for all sorts of shots and such. you need a leash, we used a harness at first which was great for the crazy puppy. Get used to a dog at your feet all day. Goldens are real people dogs. I had a dog before this that loved being with people and was my buddy, but Sandy puts her to shame, I literally don' walk a step without her right there! For example, as I type she is under the desk, on my feet, every 3-5 mintues she nuzzles my legs and if she does it twice and i don't reach down to touch her she kind of talks to me...not quite a bark..LOL. Anyway, have fun, the first couple of months are tough, lack of sleep etc. But what great dogs. I do hope you have the OFA clearences. Our puppy has hip dysplasia, it is very sad. We were told parents were cleared, have since found out they were not Always see the papers before you get attached!

By Boxzgrl on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 - 04:53 pm:

First of all, KUDOS FOR CHOOSING CRATE TRAINING!!! A lot of people just don't know how good it is for the pet and for them. As far as training, I could give lots of advice but i'd take up this whole message board (LOL) If you run into any specifics I may have advice (One of my older friends is a dog trainer). But most off all,
GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN and I'm SOOO JEALOUS!!!
-------I WANT A PUPPY!!!! (Waaa, Waaaaa)-------

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 01:05 am:

Congratulations on your new dog! Hope you have fun with her!

My dog is a people dog, too. Sometimes I can't even walk through my house because she is walking slowly in front of me! She is often at my feet when I'm by the computer, but right now she is on the other side of the basement chewing a rawhide. She is definitely my shadow and if I'm not here, then she is dd14's shadow!