* Disclaimer: Usually Michael is a animal shelter type of guy. Really, in most cases, there is no reason to need to go to a breeder. There are so many good dogs out there. However, he wants to get a poodle mix (these are goldendoodles) because it will be easier on my allergies, and since doodles are so popular - that means we need to get a puppy. I appreciate his thought, and I really appreciate the fact that he's decided to donate the same amount of money he is paying for the puppy to the local animal shelter. I am married to an amazing guy.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Adding to the family
* Disclaimer: Usually Michael is a animal shelter type of guy. Really, in most cases, there is no reason to need to go to a breeder. There are so many good dogs out there. However, he wants to get a poodle mix (these are goldendoodles) because it will be easier on my allergies, and since doodles are so popular - that means we need to get a puppy. I appreciate his thought, and I really appreciate the fact that he's decided to donate the same amount of money he is paying for the puppy to the local animal shelter. I am married to an amazing guy.
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2 comments:
Oh a new puppy!! I love dogs! Congratulations on the new member of your household!!
When we were raising Tycho, the trainer gave us all these exercises to do to make him not protective about food (so if we ever had a kid, and the kid stuck his hands in the food dish while the dog was eating, wouldn't get bitten).
They had us feed the dog and while the dog was eating, add yummy treats to his bowl. And also take stuff out of his mouth and reward him at the same time (like remove a dog bone while giving him tasty chicken skin).
He learned "hey, everytime they eff with my food, it gets better!" lol
Same thing with toys or whatever else dogs can get possessive about.
If he's teething and biting, say "OW!" in a high-pitched voice and stop playing. When puppies play with eachother and one of them bites too hard, the other will cry out and it tells the offender "hey, that was too hard!" He'll learn very quickly that in order to play, he has to be *extremely* gentle with his mouth.
If he jumps up on you and you want to discourage that, quickly turn your back and count to 5 or 10. He'll learn that to get your attention, jumping is not good.
Another thing we'd do is use a coke can with a few pennies in it, duct-taped on top. It's a great distraction device. When Tycho would do something bad, we would shake the can and yell "ah ah!" and then immediately give him a toy or something else he *could* have. I had a can in every room just so I could grab something quickly. He would look so puzzled but it worked like a charm once he figured it out. Eventually all I'd have to do is pick up the can and look at him and he'd stop what he was doing.
congrats!!
I like the coke can idea. I'll have to share that one with my husband.
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