Advice needed, new dog, a little scared. ( DOG LOVERS RESPOND PLEASE )?

Its long but bear with me..





Hello,





This is my first puppy.





I am a grown up, and I am responsible in every aspect of my life, and I can feed it and I can give it the emotional support and time and love it deserves.





I have been thinking of getting a puppy for years and I have been resolved to do it, and now right before I am set to go get it I am a little worried,,, I am not having second thoughts, I just see the photo and fall in love all over again..





I understand that having a new addition in my life may be a little difficult, adjustments in patterns, things like that. but all humans are resistant to change so I am willing to work through this.





The problem is I have been looking on this site and many people seem to be complaining about what a nightmare their little dogs are, and this has gotten me worried.





Is there anyone with a positive experience with a puppy?


Have you ever felt this way?





any suggestions to calm my nerves?


Arent they bundles of joy and love?





Dont be harsh on me pleaseAdvice needed, new dog, a little scared. ( DOG LOVERS RESPOND PLEASE )?
Every dog owner thinks their breed is best. The fact is, Dogs have such a broad spectrum of types, personalities, dispositions, abilities etc. There is probably 1 kind of dog for everyone and no one dog is perfect for the entire human race. That would convenient but it just isn't so.





People will tell you it's all in the training etc, Well that's only partly true.





You can't train a dogs personality OUT of him or her. My best advice is to visit with different types of dogs and puppies. Dogs generally take 2 years to mature. That means, for the first couple of years they will MORE of a pain in the Kiester than the the adult years of their life. If you don't think you can handle 20+ months of an immature, needy, yappy, attention sponging being, then I strongly suggest you go to the ASPCA aka. 'the pound' and get an adult dog.





The old adage is true dogs mature at a rate of 7 years to every 1 human year. So, basically, by year two you have a Dog with the maturity of a14 year old. That also means at 6 months old you have a dog with the maturity of a 3 year old.- trust me I own a Female Neo Mastiff who will be 2 March 29th. It IS TRUE.





Be honest with yourself about your tolerances. You know you better than anyone. Your personal Idiosyncrasies are key. If you get a dog because he looked cute and not because you knew his overall disposition would suit you, then you are doing a massive disservice to the dog. Dogs are pack animals and they want NOTHING more than to be your pack. NOTHING. So I guess the answer is:





Write on a piece of paper the Cons of your personality and the pros.





If you are an impatient, short tempered, and hyperactive person then you will want a breed that is more in the intelligent end of the spectrum and a giddy up and go breed. Admitting you faults is not a bad thing here its the honest and right thing.





If you are a patient, single gal who loves tug of war and wants to lavish attention on a dog then a larger breed is perfect for you.





I have friends that own smaller breed and LOVE them. I know a guy who has 6, yes, six Beagles. Most people would never own Beagles because they have reputations for being Howlers. He says only one of his does it.





A gal I used to work with owned a Rat Terrier - for the last 16 years. They are very in - your - face dogs. That is, when She watches TV, her dog is up on the back of the sofa right next to her head. That would drive me crazy but she can't imagine owning any other breed.





Like I stated Earlier. I own a Female Neo Mastiff. Her disposition is SOOO extraordinarily laid back, it surprises people. She even plays with and guards the Cat. NO Exaggeration. I keep telling my husband we have to post that on you tube. Neapolitans Mastiffs are awesome with small children which is contrary to what one usually reads when reading about many dogs especially large ones. When we go to bed at night, she goes in my Kids room and ';counts her ducklings'; before she can retire for the night.





But I digress, Neo Mastiffs are not for most People. She is also Clumsy, needy, lazy, and messy. But she is mine and make no mistake,





The dog owns you right back.Advice needed, new dog, a little scared. ( DOG LOVERS RESPOND PLEASE )?
Puppies aren't just bundles of joy, they are work if you want to have a good companion. They need positive training and much attention. Most of the problems you see on here are due to either bad breeding or owners that don't put in the time to properly train their little bundles of joy and end up with a four footed terror.
If you properly train them then you will have a good time with them. It takes a LOT of time and work to care for a puppy. They are a bundle of joy, but they are also a load of work.
I love my small dog, she is great, took her to obedience classes and she is doing so well they told me to move her to a higher class level
Last Christmas (2007), we got my daughter a cocker spaniel. Our puppy is very well behaved. the ONLY problem we have with her is that she chews my daughters barbie dolls. Other then that, the dog is very well behaved, she comes when called, and has even learned a few tricks.





I think the puppies behavior has a lot to do with the owner and how you handle it. I would suggest, not only attending some puppy obedience classes, but also maybe picking up a training magazine (you can get at petco or petsmart for very cheap) and reading it. IF you have any trouble with your puppy, these should help you both deal with the situation in a very beneficial way for both of you.





Good luck. And don't worry too much. Just enjoy your puppy.
There's nothing wrong with being nervous about your first dog and even if your dog turns out to be a nightmare, you'll still end up loving them.


Depending on the type of dog your getting, it may or may not be hard to train them.


A lot of owners get the idea that their dog should listen to every command and fill in every expecation they have but dogs have their own personality and minds. Dogs think. Dogs will do as much they are able to do to please their owners but they have their own little things to do too.


Just try to calm your nerves and be ready to have the puppy start nipping at you and blankets because they'll start to teethe.


I don't know what else to say, but stop paying attention to all the negative feed on this site! There's thousands and thousands of owners that are happy with their dog-- including me and my family.





We're planning to get another dog to accompany our little 2lb yorkie.





My first dogs were little shih tzu siblings. They caused me a lot of havoc but that's because we never actually trained them and I was 12.


After we moved we gave them away and we got our yorkie. Then we got a little poodle that we also had to give away due to our landlord.





So we're moving again but this time we're bringing our yorkie and getting a pom. ^_^





Don't stress yourself out over the new puppy. Just enjoy.
It depends on the owner, more than anything else. From what you've said, it seems like you'd handle the adjustments fine. :)





You need to start training immediately... Potty training, obedience, etc... And do your research! One mistake that many people make is getting a dog on impulse or a breed that they simply find ';cute';. Different breeds have different personalities and needs. Even if you get one from an animal shelter and it's a mutt, you'll generally know at least part of its mix.


Added to breed research, feel free to ask any questions about training that you may have on here and do additional research about how to train the new addition to your family.. And enroll it in obedience classes. They really do wonders, even for already well behaved dogs.





If you're responsible and you have the time and patience to give your new dog... It really won't be as hard as you may think. :)
I'm not going to lie but in the long run I believe it's well worth all the problems. First it's a lot like a child there is a lot of training and teh accidents but if you raise tehm correctly you have a great companion for many years


First you need to understand that a pup doesn't get full bladder control until 6-8 months old so don't think you can let it roam the house much before this age without supervision.


You need to study on the breeds that interest you the most and slowly cut that list down thill you come up with what is best for you.


Since this would be your first pup I would strongly suggest first puppy classes then atleast a beginners dog obedience classes.


Also in your research find about the grooming and any health problems your specific breed is prone ot.


Just remember consitency is the most important thing in training.
First, stop referring to the pup as 'it'





Having a pup is like having a baby in your home....





Training and socialization is a MUST for any pup that you bring into your home!





''Arent they bundles of joy and love?''





If they were, there would NOT be as many dogs in shelters, rescues and on petfinder! They take work, money, patience and MORE work...





''any suggestions to calm my nerves?''





When in doubt, DON'T.





Research the breed you are interested in, visit breeders, go to shows, talk to breeders, see the dogs, pups and KNOW the pros and cons of the breed you want.





Know that





Huskies ARE stubborn and will NOT listen to you..





Beagles take them where their nose leads..





ALL dogs SHED, some worse then others





Poodles require grooming every 6-8 weeks





Any kind of 'doodle' mix is just a 'mix' and NOT a designer dog





St Bernards and Newfs DO drool and fling it everywhere...





''Is there anyone with a positive experience with a puppy?''





Of course!!





When, after a couple of weeks working on housebreaking the pup 'gets' it..


When you see how much they trust/love you because you have been patient and kind to them when they have an accident in the house, knock over their food dish or get into the garbage can because you realize that they are just learning what they should and should not do.








LOTS of positive things in getting a pup! You just need to find the right breed for YOU!
look honey their is nothing to be afraid of no matter what a nightmare ur pup is gonna be it can never measure up to the position it places in ur heart! i have experienced times with puppies almost every single day and the only thing they ever cry about is being away from u! they maybe mischef makers but only to the things u alow them to be soo never give up because under all of it they dont do it to u they do it for you to show their luv, i dont expect u to get what i mean but u will no once u have him in ur arms he makes the mess because he is bored or feeling left out but when all attention goes to him from u he truely is a sweet heart, anyway their r many ways to train a pup and many reasons y! i have felt like it was the end of the world because my pup didnt no how to potty train propable but i never gave up and neither did she soo now she is better than her mum and dad! trust me u will never have second thoughts about him/her. by the sounds of it he wont towards u either! good luck and if u need any more info im ur girl lol





hope i helped!(=
The first few weeks, they are a slight pain, though are ADORABLE.


My dog [genius dog that he is =D] I managed to potty train within a week. He had a few accidents in the month following, but it's all good now. He always waits to be let out.





You can't be a pushover and let the dogs do whatever they want. As soon as you get home, you have to set the boundaries. For example, my dog isn't allowed anywhere with carpet [he's a Golden Retriever and sheds the motherlode]. As soon as we brought him home, we would reprimand him if he tried to surpass his boundaries.





Puppies are cute, fluffy, and great. You're just seeing the chaos they cause when they aren't properly trained, starting immediately.





They are bundles of joy and love. And they'll be even better once fully trained and obedient. Really. I love my dog. =D
Everyone with a new puppy has moments when they think ';ugh the dog is driving me crazy'; but we get over it and love the little guy.


I got my first puppy when I was 7 and have many many dogs since. Raising a puppy and having a dog that gives you unconditional love is the best feeling in the world.


You will be giving a dog a wonderful life and you will will get that back a thousand times over.


Do your research as to what dog is best for your lifestyle, research raising a puppy, don't expect the perfect dog, don't be frustrated with a few training setbacks and do the best you can.





You will never regret having a dog
Every puppy has a different personality. If you pay close attention to your pup, you will know what little quirks it has and be able to solve them with a little training. The rest is love and snuggles. It is easy to train and raise one at a time. I took on the task of raising four pups at once..now that is a trial of compassion in the least. You will do fine if you read up on training guidelines and always remember that the pup sees you as their world and relies on you for guidance, just like a child. Good Luck
everyone always makes a big deal with getting puppies, i have 6 chihuahuas, and each have different personalities. i also have 2 horses, and ive had many other pets. it all takes time, patience, and love. let them know that youre the boss when they're young, and socialize them. i love having dogs, especially when getting a new puppy. its one of the best feelings ever! you have to be up to it, and take the time to love it and train it. everything should be ok, everyone has their good stories and bad. hopefully you get to tell the good story! good luck(:
Like you, I am an adult. I am 33 years old. I always want a dog since I was 6 or 7. Finally I am in a stage in my life that I can give unconditional love and time to a dog, so I get a giant breed (Newfoundland)..ha ha, I guess I want the biggest because I have been waiting for so long.





Dogs are Just like children, there are moments of joy and there are moments of headaches....but definitely there will be more joy. Just imagine you wake up in the morning and you have this giant head lying on top on your chest...or you are in a park and suddenly your dog comes to give you a kiss on your lip, you still kiss him even you know he licked his penis an hour ago.





Be honest with you, the headache part is first more on housetraining...and once in a while diarrhea (puppy has sensitive tummy)..but just like other people said, as long as you are patient and be consistent. Most dogs will be pretty much 80% trained in few weeks. Then as their bladders have more and more control, it will eventually get into the 99.9% range. For example, for the first two weeks I got BonBon (my dog), I had the worst dark circles in my life. He was not a good sleeper, so he pretty much woke up few times a night. And because I did not want him to have accident inside his crate, I still took him out even it's 2am in the morning. But after few weeks, he was able to sleep thru the whole night. He is 7 mths old now. And I think around 5 mths time, he was able to sleep from 10pm all the way till 7/7:30 without needing to go washroom.





Then the next headache will be the teenager stage around the 6 mths old stage. He is bigger and starts challenging you more. You just have to get a professional to work with you, especially first time owner. You can't do it by simply reading some books. The key thing is teaching him who is the boss, leave it means leave it (if not, time out), no jump means no jump (if not, time out). At that stage, you can't be softhearted. You can't make the dog scared of you, but you need to give discipline. They are just like children. They need love but they also need to understand house rules. When you pass thru tis stage, you will have a perfect dog.
It's okay to be anxious about your first puppy. I know it seems like it's going to be a lot of work, but relax! Having a pet dog isn't as difficult as you're thinking. It's actually really easy and rewarding to you when you put your focus on it, and you're going to have a wonderful experience with it!





The thing is though that having a pet takes time, commitment, and patience like with having any pet, especially a puppy. Puppies require discipline and training so that they don't chew up things around the house, or get into other mischief that they shouldn't be in. You have to be sure that you have the mindset and are ready to handle training your puppy the way you want it to be trained and listen to you, or else it's going to be a difficult time for you to relate to your dog and vice versa. I have to admit that puppies mostly get into everything, so be prepared for puppies to be super curious about what's around the house and yard. They can get into things quite easily.





There's plenty of training books available at pet stores like Petsmart and PetCo, and even your local library and tons of stuff that's on the internet. If you feel a little doubtful about your training skills, if you have the money there are training obedience classes at Petsmart you can sign up for so that you won't feel as doubtful about training your puppy the right way.





Don't pay attention to other people on here who say its a nightmare to train their dogs. The people who say that are people who haven't taken the step to properly train their dogs/puppies and understand the consequences of their dog's actions. Dogs are dogs, they're going to get into things and chew things up, it's what they like to do, so unless you don't go through proper training, then dogs are going to become little nightmares around the house!





You can do it though, like I said it's not a hard thing at all if you keep committed and train your first puppy well. You're going to have so much fun with it and watching it grow and learn! I had a blast raising my pit/lab mix who was notorious with chewing everything in sight, but we trained her and she's the most wonderful dog ever! You're going to have your frustrated days with training and discipline, but trust me, it's going to be worth it in the end. :)





Best of luck!
If you aren't sure that you are ready for a puppy, then try fostering one for a shelter or rescue. That way you get the experience of having a puppy and support of people who know all about them without the commitment if you decide it's not for you. Not everyone has the time or patience for puppies, so it's an excellent way to find out. Go to petfinder.com to find shelters/rescues near you. Everyone loves puppies, but I've fostered enough that I know that's my next dog will be an adult. Good luck!