Adopting a dog.... Dog owners read - need suggestions

[pigletto]

We don't believe in crating, & if the dog you're adopting is accustomed to being gated in a room, I wouldn't traumatize her with a crate. As far as potty training goes, just keep taking her out for walks so she gets used to doing her business outside rather than inside of your home. If the poor thing came from a puppy mill, she most likely hasn't been trained to go outside to do her business. The good news is with patience you can train her! Also, we adopted a dog who had TERRIBLE separation anxiety. A trainer friend gave us a tip, and it actually worked! Place a couple items of your dirty clothing (so your scent is on them) on her bed & leave a few treats around on the floor for her to find whenever you leave. We couldn't believe a solution could be this simple, but it really was. Congrats on your new fur baby - adoption is the way to go!

I don't want to derail this thread with a huge debate, but I will suggest to the OP that she do her own research on crate training and what it actually means and the benefits and drawbacks. To characterize it as traumatizing isn't representative of how I have carefully and lovingly researched and trained what's best for my dog.

Bottom line OP, you have to do a ton of research and go on the personality and individual circumstances of the dog you are working with. I started on a board that was specifically for the breed I was adopting and went from there. Those people were trainers, owners, registered breeders, rescuers and everything in between and the advice I got from those forums was invaluable! It really gave us the best start possible and questions to ask our vet and answers to food and training concerns. It would be a great place to start. Good Luck to you!

 

[hsmamato2]

I have a Bichon and a Havanese. The Havanese gets Kirkland food. It's a 4-star dog food and a bag lasts forever with a little dog.

And congratulations in advance and good luck getting the dog settled in!

my small dogs LOVE the Kirkland little bites food, it seems about= to Purina One dog food...when I tried to switch they stopped eating! and it's only about 14 bucks for a big bag

 

[hsmamato2]

.....and my dogs have always been crate trained...and they are just fine,in fact they love their crates- even when they're wide open...it's their 'cave', their safety spot,and it's the ONE place my 'adopted as a stray off the street adult poodle' WON'T make a potty mistake when I'm not at home...hence, when we aren't home,poodle is crated.

 

[ellie05]

Every dog is different and you would have to see what works for you. We have 3 rescue dogs. One uses the crate the other two don't.

We feed ours only natural pet. Enjoy your new fur baby.

 

[edk35]

We have three mini doxies. We just rescued another one two weeks ago today. We rescued the 2nd one last June. All 3 of ours eat Blue Buffalo. Max is the one we got 2 weeks ago. Since I am home for a bit longer (I work at a school) it has been a nice transition period to get him used to going outside to do his business. He is between 1 and 2 according to rescue but he has a lot of puppy stage still in him. We take him out OFTEN because he did have a few accidents the first few days. I go back to work in a little over a week and I hope we don't come home to messes. Our pups are usually left from 8:00 until 2:30 or 3:30. He makes it over night with no accidents so I am hoping for the best.

 

[Dinohood]

crate train is a good idea like someone said it is their safe place and helps with house breaking because dogs will not go where they sleep. Has for food all pets are different my dog and cat are on grain free food. Check out pet feed stores they some times have better prices then petco or petsmart or a buy 10 bags get 11 bag free at lest with the brand of cat food i buy they do.

 

[keahgirl8]

I don't want to derail this thread with a huge debate, but I will suggest to the OP that she do her own research on crate training and what it actually means and the benefits and drawbacks. To characterize it as traumatizing isn't representative of how I have carefully and lovingly researched and trained what's best for my dog.

Bottom line OP, you have to do a ton of research and go on the personality and individual circumstances of the dog you are working with. I started on a board that was specifically for the breed I was adopting and went from there. Those people were trainers, owners, registered breeders, rescuers and everything in between and the advice I got from those forums was invaluable! It really gave us the best start possible and questions to ask our vet and answers to food and training concerns. It would be a great place to start. Good Luck to you!

Agreed. My first dog didn't have a crate, never had an accident, and never got into anything. My current dog loves her crate, she feels safe it in it, and rarely has an accident in it. Also, if you do decide to crate train, it takes time. If they don't like it at first, don't give up. It can take a little while for them to get used to it.

 

[dclpluto]

Don't feed your dog cheap dog food. You can really tell the difference in better dog food. I feed my 2 dogs purina one smart blend true instinct for the one and the other one purina one smart blend large breed puppy formula. I will sacrifice the quality of food that I eat and I do in this economy so they can eat better. They are only here for a Short time.

 

[Terapin]

I would just caution that the dog may never be fully house trained or reliable. 6 years of not being trained will be hard to undo. Some dogs will adapt, but some will not. As long as this isn't a deal breaker for you. Just go into it knowing this may be the case.

Unrelated to this issue, and apart from elder or sick dogs, I don't understand why people plan to use wee pads long term? Does it not gross you out to constantly have dog pee (and in some cases) poop in public areas (or bathrooms) of your house? And isn't that a lot of garbage over the years of plastic, and expense? Why not just fully potty train?

 

[lisaross]

I would just caution that the dog may never be fully house trained or reliable. 6 years of not being trained will be hard to undo. Some dogs will adapt, but some will not. As long as this isn't a deal breaker for you. Just go into it knowing this may be the case.

Unrelated to this issue, and apart from elder or sick dogs, I don't understand why people plan to use wee pads long term? Does it not gross you out to constantly have dog pee (and in some cases) poop in public areas (or bathrooms) of your house? And isn't that a lot of garbage over the years of plastic, and expense? Why not just fully potty train?

I think because some people work long hours and don't want the dog to have to hold it that long. Some love in apartments and it's not as easy to walk. Some live in houses with no backyard and if they live in the north with really bad weather....lots of reasons - maybe the owner has disabilities etc.

Not being able to fully train the dog will not be a deal breaker, but honestly I would not be happy about it. That is why I will try pads and outside training and see which she likes better. Obviously if she is not trained she cannot have free roam of my house when we are not home - that would be having pee/poop all over -

 

[ceecee]

It's raining here now and my youngest is hiding in her crate, it's open and she can come and go (we have the cover over it), the oldest hides in the walk in closet. They need a "safe" place and for some it's a crate. I certainly don't think they should be locked in for hours but they do sometimes need a place to go.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

hi!

My family might be adopting a dog in a few weeks. We had a mini poodle for 15 years - he passed away in 2012 so it's been a few years that we have been pet less.

Our friends are fostering a Maltese - believe she came from a puppy mill. She is 6 years old and was just checked out from the vet yesterday and seems health and our friends picked her up yesterday.

We are hoping to go adopt her in 3 weeks as they are 7 hours away. They are trying to get her paper trained as I'm thinking that might be best so at our house she will be walked but have the option of a wee wee pad if we are not home or in the cold snowy winter. Our other dog we just walked but we also had him from a young age so we will see how it goes I guess.

Food, what brand of food do you recommend that is healthy but won't break the bank? I can't remember what we use to feed our dog Ernie.

The dog seems playful they said!

Those who adopted an adult dog any other useful tips? I will either crate train at the beginning or gate her in the kitchen.

We feed all 4 dogs the same stuff. (oiy, only one is mine, the other 3 are my DD's, who is staying with us until January) One standard Schnauzer mix, one Corgi/Pom, one Corgi mix, and one unknown mix.

http://nutrish.rachaelray.com/dog/dry-food/just-6-lamb-and-brown-rice

One of her dogs is allergic to wheat and soy, and so I don't have to fight keeping her from the other dogs food, they are all on this. I'd have them on an all meat type diet, but the brand I prefer is too expensive for 4 dogs (Blue Buffalo).
They get fresh carrot bits (well, DD's dogs do, mine won't eat it) for treats. also, her dogs love ice cubes. We have Kongs for them, and they love to have frozen peanut butter (I grind unsalted peanuts in my food processor) mixed with chopped carrots inside them; and they only get them when home alone.


No crating here, but they all have their safe spots to hide. Under the computer desk seems to be a popular place, as well as under either my bed or DD's. DD's dogs sleep in her room at night; they have a dog bed there. Our dog sleeps with our son.

 

[keahgirl8]

I would just caution that the dog may never be fully house trained or reliable. 6 years of not being trained will be hard to undo. Some dogs will adapt, but some will not. As long as this isn't a deal breaker for you. Just go into it knowing this may be the case.

True. My dog is 99% house trained, but sometimes she will inexplicably pee in the house when I am home. No barking, no warning.

 

[tzolkin]

I think because some people work long hours and don't want the dog to have to hold it that long. Some love in apartments and it's not as easy to walk. Some live in houses with no backyard and if they live in the north with really bad weather....lots of reasons - maybe the owner has disabilities etc.

Not being able to fully train the dog will not be a deal breaker, but honestly I would not be happy about it. That is why I will try pads and outside training and see which she likes better. Obviously if she is not trained she cannot have free roam of my house when we are not home - that would be having pee/poop all over -

The problem with this is that allowing/encouraging the dog to go to the bathroom inside (on pee pads) makes the whole process of house training much more difficult. It's much easier for the dog to understand if there is a clear spot that she is supposed to go (like, outside only). A new dog may not understand the concept of "inside, but only on the pad", they're going to generalize that to "inside the house is allowed".

I understand the reasons you mentioned for wanting to use them, but I think using two methods is confusing for the dog. Being consistent is probably the most important part of any aspect of training.

 

[louey]

Thanks for the replies, I will probably try the Kirkland! My friends don't have her in a crate they were gating her in a room - says she goes on the pad, but also on floor - problem is they have another dog that sometimes has accidents so she prob smells it too. I will be more strict when I get her, and try to have one of us on top of her for the first week so she will hopefully get it that she goes either on pad or when we walk her!

I will buy the food before we go get her as we are staying with our friends for two nights so we can start mixing the food.

I adopted a Cavalier King Charles 10 years ago she was two at the time she came from a puppy mill in Arkansas. A rescue from Nebraska HUA rescued her and I saw her online, I started out sending money and being her buddy but that didn't last long. I had to bring her home, she was completey vetted and I had her flown to me. Puppy mill dogs never get out of their cages, do not have toys, dog bed etc.... You have to teach them everything but most of all show them love and affection. Our girl to this day never stops wagging her tail, kudos to you for rescuing
Best of luck
As far as food goes I would also maybe ask your vet for recommendations. We feed pro plan for sensitive stomach.

 

[lisaross]

I purchased the Kirkland natures domain dog food. The salmon flavor - I did not see the small bites in any of the Kirkland food. This is grain free - they also have chicken flavor. Wondering if I should buy both and do one for morning feed and one for dinner so she does not get bored. Or should I wait till I finish a bag and switch off - what do you do with flavors?

 

[keahgirl8]

I purchased the Kirkland natures domain dog food. The salmon flavor - I did not see the small bites in any of the Kirkland food. This is grain free - they also have chicken flavor. Wondering if I should buy both and do one for morning feed and one for dinner so she does not get bored. Or should I wait till I finish a bag and switch off - what do you do with flavors?

There's really no need to switch flavors unless she doesn't like it. My dog didn't like dry food at first, so she gets the beef roll and carrots cut up with it. Now she eats every bite of all of it.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We feed our shelties Blue Buffalo. We also crate train, although now that they are older, they don't use the crates anymore unless they want to sleep in them (door open). There is no way I would use the puppy pads, that teaches them that it is okay to go in the house, and I don't want to deal with that.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think because some people work long hours and don't want the dog to have to hold it that long. Some love in apartments and it's not as easy to walk. Some live in houses with no backyard and if they live in the north with really bad weather....lots of reasons - maybe the owner has disabilities etc.

Not being able to fully train the dog will not be a deal breaker, but honestly I would not be happy about it. That is why I will try pads and outside training and see which she likes better. Obviously if she is not trained she cannot have free roam of my house when we are not home - that would be having pee/poop all over -

You should really try to pick one and stick with it. This is confusing to an already-traumatized dog who's going to at least her third home now. Be clear about expectations yourself and work toward them. Offer praise when she does the right thing. Set her up for success and build on it.

It would be helpful to know what conditions were where she came from and whether she's used to, and likes, a crate, or not. Some dogs from puppy mills may never have come out of a cage. So saying absolutely yes or absolutely no without taking her whole picture into consideration doesn't make a lot of sense. Not all dogs like crates. Some do, some don't. There is a good book called "Second Hand Dog" that discusses some of these types of considerations for dogs with special needs.

Oh, and don't baby or coddle her because she came from a puppy mill or had a sad past. Treat her like the dog that she is; respect who she is and what she can become with love and good care.

 

[lisaross]

We don't know the conditions she came from. They say she does not act like a typical puppy mill dog so maybe she was in a house - she comes from Ohio I think the Amish. She did pee right away on the pad - but not poop, now they trained her in 1 day to poop on pad as well- so she seems pretty smart. I will wait and see how she reacts when she gets here tonight - we are so excited.

You should really try to pick one and stick with it. This is confusing to an already-traumatized dog who's going to at least her third home now. Be clear about expectations yourself and work toward them. Offer praise when she does the right thing. Set her up for success and build on it.

It would be helpful to know what conditions were where she came from and whether she's used to, and likes, a crate, or not. Some dogs from puppy mills may never have come out of a cage. So saying absolutely yes or absolutely no without taking her whole picture into consideration doesn't make a lot of sense. Not all dogs like crates. Some do, some don't. There is a good book called "Second Hand Dog" that discusses some of these types of considerations for dogs with special needs.

Oh, and don't baby or coddle her because she came from a puppy mill or had a sad past. Treat her like the dog that she is; respect who she is and what she can become with love and good care.