When you were first a new owner....

did you read up about getting, training and socialising a puppy before you got your first little one.

I'm amazed at some of the threads (not on here) from new dogs owners and wondered how many people on here, when they first got a dog, got lots of advice before they got their dog.

I suppose this is just a bit of a rant - but some of the classics recently have been....

- my 8 week old puppy keeps biting me is this normal? I'm afraid she is being dominant!

- help - how do i stop my new puppy from peeing in the house

- does my 6 month old stafford pup need more exercise, i throw the ball around in the garden for 15 minutes each day but he still seems full of energy!

- Help my four month old puppy's teeth are falling out - is this normal.

Now i know everyone needs advice, so i am not critising that, but some of the questions asked are so very veyr basic that i don't know whether to laugh or worry that these poor pups are with someone who doesn't seem to know the first thing about dogs!

I know we all have to start somewere but i'm sure people wouldn't consider leaping into a car and trying to drive it without some advice first so why is it ok to take on the responsibility of a baby animal without finding out what you will need to do to take care of it.

I don't know why it riles me so much, maybe because i have taught adolescent classes and worked in rescue centres where lots of these little pups end up once they are young adults and still untrained.

I think the advice given on dogsey is so much more positive than on other sites and sometimes i cringe at the advice given, particularly on breed specific websites, claiming that this particular breed will never be able to do such and such, and you need to start dominating your pup right now so it doesn't get out of control etc etc

I got my first dog when I was 24 - she was rehomed so not a puppy. No, I didn`t research it - I`d always loved dogs and suppose had absorbed knowledge as I went along - and the dog taught me the rest! I actually think there is more information now - but some conflicting, and some I certainly would not agree with. I don`t blame people for being confused. It`s probably down to the fact that people now largely grow up with very little contact with animals (I took a group of teenagers to a city farm and the reaction of terror and fascination faced with friendly animals was astonishing).

its such a shame isn't it. I think animals can teach people so much!

I suppose like you i absorbed a lot of info as a child, but the way i train is different in a lot of ways to how my parents did it.

I can understand the confusion - but not knowing that your puppy will teeth and mouth you, isn't that a very basic piece of information?

I got my first dog when I still stayed with my parents. We always had dogs and it never even occurred to me to read up on getting a dog. Luckily it worked out well and I ended up with a great, well behaved dog.
It was totally different before we got Beau, I read everything I could get my hands on.
I have found that a lot of peoples attitude is, its only a dog whats the big deal.

i had always been brought up with dogs so i suppose i learnt a lot from that but when we decided to get a dog, we looked inot general info on types of breeds that would be suitable..ie energy requirements, temperament and then went to the RSPCA knowing waht dogs we would be able to accomodate and which ones we wouldnt....

Well I am still a new owner
Bens my 1st dog and I never had a dog growing up
But I was the kid who know the names of every dog in the street and I learnt lots from total strangers who had dogs and took the time to teach a kid how to approach a dog and stuff
I always wanted a collie so when I was really thinking about getting a dog I spent over a year on forums and stuff recearching the breed and training and stuff
Went to dogs trust but they decided I did not have to experience for an adult collie and so gave me a collie cross pup
Lots of hard work but Ben is so the right dog for me

Yes I do think it is a shame that kids dont know much about animals, in the street I see many kids who want to say hello to Ben, most times the parents stop them or just let them - not often at all do they get the kids to ask if its OK to run up to the dog
and the other 1/2 of kids I meet are terrified of dogs, scream and cringe when Ben walks past (with a puzzled look on his face but not going anywhere near the kid)

Our first dog wasn't a planned arrival. I was thinking about a dog but not sure which breed etc. when someone at work suggested an Irish setter. I wasn't sure but she knew of one that needed a home so took us 'to look'. Well as soon as we got in the woman said she was so glad we'd turned up because he was to be PTS the next day. A beautiful 9 month setter We learned fast but it was hard work. Not a way I'd recommend.

It's not something we do but there are some vet practices that have started to run 'pre-puppy' classes. They're designed to be similar to antenatal classes for parents-to-be, giving owners advice on caring for a puppy before they bring him/her home.

Hi Catrin

Hi Catrin, no I didn't . My first puppy Bunny was a surprise gift , dog books were few in those days, computers unheard of. But I did have the advantage of living and working with a kennel manage/trainers and a professional handler in a show kennel with dozens of dogs (in the days when people could afford big kennels and a large staff to go with them ) so I got lots of advice.

There had also been family dogs in my life to watch and learn from and I spent part of my childhood in the home of my farmer uncle, the kindest of men who had the philosophy that all animals should be treated with respect and gentleness even those who were destined for a short life before entering the food chain. This I think is a good philosphy for all animal owners.



After 45 years of working with and now just owning one dog I am still learning and each new puppy is a learning experience.

I am not surprised by the questions people ask, I guess for someone getting a puppy for the first time it just doesn't occur to them that puppies are such hard work.
A good breeder ( or rescue) will I hope make this fact very clear to any first time owner. New owners these days also have the advantage of books and informative sites like Dogsey

no i didnt

i was nine....

with millie yes i did - i knew the temprament etc of collies - which is what i wanted - then ended upw tih a springer x which i know nothing about spriners (do now)




someone i know has just got their first dog,,,, works full time - - - border collie,,,, my heart justs topped when i found out,,,, house shall be trashed very soon - such a shame,,,