Author Topic: Puppies! How do you know you have chosen the right dog? (Read 408 times)

jbybj · « **on:** August 17, 2008, 09:28:01 PM »

Friday afternoon my wife and I brought home two 11 week old puppies, brother and sister, Frankie and Emma. They are mutts, Australian shepherd and Border Collie, so they tell us. All of my basses (10) live out on stands in the house. They are part of the furnishings as well as available for play anytime. In preparation for the puppies I put away as many as I had cases or gigbags for. That left my 5 string Hohner, and two Wishbasses out and vulnerable. Being pups they don't yet have free run of the house, til they are trained, but when they have passed by the basses, they don't seem too interested, yet. These are the first dogs for our family and they are awesome; smart, loving, playful, (thank god they have each other) and confident, (not yippers). So how do I know we chose the right dogs? Friday night, their first night in our home, they fell asleep to the sound of a fretless Wishbass as I wandered around my personal repertoire of silly melodies and bass licks. I was a proud papa.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2008, 09:42:23 PM »

Puppy dogs!

speicky · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2008, 12:15:14 AM »

James,

what a nice picture of two lovely family members, congratulations ! From your report, I would expect you have indeed chosen the right dogs for your place. But you'll never know before...

I am a proud guardian of a Shiba-Inu girlie, since our Collie passed away in March last year. She entered into our family in November, and I discovered that she is more addicted to my six-string-acoustic guitar than to basses

Anyway, it's probably a good idea to store your stuff away, when they get bigger and grow up and run through the house, there might be a chance that they damage your equipment accidently.

Have fun, proud papa, all the best to you and your family,

Christian

keavin · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2008, 06:06:33 AM »

Be careful they might piss on your pickups!

phylo · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2008, 11:13:20 AM »

I have a 13 year old Husky/Lab/Border Collie and a 8 year old Malamute/Golden/Samoyed.

They both love Australian shepards for some reason. An Aussie/Border puppy is an amazing combo. I might even look for one myself when the time comes.

Couple of things:

You will need to run the heck out of them - few miles a day and regular hikes, etc.

They are extremely smart and will need mental stimulation as well.

Spend the $ on good food. It will more than pay for itself. I like Orijen.

If you spend the time training these guys you will likely have great companions.

Good luck.

glocke · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2008, 11:26:49 AM »

cute puppies...are you crate training them?

Im looking for a puppy, been thinking of a weimaraner, but Im at work 8-9 hours a day so Im not sure how well that would work out.

jbybj · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2008, 03:31:57 PM »

You will need to run the heck out of them - few miles a day and regular hikes, etc.

That's why, against our initial instincts, we decided to get both, they run themselves ragged. About 90% of the energy they expend is at each other. I expect these pups to be far superior to the gym for weight management.

They are extremely smart and will need mental stimulation as well.

Their intelligence was obvious when we first met them. I live in L.A. so I'm sure they will have an agent soon..... ;-)

Spend the $ on good food. It will more than pay for itself. I like Orijen.

There seem to be many choices for good health foods for dogs. I was sold on spending more on good food when I was informed that the better the food (less filler) the less stool they produce.

If you spend the time training these guys you will likely have great companions.

Disobedience is not an option. Dogs that are out of control drive me nuts. While well trained dogs are phenomenal. We have lots of resources, friends, books, and classes that have been recommended. I look forward to the whole process.
And they are cute.......

cute puppies...are you crate training them?

Yes, for the nighttime sleep, they are crated, but beyond that we want to tire them out. Crate training for sleep worked really well on the crazy Retriever across the street.

They have been with us for two and a half days, and I have spent more time in the backyard than in the previous 6 months. My 13 year old daughter came home from camp yesterday to a big surprise!

Peace, James

57basstra · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2008, 07:00:59 PM »

bracheen · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2008, 08:40:54 AM »

Congratulations on the new additions to the family James. May you have many many years with them. Having lost two precious dogs last year and on this year I hope only the best for you. On a good note there is an adorable 4 month old Lhasa Apso who recently adopted us. In 12 years my wife and I have been without a dog for only 3 months.

Sam

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2008, 09:06:00 AM »

I was sold on spending more on good food when I was informed that the better the food (less filler) the less stool they produce.

I always fed my dogs Purina Dog Chow. When my current pal moved in with us, a friend (who owns a pet supply company) asked what I was feeding her. When I told him, he informed that was poison, and handed me a 2-inch stack of coupons for free 20 lb. bags of Iams. The coupons are long gone, but I've stuck with Iams. Not only is Sedona far healthier than any of her predecessors, the effect you mention is true as well - especially important since all three sons are out of the house & picking it up is left to me!

Peter

phylo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2008, 09:54:37 AM »

Sounds like you are off to a great start! Here is what happens when you mix a border with a wolf. While I don't necessarily agree with the practice of breeding wolf dogs, you get a hell of an adventure!

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #11 on:** August 20, 2008, 08:06:40 AM »

I always want a large dog that will protect our home and play well with family

flaxattack · « **Reply #12 on:** August 21, 2008, 11:28:37 AM »

i need to vent. my step daughter went out and got a husky after having success with her miniature pomeranian. the husky is a nightmare. its now 2 yrs old and for one thing it doesnt get enough excercise! a 3 minute walk doesnt do, annie tried walking it for 2 miles and the dog was exhausted. plus the dog is in a cage most of the day while they work. So far the dog attacked our irish setter and last week since we couldnt board the dogs, we took them down with us to see the kids. so this time it went after our jack mix rudi whom the husky used to play with all the time. this time it attacked the poor little sweet rudi. both times it attacked it went for the eyes.
rudy yelped and got a small puncture wound under and over her eye.
i love animals. we have 3 dogs and 2 cats. Bill has met bailey the setter.
this dog should be put down before it bites into a human. i dont necessarily blame the dog- huskys arent supposed to be the smartest dog around. i DO blame my step daughter for not listening to anyone when we said dont get another dog and having poor training skills.
thanks for the vent

glocke · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2008, 05:59:59 AM »

It has always been my understanding that huskies are diffucult dogs (very energetic, and not too bright), and are even more so if not trained or disciplined.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2008, 07:25:10 AM »

I once had a Huskie/Samoyed mix - 3rd dumbest dog I've ever known (beat out by a Samoyed/Shepard & my wife's late and unlamented nasty little pure-bred Minature Schnauzer).

Peter