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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
Name:
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Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
We are in the process of adopting a puppy from a shelter. Other than the usual advice (get leash, collar, bowls, etc.), anyone have any advice? It's our first dog and I'm a little nervous.
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Posted 6/5/13 1:07 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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oktropical
LIF Infant
Member since 6/10 219 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
Patience! lots of patience!  Just remember that everything is new to them and repetition is the key. I got my dog from NSAL when he was a puppy and it was alot of work but now that he is three I would totally do it all over again! Oh and take lots of pics when they are young. I look back now and wish I did. Also socialization - once he/she has all their shots, I would recommend a dog park or a doggie daycare where he/she can interact with other dogs. Congrats on your new edition!!! 
Also there are alot of helpful people on this board so any questions you have just ask
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| Posted 6/5/13 3:23 PM |
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AKD
LIF Adult
Member since 1/12 2637 total posts
Name:
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Re: Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
We adopted a puppy from North Shore almost 6 months ago - he's a lab/shepherd mix and we adore him beyond words. I've never had a dog before and same for my husband, but you learn along the way, and as long as you love them and take care of them, their love is always unconditional. And the best part is when you come home and their tails wag so much and they give you hugs and kisses.
A few things that really helped us in the beginning:
> Crate training - patience is key. If they bark, don't pay attention to them or take them out - otherwise, they will always bark in there. This also helped w/ the house training -- tons of things available online about best way to crate train.
> Researching the food you want to put them on and figuring out their overall diet - we ended up with Natural Balance and a bunch of different kinds of treats. Ours loves frozen peanut butter inside a Kong (love those toys especially if you're getting a bigger dog).
> I would recommend researching about the breed if you haven't yet. We knew that a lab needed to use up a lot of energy, so we worked into his schedule getting lots of exercise, and we also have a dog walker who comes once a day while we're at work to walk him for an hour and play with him.
> totally agreed with previous poster - take as many pics as possible!
> Get ready to just completely fall in love. Our pup has become part of our family and we can't get enough.
Enjoy it all!
Message edited 6/5/2013 3:37:16 PM.
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| Posted 6/5/13 3:35 PM |
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dctead
It's 5 o'clock somewhere!
Member since 11/10 2139 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
Posted by AKD
We adopted a puppy from North Shore almost 6 months ago - he's a lab/shepherd mix and we adore him beyond words. I've never had a dog before and same for my husband, but you learn along the way, and as long as you love them and take care of them, their love is always unconditional. And the best part is when you come home and their tails wag so much and they give you hugs and kisses.
A few things that really helped us in the beginning:
> Crate training - patience is key. If they bark, don't pay attention to them or take them out - otherwise, they will always bark in there. This also helped w/ the house training -- tons of things available online about best way to crate train.
> Researching the food you want to put them on and figuring out their overall diet - we ended up with Natural Balance and a bunch of different kinds of treats. Ours loves frozen peanut butter inside a Kong (love those toys especially if you're getting a bigger dog).
> I would recommend researching about the breed if you haven't yet. We knew that a lab needed to use up a lot of energy, so we worked into his schedule getting lots of exercise, and we also have a dog walker who comes once a day while we're at work to walk him for an hour and play with him.
> totally agreed with previous poster - take as many pics as possible!
> Get ready to just completely fall in love. Our pup has become part of our family and we can't get enough.
Enjoy it all!
Well said!!
We adopted our two from NSAL ... and they are the loves of our lives!
Patience, structure and love... best ways to train your new best friend!
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| Posted 6/6/13 9:28 AM |
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halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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Re: Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
Posted by AKD
We adopted a puppy from North Shore almost 6 months ago - he's a lab/shepherd mix and we adore him beyond words. I've never had a dog before and same for my husband, but you learn along the way, and as long as you love them and take care of them, their love is always unconditional. And the best part is when you come home and their tails wag so much and they give you hugs and kisses.
A few things that really helped us in the beginning:
> Crate training - patience is key. If they bark, don't pay attention to them or take them out - otherwise, they will always bark in there. This also helped w/ the house training -- tons of things available online about best way to crate train.
> Researching the food you want to put them on and figuring out their overall diet - we ended up with Natural Balance and a bunch of different kinds of treats. Ours loves frozen peanut butter inside a Kong (love those toys especially if you're getting a bigger dog).
> I would recommend researching about the breed if you haven't yet. We knew that a lab needed to use up a lot of energy, so we worked into his schedule getting lots of exercise, and we also have a dog walker who comes once a day while we're at work to walk him for an hour and play with him.
> totally agreed with previous poster - take as many pics as possible!
> Get ready to just completely fall in love. Our pup has become part of our family and we can't get enough.
Enjoy it all!
Couldn't agree more! I personally was going to suggest the same thing for crate training and researching the breed. I don't know where you are adopting from but many shelters have volunteers who are less than knowledgeable about breeds and temperments. A few years ago, North Shore Animal League adopted a German Shepherd/Chow Chow mix to a family of 5 including two small children. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about chows probably gasped at that. Both my brother and sister were bitten (on the face, scarily clsoe to their eyes!) before we found a rescue organization that would take her. North Shore point blank refused. I don't want to scare you or make you think badly about shelters, but since that experience we've taken it upon ourselves to be as knowledgeable as possible about breeds and behaviors and what would work for us and what won't. Since then, I've adopted a wonderful, beautiful collie mix from North Shore and will gladly go adopt from them again, using my own knowledge and not relying on theirs.
The other thing is crate training- boy was that a life saver! I always felt badly for crated dogs thinking that it was cruel to keep them confined, but I have changed my tune. My dog loves her crate- it's her room. She takes her toys and treats in there and naps in there all the time, even when the door is left open and she's free to come and go as she pleases. In fact, now that she's older, we don't crate her anymore, but still leave it up so she can access it. That's how much she likes it.
Anyway, good luck and enjoy. There is nothing, NOTHING in the world like bringing home a new puppy! I envy you! 
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| Posted 6/6/13 12:07 PM |
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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
Name:
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Re: Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
Great advice! Thanks so much.
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| Posted 6/6/13 3:16 PM |
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Jenhos
Maeve
Member since 6/05 3273 total posts
Name:
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Re: Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
Crating our new ouooy was the best thing we did. Helped with training her.
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| Posted 6/7/13 3:47 PM |
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Mushesgirl
Too blessed to be stressed
Member since 4/09 6691 total posts
Name:
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Re: Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
Bless you for saving a life
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| Posted 6/8/13 8:04 AM |
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Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
I agree with crate training! Also dogforum.net was a great resource for me. It's like LIF... Only all about dogs. And less drama!!!
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| Posted 6/12/13 7:42 PM |
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LI-Joy
Member since 10/07 2910 total posts
Name:
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Re: Adopting a Puppy (from Shelter)
You're wonderful people. I can't wait for the day I have a house and we can adopt a dog.
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| Posted 6/19/13 9:15 PM |
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