Comments on: A New Family Member?

By: Links Back to the Week That Was 7/6

Links Back to the Week That Was 7/6 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:22:39 +0000

[...] own and a yard to run around and play in. Hubby wrote about him in his own personal blog here and [...]

By: Ben Lloyd

Ben Lloyd — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:24:27 +0000

Matt - get the dog, you’ll love it. Getting Hank (our dog) was among the best things I’ve ever done. how can you not love this? http://www.flickr.com/photos/benjaminlloyd/2525196531/in/set-72157594346146312/

My only advice (as others have said) - dedicate the time up front to training and get the whole family on the same page so the dog gets consistent commands, input, feedback etc. You’ll all be happier in the long run.

congratulations!

By: Cari McGee

Cari McGee — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:22:35 +0000

NO ‘have a feeling’ about it. We’re getting this puppy!

By: David Mihm

David Mihm — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:23:13 +0000

Dude, that is one of the cutest dogs I have EVER seen. And I have seen a lot of cute dogs. I’d say if your daughter has come around, you shouldn’t have any reservations.

By: Todd Mintz

Todd Mintz — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:37:48 +0000

Try to deny your family the dog…I dare you:.)

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:11:52 +0000

training is definitely the most important thing you can do to be happy with your dog. and by all means, if it isn’t working out, find him a better home - you’ll all be happier and it’ll be best for the pup

i think the difficult thing for a lot of people to conceptualize is that getting a dog (or most pets, really) is that you’re talking about a 10 year commitment to raise another family member, and sometimes even longer! for example, we have neighbors who get excited, get a pet and then after a month or so they get tired of it - and leave it free to roam the neighborhood (this usually means aggressive, poorly trained dogs, but has even included rabbits).

he is reaaaally cute… good luck!

By: Stacie C Morris

Stacie C Morris — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:50:52 +0000

I’m in love with him. It’s amazing how people treat dogs so badly. You have great concerns - will the dog get along with your family, house, neighbors, etc. Good luck and I hope that it woks out.

I’ll second the training method and consistent voice. There can only be one master and hopefully, it isn’t the dog.

By: Phil R

Phil R — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:12:13 +0000

Lots of questions indeed!

When I got Sierra there were way more questions than I could answer… for about a month I wasn’t even sure I should keep her.

The biggest issue you will experience is that the dog will be receiving inconsistent feedback. Might do one thing with one family member, and get one feedback, does it with another, and get another. They will adapt, but for instruction and feedback for training- it must be consistent.

Good luck buddy. I highly recommend the crating method if you can. It is not a bad thing for dogs if done right.