I think my wife and I are getting a dog...

[wienerdog]

My wife and I have been itching to get a dog for a long time, and it seems we may finally get one. This is my first actual dog I've adopted, and we're heading to a breeder where my in-laws got their dog tomorrow to meet him. He's a Yorkshire Terrier/Maltese mix. I've dog-sat my in-law's dog for weeks at a time and done pretty well with him, and I've watched The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic regularly.

Anything else I should know? Any chance we'll be solving mysteries together, other than where he hides his waste in my house while training? :)

I think we're naming him Pixel.

http://d795319.u41.acomhosting.com/images/Pup%20Finn.jpg

Apparently he's the last of his litter and a bit bigger than the usual size for his mix. Since most people like them very small, the breeder's price dropped a few hundred, and with those photos of him, my wife thought he looked sad. I think the breeder is a very savvy photographer. :)

We'll train him immediately with a cage his size (small enough that he's comfortable but with no room for use as a toilet). Then do the positive reinforcement when he's successful doing his thing outside, and say "NOOOO" when we catch him doing something bad.

From what I've read, if we don't catch him in the act, though, there's nothing you can do since they have no recollection that it was even theirs. It's the owner's responsibility to carefully watch the dog so as not to miss bad behavior.

[morea]

woo hoo! Better than a kid... no diapers. ;)

[D-Frag]

i was really hoping for a wiener dog, i mean how ironic would that be, but alas to my dismay......

[Craig B]

My wife and I recently got a dog and we were told to use the phrase "leave it" (said sharply) instead of "no" because it's more of a "barking sound" and "no" comes up in conversation. If they hear "leave it" they know you're talking to them ... eventually. And it worked well for us.

House training is not a lot of fun. Cage training is good, and then slowly expand the area to include a small caged off area of your house (preferably not carpeted) until you can work your way up to having more room ... and get them on a schedule. let them out at the same time every day ... um ... and when they're puppies definitely always let them out about 15 minutes after eating or drinking excessively.

That's all I got. Good luck.

[wienerdog]

i was really hoping for a wiener dog, i mean how ironic would that be, but alas to my dismay......

You want to know irony? I'm allergic to any dog that sheds. The reason we're getting this dog is he's a mix of dogs I'm not allergic to. I think I'd be allergic to Dachshunds.

[wienerdog]

I found this to be a very good article:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1548&articleid=157

[cornfed]

Instead of no, my brother in law shouted "business" to his dog. It was pretty funny to listen to him - "Business Maude." She would stop whatever she was doing!

[Drorain]

I usually train with will ferrels method...

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/01/01gdissing.phtml

[CamarotaDesign]

lol cornfed.

That puppy is too damn cute. Our land lady (who lives downstairs) has a dog that I believe is also a yorkshire/maltese mix, looks exactly like that picture. She is so cute it's unbearable, (yeah, I sure do sound like a girl there) but I still haven't lost my affection for picking her up and
giving her a hug and pet her. Whenever you pet her she immediately flops on her back and puts her paws up, its too much. Everyone who meets her for the first time wants to take her home.

Enjoy your puppy, wiener.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Congrats Weiner ;)

We are thinking of getting a dog too .. the girls are really wanting one .. I have no idea tho .. and it won't be a special breed .. it will be a pound baby ... the SPCA is where we always shop for new family members ;)

[jimking]

Maltese do not shed much at all. We've had Maltese'es in my family (parents) for 25 years. Intelligent breed to the point of uncanny, sometimes. Cute pup and a interesting mix.

[budafist]

If you shave a sausage dog would you still be allergic?

Pixel is a cute name!

[Tea]

Love the name. Dogs are great friends. Congratulations!

[wienerdog]

Doggie Ownership Journal, Day 2:
We finally did it! We added a dog to our family (we're a family of three :) )!

http://www.evanwiener.com/pixel-announcement.jpg

This little bugger is shy at first, but he's quickly grown accostumed to our house. He's a little whiny when he first gets put into a crate, but it's probably the most effective form of training.

My wife and I picked up him Saturday afternoon and we spent the last couple of days getting him used to things. I worked from home today and spent the day leaving him in his crate for a couple hours after a good long walk. He didn't mess the house once today, which surprised me (he did a couple times Sunday morning, but we learned what his behavior pattern is when he's looking to relieve himself).

Wish me luck (and lack of sleep!).

[budafist]

What a sweetie. He looks very soft and huggable.

[Lula]

awww how cute! have fun with your puppy! just remember, never ever give dogs milk chocolate.

[wienerdog]

We're considering getting pet insurance. Anyone else have it?

[morea]

the general consensus among cat owners I know is that it is not worth the expense. You'd probably be better off opening a small savings account for pet emergencies and depositing a little into it each week.

[Ben Kessler]

My family's dog Tillie passed away on Sunday. She was a cute, excitable bearded collie who gave my parents, my brothers, and myself a lot of joy. Her 14-year lifetime on earth was ended by an illness that proceeded with merciful speed. I know that somewhere she's got an infinite supply of treats and a limitless field to ramble in.

[morea]

sorry to hear that, Ben! Our family dog isn't doing very well these days either... he is about 15 years old, so it's not looking good for him. :(

Are you familiar with the story of the Rainbow Bridge?
(Author Unknown)

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

[Red Kittie Kat]

aww Ben I'm sorry to hear that ... I feel for you and the family. We have lost 2 of our cats over the last 4 months. One from old age, one from sickness.

(((Ben))) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/hugs.gif

[Ben Kessler]

Thanks, Morea and Kittie! It's a sad time for my family, but we'll always have our happy memories of Tillie...

[urstwile]

Aww, I'm sorry to hear that, Ben. :(

[Red Kittie Kat]

Thanks, Morea and Kittie! It's a sad time for my family, but we'll always have our happy memories of Tillie...


That's right ... I guess thats why I take so many pictures of them ... always have something to look back on :)

[wienerdog]

It's always tough losing a pet. It's amazing how quickly they become a member of the family. I hope my wife and I are given many many years with our new furry friend. :)