The DOG thread

[CurtEgerer]

Here's Pete. He's getting used to the good life inside a house. Only took a couple of days to potty train him! On his own after being scolded a few times, he started laying by the door when he needs to go out. He is a chewer though and we've got to constantly keep an eye on him - shoes, wall trim, furniture, books - it's all fair game for him. Currently crate-training him so we can leave him at the house. We also found out he does, indeed, know how to bark. And it's loud. There's a Great Dane in the neighborhood and the guy walks it while riding his bike - this sets off Pete for some reason. Nothing else bothers him.

[porsche tech]

Pete is a cutie! I recommend Off Leash Training. That’s what we did with our doodle. Electric collar that is the slightest little buzz when he won’t pay attention. We live on a golf course with a large lagoon across the fairway from us. Alligators there so we HAD to know he would come when called. He also does “place”, will heel and stay. Any time I walk across the room, if he follows me, he always comes around to my left side and walks next to me (even when I don’t say anything to him). Good news is once he got it figured out (which was VERY quickly) almost never have to use the shock feature. Best money we ever spent on him.

[Skytrooper]

Pete is a damn fine looking pup ! I am glad that you found each other !

[masraum]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

It looks like my wife and I are adopting another dog This dog wandered into the neighborhood out of the orange groves 4 weeks ago. Completely emaciated, severely matted, flea-infested and on death's door. I wonder to this day how he survived the bobcats, panthers, bears, snakes, gators and other predators around here! He spent 3 nights at the vet. They estimated he is 7 months old. 4 weeks later? He's coming along very nicely. And he's the most even-tempered, friendly, laid back dog one would ever meet

I scanned him with my dog scanner app and these were the results (the scanner has been fairly close to DNA tests in the past). Check out the AKC pic of the Rafeiro du Alentejo - it looks just like him. A Portuguese farm/ranch dog. He has very narrow hips which seems to indicate he's got some sort of running dog in him and that is probably the Borzoi. We were guessing he had some Whippet in him. We've named him Pete

It sounds like Pete had been looking for you guys. I'm glad that you found each other.

Dude, if Pete's a mix of those dogs, he's going to be HUGE. All of the dogs that you listed are 75-180# dogs.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Here's Pete.-snip-

Damn, Curt........bless you and your better half for giving Pete a life well loved.....

[john70t]

13 years old and slowing down but his busted teeth go through steel cans.
(I'm gonna have to stop giving him them)

[john70t]

A dog-to-human speech translator is quite possible.

Trying to think of all the different barks there are:
1). Ooh something's happening and I'm all excited because of it. [crazy eyes and random movement]
2). Hey you, this is my turf/person so you should just leave now.
3). Hey you, come and play with me now.
4). Get your lazy butt up because I want something: food, go outside, bored.
5). There's an emergency. Billy fell in the well. Follow me.
6). Squirrel there. Right there. Tasty juicy squirrel. For us to hunt.

[Baz]

Kelpies!

[CurtEgerer]

Pete has made himself at home He and our 12 year old Mini Schnauzer Dante have become best friends. Fascinating to watch and completely surprising. Dante is not one to play with other dogs at all. But he's made it his mission to show Pete the ropes and generally won't leave him alone. Pete is 3x his size.

We got him neutered last week and the tech at the vet asked if i wanted to see pics of him the day he was brought in (I never saw him until a week and 1/2 later). I really wish I hadn't seen it. It was a vid. They had just finished shaving him down. He looked just like a POW in the concentration camps with his ribs sticking out. He couldn't stand for more than a few seconds and would just fall over. His legs were like toothpicks. He weighed 18 pounds, literally skin and bones. Sickening that someone would allow that to happen.

[Tobra]

Dante knows a puppy when he sees one. He saw that one looking like it was maybe going to die. He will probably look at Pete the way you would at a half starved kid you adopted

According to the vet, Staffie we have now was probably not going to make it when we got him, anemic and all the intestinal parasites. Went from 50 to 95 pounds, got him at a year old

[Baz]

Bless you all for giving these wonderful souls a life well-loved.

No better cause on the planet.....and these are the best posts on this forum, hands down!

Please keep the good stories coming.....they make my day like you wouldn't believe.......

[CurtEgerer]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Dante knows a puppy when he sees one. He saw that one looking like it was maybe going to die. He will probably look at Pete the way you would at a half starved kid you adopted

According to the vet, Staffie we have now was probably not going to make it when we got him, anemic and all the intestinal parasites. Went from 50 to 95 pounds, got him at a year old

That's great. Pete went from 18 pounds to 37 in 6 weeks. He's probably another 5 or so now. We did a DNA test and are waiting on the results.

[monoflo]

[Baz]

https://www.facebook.com/reel/932402061845138

[Baz]

Look at that face........

[gregpark]

I've decided to take the plunge with a puppy. I've got a great dog but he's about 9 now so I figure the timing is right for a puppy. I've never had a herding dog but always wanted one and now I have the time and energy for one. Picking this little guy up in a couple days

[Baz]

Originally Posted by gregpark

I've decided-snip-

Double mask! GREAT CHOICE, Greg! You are in for some fantastic times!

Couple comments.....

In a perfect world your 9 year old will assume the role as Alpha. You never know but that would make things easier if pack order is established on day 1.

This breed LOVES to chew for the first full year. I actually went through some furniture here...lol...chewing damage to lower part of the legs....so be prepared for some of that.

I recommend crate training. Both of mine absolutely LOVED their crates and considered them their homes. I kept them in their crates with doors shut when they were very young and I had to go out. In time I just left the doors open and never had any problems. I used patio chair cushions as a pads. The ones with the durable covering work great. Have to find the right size.

Potty training. They go out each morning when you get up, each evening before bedtime, and immediately every time after they eat. Obviously there will be more times than just those, but stick to that schedule as a baseline.

I fed my girls Nutro kibble, 2 feedings per day. Try to get the lamb variety. Been a while, so not sure what they sell now. There are other foods but the Nutro was really good for us. Both my girls reached ~17 years of age with very little health problems.

I got both my girls spayed at around 1 year old, IIRC. Your choice what to do with your boy, of course. Never dock his tail either. Sorry had to throw that in.

Lastly.....socialization is crucial! Take your little one EVERYWHERE you go, if possible....right from the get go. Truck rides are especially beneficial. The more other living creatures they meet and the more sights they see the better.

My girls both slept in my bed at night when they were still able to jump up and down on their own. That was nice. One at the head of the bed and the other at the foot. King size bed so plenty of room....

For toys....Kongs are great as well as tug toys and chewable bones. He will need toys!

If I think of anything else, I will share and also let me know if we can help with anything.

I realize you may already know ALL of what I just wrote but hopefully it will still be of some use.

If you are on Facebook there are a few ACD groups that might be worth considering.

I'm super excited for you and your new little baby.....

[gregpark]

Thanks for excellent advice Baz. I welcome all, I haven't had a puppy in many years but I remember it's a commitment. I have a crate at the ready and will start him on Nutro. I've been reading on these dogs and he will have chew toys and full time attention. Did yours want to herd animals and people? I'm sure he'll want to boss my chickens around ha ha. I've got 7,000 of lawn for him to run around on and I already walk Pooper a couple miles a day so I think I'll do ok with this energetic breed. He's really going to love my mountain cabin in the Stanislaus Forest. I'm excited about this adventure!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by gregpark

-snip-Did yours want to herd animals and people?-snip-

Sometimes depending on the situation.

I look forward to your observations.

Tell you one thing......you will be very impressed with the natural instincts of this breed.

He will know what you are thinking....before you do. I'm not kidding.

Also....they are VERY expressive with their bark! Some people call their bark a shriek even, because it's so shrill. Normally they aren't very "barky", but if they see or hear something......they will let you know!

Also, this breed is the most VELCRO dog in the world. He will be your little shadow....following you wherever you go. Including the bathroom...lol....

He's going to love your big lawn as well as your mountain cabin!

Here's one of the videos I made of my girls.......starting off with clips of Winkipop when she was a puppy. Billabong came along about a year later as a rescue.....

[Baz]

WRT herding, Greg....just watch WP's herding instinct kick in with my Umbrella Cockatoo......