New puppy!

[REDVAN]

I've also read that if you have to, you can clench your hand around their jaw like a bite, and it symbolizes that you are the boss and they are doing something bad. Anyone tried this? I know the ignore technique, and am trying it.

One dog didn't stop biting us until she was a year old (no matter what we tried) Just one day stopped. The other dog never chewed... always preferred toys.
Here's our girls:

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Rub A5-35, Bengay, Tiger Balm or similar type analgesics rubbed on your hands cures this. Puppies don't like it.

That's a sweet little trick! Wish I'd known that when my sister-in-law's lab was a puppy. Unfortunately i would have had to rub it on my nipples.


... don't ask. It's too soon.

[eternalflames]

I have a question that is kind of lame but I'm going to ask anyways. What's supposed to go on the puppy's collar? Sorry, my puppy is the first pet I've had and I'm not really sure. Like I know they're supposed to have an ID tag, with names and phone numbers and such. But is there anything else we have to put on them? I see other dogs with like 2 or 3 tags and I'm not sure what they are.

I also understand that I have to register my puppy with the city, but what do they send me to prove that I have him registered? Like a certificate or just a piece of paper?

Thanks for any replies!

Originally Posted by eternalflames

I have a question that is kind of lame but I'm going to ask anyways. What's supposed to go on the puppy's collar? Sorry, my puppy is the first pet I've had and I'm not really sure. Like I know they're supposed to have an ID tag, with names and phone numbers and such. But is there anything else we have to put on them? I see other dogs with like 2 or 3 tags and I'm not sure what they are.

I also understand that I have to register my puppy with the city, but what do they send me to prove that I have him registered? Like a certificate or just a piece of paper?

Thanks for any replies!

City dog tag license and vaccination tags.

[FlamesGirl]

I also had a tag made with my dog's name on the front and on the back an "If found, please call" with my cell number. Just in case he ever gets loose somewhere with no animal services (ie camping, hiking, etc). Also, if your dog is microchipped, they usually give you a little tag to put on the collar so people know to look for the microchip.

[Peanut]

Speaking of micro-chips... does anyone know how to change the information that's been programmed to them? Since we got our dogs and cat we've moved and changed cell phone numbers and veteranarians. So if they got lost, someone could scan their chip but I'm not confident it would actually help get them back to us at this point.

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by Peanut

Speaking of micro-chips... does anyone know how to change the information that's been programmed to them? Since we got our dogs and cat we've moved and changed cell phone numbers and veteranarians. So if they got lost, someone could scan their chip but I'm not confident it would actually help get them back to us at this point.

in the papers you get when you get the dog microchipped there is a contact number for the company that enters the data. Some even have a website that you can update from. if you dont have the papers still your vet probably has their contact info.

this is one of my dogs (the puppy) microchip companies http://www.microchipidsystems.com/ the other doesnt have microchip

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by FlamesGirl

I also had a tag made with my dog's name on the front and on the back an "If found, please call" with my cell number. Just in case he ever gets loose somewhere with no animal services (ie camping, hiking, etc). Also, if your dog is microchipped, they usually give you a little tag to put on the collar so people know to look for the microchip.

I recommend getting the tag with the dog's name and phone number on it.

A couple of times I have had a dog wander into my yard. With the above mentioned tag it was a simple call to the owner to ask them if they knew where their dog was.

Once it was kinda funny. The owner said. Yes, my dog is right ... um, where is the dog. Oh damn, the gate is open.

Anyway, it was a simple pick up for them to walk over to my house instead of me not knowing how to get ahold of the owner. I would hate to have to phone any kind of city services to deal with it. Although they are quite good as well.

[LGA]

I thought I'd bump this in honour of my new Doberman puppy.

[chid]

Just on another puppy note, we are getting a puppy from a rescue place here in Calgary. So excited!
Has anyone tried using bell training to get a dog to go outside? How effective is it? What special tips and tricks are there? There is a lot on the net but its a lot of slightly different techniques

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by chid

Just on another puppy note, we are getting a puppy from a rescue place here in Calgary. So excited!
Has anyone tried using bell training to get a dog to go outside? How effective is it? What special tips and tricks are there? There is a lot on the net but its a lot of slightly different techniques

The bell is pure genius. We got our lab pup, Iggy, trained on the bell. We just took her over, pointed at it, and when she touched it with her nose we gave her a treat and took her outside and told her to pee. Repeat as required. Took us maybe 5 -10min for her to figure out that if the bell dingles, door opens, and she can go pee. Works like magic now.

Just be wary of them using it to go play. When it dingles we take her to pee first everytime so she doesnt associate it with playing. That would get bloody annoying.

[Shawnski]

OK, I have to tell you a "bell" story. Many years ago, my parents lived in Gibsons, BC. They had two dogs, Dusty and Vicky. Mom trained them to ring the bell if they wanted out. Vicky, being the lazier one would usually wait for Dusty to ring the bell, then she too would go out. Rang it herself sometimes, but usually just followed Dustys' lead.

Dusty got smart. When Mom would put out their food, Dusty would run over to the door and ring the bell. At this point, Vicky would go outside and Dusty would turn around, run back and eat both of their plates of food.

Smart dog.

[Russic]

I had a psych prof in university that told a story about the bell i'll never forget. He taught his dog to ring the bell to go out. One night he had the psychology department head over for dinner. Excited to share his story of conditioning with his guest he proudly proclaimed "look! I've conditioned my dog to ring this bell to go outside!". The department head looked at him blankly and said "no ... your dog has conditioned you to open the door at the sound of a bell".

I've always found that funny.