That it will! Trust me!



My lab had free reign of the house initially until I came home and found my couch cushions in chunks on the floor, the clicker chewed beyond repair, two votive candles gone except the wicks, and a pile of shredded papers that had been my bills.

I tried leaving him in the kitchen next, put boards across each doorway. There was a 2 inch strip of carpet between the board and the linoleum. Notice I said was. There used to be corners on the cupboards too. Again

I highly suggest a kennel. Definitely cheaper than buying new furniture and/or losing your deposit due to damage. Puppies chew. It's how they explore their new environments. My boy Trot took to the kennel quickly and once he was out of the chewing stage, he didn't need it anymore. Now he's got free reign while we're gone all day and he's fine.

Puppies are awesome though. Lots of work but well worth it. I think I love that dog more than life itself! Hope you find a wonderful companion too.

I know there will be issues, but.. I paid the pet deposit already.. so let them eat...LOL

As a only child,my dog was my only and best friend.we would share my peanutbutter sandwich and a jar of water,he would howl his head off,when I pretend that I was a country singer.He was always there,when I came home. I love all kinds of dogs,They love you for you,even if you are in a bad mood or sick.They are there right be side you. Yes,They are alot of headaches but They also have so much love to give. I think Animals-Owners are a great group of people... I've a 5 year old pug named Nemo,he makes me smile every day,just by little things that he might do. If you can,please opened your heart and home to a homeless dog or cat. You won't be sorry.. SORRY I GOT CARRIED AWAY....

no need to be sorry, you said what most are thinking.

clickable link:

http://nevadaspca.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-happened-i-did-not-do-anything.html

So, a mini snauzer/toy poodle mix? Or maybe similar to that dog but not exactly? And you're sure you want a puppy, not a broken in adult dog? You did your homework on the breed right? New owners should always do at least some research on the kind of dog they are getting, to prepare for the dog's tendencies and personality, grooming. Since it's going to be a puppy, you will obviously have to house train, and Newark's indoor big cage sounds like a great idea for when you're not home. Otherwise, the others here posted some pretty good ideas as well, but I like Newark's idea. My mom has a King Charles hyperactive dog, and she bought a big cage for him when she was breaking him in as a puppy. It worked reasonably well, and he is housebroken, but now he likes to chew everything. Other than that he turned out okay. Good luck, buddy, and I'm happy for you.

So on that little dog, did you catch the "lyrical" comment? Cutesy-Polite way of saying she barks.

The pet sitter idea and the older dog idea were both good comments.

If you are starting with a puppy, while crate training is definitely a good idea, 8-10 hours in it isn't. You may not have the pup going all over, but they will be going in their crate.

Besides it being a gut wrencher when they pass on... Owning a pet dog is awesome!

do EXACTLY what this guy says www.cesarsway.com
Cheers

You'd be better with the author of The Loved Dog by Tamora Geller. She doesn't get into the swamping the dogs system with dominance like Milan does. Plus she hasn't been sued with killing a dog. I have problems with someone who believes it's okay to pick up a dog by its collar and let it dangle, strangling.

... I'm going to need to strongly agree here!

I recall absolutely loving this book:

Don't Shoot the Dog

"A reinforcer is anything that, occurring in conjunction with an act, tends to increase the probability that the act will occur again..."

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Shoot-Dog-Teaching-Training/dp/0553380397

Review

"This delightful, clear, and utterly helpful book is for anyone who wants to understand or change the behavior of an animal—whether the animal in question is a barking dog, a nosy neighbor, a hostile cat, or you and your own bad habits."—Carol Tavris, Ph.D., author of Anger
Product Description
A Better Way to Better Behavior

Karen Pryor's clear and entertaining explanation of behavioral training methods made Don't Shoot the Dog! a bestselling classic. Now this revised edition presents more of her insights into animal—and human—behavior.

A groundbreaking behavioral scientist and dynamic animal trainer, Karen Pryor is a powerful proponent of the principles and practical uses of positive reinforcement in teaching new behaviors. Here are the secrets of changing behavior in pets, kids—even yourself—without yelling, threats, force, punishment, guilt trips...or shooting the dog:

•The principles of the revolutionary "clicker training" method, which owes its phenomenal success to its immediacy of response—so there is no question what action you are rewarding
•8 methods of ending undesirable habits—from furniture-clawing cats to sloppy roommates
•The 10 laws of "shaping" behavior–for results without strain or pain through "affection training"
•Tips for house-training the dog, improving your tennis game, or dealing with an impossible teen
•Explorations of exciting new uses for reinforcement training

Learn why pet owners rave, "This book changed our lives!" and how these pioneering techniques can work for you too.

Same here Jeff.. My dog knew when my laptop closed it's time to get up and get in.. I don't crate him anymore but he'll go towards it or outside when the laptop closes...

the thing to remember Griffin is that when you go away, you have to make sure you kennel him or have a dog sitter...

Sometimes I make plans totally forgetting that I have my baby that needs caring for.. So I either cancel plans, kennel him or one of my wonderful friends sits for me b/c I really do hate to kennel him... he needs lots of love an attention CONSTANTLY... lol

Yep, they are family and have rights ...

... They are sensitive beings that need everything we need, and are completely reliant on a good owner providing such ...

Best friends forever ... ... Gawd I just LOVE dogs ...

Me too... I don't like when people say "they're dogs, treat them as such".. Mine is like one of my children and I treat him with love... Of course he doesn't get electronics and such but he does get a load of chew toys...

... Dogs just really do that otherwise unnattainable thing:

Love us UNCONDITIONALLY, w/ all their being ...


... ... I'm SO blessed to have one again after ALL these years w/out!


They feed the soul and ask for so little ...

I agree... I'm going to be devastated when I lose him.. I have thought about getting him a friend but then that's another I have to worry about breaking my heart when their time comes...

Well, it just means there is another angel on the other side to protect you ...

That's how I have to frame it to deal w/it anyway...

Their lil lifespan quotient just killllzzzzz me too ...

It's worse on the big dogs. 7-10 years flies by. The little ones can push 20 and that's to fast too.

Ummm ... doesn't that kinda answer itself ... ? And the larger question [sic] becomes: What do you do with the 'puppy' after it grows to full size ... ? Might wanna reconsider this one and get a fish instead ...

The time spent in the company of my dog is well worth the pain I'll have when he is gone. It will very near kill me when he dies, but can't imagine ever being without a dog.

Total agreement with all who mention adopting an older dog and the suggestions to crate train your new dog. My dog was 1+ y.o. when I got him. He and I have bonded as if we've always been together. I'll tell you, though...even at age 7, without that crate, he'd be a mad man in this house!

Yes. Another thing may I suggest and give MHO on? PLEASE walk him/her everyday,and/or schedule play time daily. They love you, you are their lord and master. To sit inside all day long (and night) would drive anyone crazy. Walking is fun, you'll both explore places you won't go otherwise, and when they get tired, let them rest. I bring a bottle of water in the summer, walk late at night-early morning in this heat. Used to take my neighbor sometimes and she's want to hurry and I'd say "this is Jack's walk- not ours" because it is.
Where I live is a strip of small old homes and many dogs and rarely see any of them outside, it's sad for them, you can tell by their barking they want to come with us.
A mister to train to stop barking incessantly, when you spray it gently in the face say 'quiet' and they'll get it right away. As they get older, all had to say is "want me to get the water? and they'd stop immediately (2 large dogs rough housing inside). And for chewing LOTS of chew toys, identify whats theirs and whats yours (MINE). Dollar stores you can stock up, try to get the chicken rawhide instead of beef, little ones cannot digest it, choking issues etc. AND no bones, grapes, chocolate. Splinter and poison.
sorry for rambling.
So...did you get your pup yet??