Getting a dog tomorrow!
#167962 - 04/07/05 10:59 AM
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Sparky
Reged: 01/06/04
Posts: 116
Loc: MI
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Hey everyone, this is my first post on this board (I am venturing outside the fitness and diet board!!). But I'm so excited about this that I had to share. I'm going to pick up my new dog tomorrow evening. He is a Papillon, so just a little guy - only four lbs. He's not a puppy (he'll be 3 soon) but I didn't want a puppy since I work full time. I've never had a dog of my own, just my family's dogs, so this is quite a big step. Hopefully he will get along with Chip, my parents' black lab, who will be his house mate at least for the next few months. Chip has never really had another dog in "his" house so this should be interesting . . . but I am so looking forward to having the whole weekend to play with the little guy before I have to go back to work. Can't wait!!! 
I'll try to post a picture of him next week.
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STEF
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Hi!! Congrats on the new dog! I'm not sure I've heard of that bread, be sure to post some pictures of him!!
I also noticed that you live in MI? Where abouts? I live in Royal Oak and work in Keego Harbor, both nothern suburbs of Detroit.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Oh, how exciting! Are you adopting him from a shelter or a rescue society---or is someone relinquishing him? I looked at photos of these dogs. They are cute! I cannot imagine a 4-lb. dog. I'd be afraid I'd step on him! My little beagle is 16 lbs.--and I thought that was small.
Your parents' dog should get along with him fine, since he's a lab. Labs are normally so easy-going that nothing bothers them. But you all may want to give the lab a little extra attention the first couple of weeks, because he may be jealous. Rescue societies suggest giving the "resident" (the dog that was in the home first) special privileges so that he knows he's top dog. When taking them for a walk or letting them out into the yard, let him go out the door first and feed him first. This is hard because everyone wants to ooh and ahh over the new dog, but believe me, you will be glad you did this. It keeps the jealous at bay.
Dogs have to establish a pecking order----one of them's got to be the boss!!! And size has nothing to do with it. It may be the little one that ends up as the dominate one.
I have 2 beagles, a large one and a small one. The bigger one can just look at the little one funny and she will drop the toy or bone she has in her mouth and walk away from it. He's not mean to her (they're best friends!), but she definitely knows who's boss!!!
Are you going to crate him when you're away? I highly recommend it so he doesn't get into anything dangerous when you're not home. Plus, it helps them feel more secure.
Good luck! I can't wait to see photos!
BL
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Thanks!  I'm in Ann Arbor, but I will be headed towards Royal Oak tomorrow to get the dog. He lives in Ferndale.
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STEF
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Quote:
Oh, how exciting! Are you adopting him from a shelter or a rescue society---or is someone relinquishing him? He's living at the breeder's now. They were hoping to keep him and show him, but he is too small to show according to the Papillon breed standard. So I get to take him home!!! I looked at photos of these dogs. They are cute! I cannot imagine a 4-lb. dog. I'd be afraid I'd step on him! My little beagle is 16 lbs.--and I thought that was small. I know!! We had a lab mix before and now Chip, so this small dog will be a lot different.
Your parents' dog should get along with him fine, since he's a lab. Labs are normally so easy-going that nothing bothers them. But you all may want to give the lab a little extra attention the first couple of weeks, because he may be jealous. Rescue societies suggest giving the "resident" (the dog that was in the home first) special privileges so that he knows he's top dog. When taking them for a walk or letting them out into the yard, let him go out the door first and feed him first. This is hard because everyone wants to ooh and ahh over the new dog, but believe me, you will be glad you did this. It keeps the jealous at bay. Yeah, I've been reading up on this. I bet they will be fine but we will make sure to give Chip extra love. It will be interesting to see which one ends up being "top dog"!!
Dogs have to establish a pecking order----one of them's got to be the boss!!! And size has nothing to do with it. It may be the little one that ends up as the dominate one.
I have 2 beagles, a large one and a small one. The bigger one can just look at the little one funny and she will drop the toy or bone she has in her mouth and walk away from it. He's not mean to her (they're best friends!), but she definitely knows who's boss!!!
Are you going to crate him when you're away? YES!!! I highly recommend it so he doesn't get into anything dangerous when you're not home. Plus, it helps them feel more secure. Yes, he is used to travelling in a crate but I don't think he is crated while they are away. That will be my first training assignment. Chip was crated when he was young (he's 7) and never liked it so I am going to do a better job at crate training with this guy.
Good luck! THANKS!!! I can't wait to see photos!
BL
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STEF
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Hey, you should name him "Sparky!" (I love that name.)
We have always had dogs -- all my life, ever since I was born (my parents used to breed cockers). I love all dogs. Right now we have a Westie. We used to have two Westies, but we had to give one away because they did not get along.
We thought the first Westie would be lonely because, at the time, we were working full time, so we got another Westie puppy to keep our 2 year-old company. When we brought him into the house, the older dog went ballistic, obviously not happy with us! She pooped and peed all over the house, telling us she was most "put out" by what we had done.
Over the years we hoped things would change, always being very careful to pet the older dog first, feed her first, hold her first, and wash her first. But one time we forgot, and washed the puppy first. The older dog pooped all over the bathroom floor to show us her displeasure.
The older dog never forgave me, and one day, after several years of being unhappy, she growled at me. That was it. We found her a good home where there was no other dog, and have followed up ever since, checking on her periodically. She is apparently extremely happy now and supposedly never gives the new owners any trouble.
I hope Chip handles this a lot better than Murphy did. Look for telltale signs like Murphy's (e.g., pooping and peeing all over the house), and if you detect that Chip is not happy, well, I hope you can find Sparky a good home.
Meanwhile, ENJOY! I don't know what a Papillon is (a terrier?), but labs are fabulous dogs. Do you live by the water, I hope? Do you take Chip out for swims? They're so fun to play with in the water!
Good luck,
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Ferndale is right next door!! There are a couple of us from this area, Heather is in Lincoln Park and Angela is just south of that and Amie lives in AnnArbor! We get together occasionally and do crafts and things, would be be interested in joining us sometime?
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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My Grandad had one and he was the cutest little thing...a proper dog tho, under the butterfly ears and tiptoeing feet! They ARE quite easy to step on tho...I'd get him a litle bell for his collar so he can't sneak up on you and get trodden on!
Labs are so laid back, hopefully you won't have any issues. Just remember not to intervene if Chip does a little growl or something (obviously intervene if he goes for the jugular tho! ) as he needs to be able to establish a pecking order! How old is Chip? The little guy might actually end up as the boss...I've seen that loads with characterful tiny dogs and laid-back big ones! It's sooo funny.
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Sure! I assume you coordinate things on the get together board? I'll have to stop by there periodically.
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STEF
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