Dog help needed

[Crighton]

thats hilarious
Also if anyone could list a list of supplies that i will need for my first dog(dog is 5 years old so no puppy stuff), taht would be appreciated. Also what can I use to quickly acclimate the dog to a new environment, and new owners?

The dog is a Spring Spaniel/Border Collie + something unknown:0

Leash, Dog food/water dish, collar, Long line 25ft-30ft, Nail clippers (buy expensive here), Brush, Green clean machine (you may go WTF do I need that for, trust me it will be your best friend some day), Dog gate for doors/halls, pooper scooper, supply of dog do bags for walks(bread bags work), garbage can for dog crap outside. 6month supply of heartguard.

Was the dog kennel trained ? if so a kennel.

[lord1234]

Leash, Dog food/water dish, collar, Long line 25ft-30ft, Nail clippers (buy expensive here), Brush, Green clean machine (you may go WTF do I need that for, trust me it will be your best friend some day), Dog gate for doors/halls, pooper scooper, supply of dog do bags for walks(bread bags work), garbage can for dog crap outside. 6month supply of heartguard.

Was the dog kennel trained ? if so a kennel.

the dog is not kennel trained.

i don't plan on lettin the dog out when I am not home because the landlord asked us not to. What about just plastic shopping bags for dog doo? Heartguard = ??? got a name brand? or is it just WormX?
btw, pic added at top

[Marchborne]

Let's put it this way: if you are asking all of these questions, odds are you will be a good dog owner.

My advice is definitely start by mixing the good food with the filler to start. Gradually increase the ratio of good stuff, and the pooch will have an easier time adjusting. One sure way to upset his stomach is to radically change his diet overnight (especially since he may have "issues" adjusting to a new home anyway).

If he does have stomach problems, I've found that ground beef (well-drained) and rice make a good doggy "comfort food" (much more rice than beef). Charcoal biscuits are also good for easing digestion problems.

Just to add toys and treats to the list:
- kong toys (rubber chew toys-- indestructible);
- soft toys like stuffed animals (although get tough ones);
- rawhide style chew treats (edible) (rawhide strips are good, "bully sticks" are good (you don't want to know what those are made of);

and, if you really want to make the pup happy, get Greenies. They're a kind of chewy treat with chlorophyll in 'em (therefore, "greenies") and the things are like doggy crack.

Good luck. The comment about "hairy kids" is dead on. They're frustrating and fun.

[Crighton]

the dog is not kennel trained.

i don't plan on lettin the dog out when I am not home because the landlord asked us not to. What about just plastic shopping bags for dog doo? Heartguard = ??? got a name brand? or is it just WormX?
btw, pic added at top

If the dogs 5 years old, and not used to a kennel your going to have some fun re training it. Just stuffing it in there for 8+ hours will likely drive it up the wall. Mine stay in the basement laundry room on a futon matress while I'm at work, though they were kennel trained initially.

Heartguard's a heart worm medication. Keeps the heart worms away. You can buy it over the counter at alot of places, online as well.

Any kind of bag thats big enough and keeps your hands clean. I own german Shepherds so I need a large bag :)

Kongs are good toys but not indestructable. My dogs go through one about every 6 months.

[ShooterJM]

Also, how much do you feed a dog? Just fill the bowl to the brim every meal or what?

Sounds like a medium sized dog. There should be a chart on the dog food you buy to give you an idea. Morning and night feedings are good. A total of 10-16 oz of good food should do it, but check the individual listings.

[lord1234]

i know what rawhide is made from:) eeeewww

also: the current owner says the dog has no problems being alone for a few hours..but i figure we will take him home on a friday..so that i have all weekend to spend inside the house with him taking him for walks at a certain time of the day(time i get home from work/wake up time etc)

[lord1234]

btw crighton: green clean machine = for poo stains? i dont have any carpetting(thank god) so its all hardwood...

[lord1234]

heartguard requires a perscription(at least nationalpetpharmacy.com wants one) so jsut go to the vet and get one?

[lord1234]

also, Marchborne your in the "commonwealth" that means Mass to me...where in MA are you?

edit: 4 posts in a row by me and no replies...i am a loser:)

[Marchborne]

Kongs are good toys but not indestructable. My dogs go through one about every 6 months.

True enough. Our Dobie and Rottie-lab mix go through them at about that rate as well, but kongs are as good as it gets. Everything else lasts hours, maybe days.

lord: if you have hardwoods, definitely get some of the enzyme cleaners that help take away the scent of urine (dogs tend to pee/poo in the same place, if the scent stays).

Also: "bully" sticks aren't rawhide, they're worse: the tendons from the insdie of a bull's groin.

[8T88]

heartguard requires a perscription(at least nationalpetpharmacy.com wants one) so jsut go to the vet and get one?

If the dog's 5 years old chances are he's probaly on some kind of heart worm medication. Just head down to his old vet, and he'll be able to give you a prescription if your dog doesn't have one already. Also be sure to ask him about any other conditions or illness your doggie has had over his year and what to watch for.

When I was house breaking my pup, he couldn't handel beeing locked in a kennel, so we just put up gates in the (hardwood ) spare room. The funny think is when ever he had to go, he went in his kennel so it was easy to clean up. Now he just hangs around the house where ever he wants, worked out great :)

any ways good luck man!

[Crighton]

btw crighton: green clean machine = for poo stains? i dont have any carpetting(thank god) so its all hardwood...

Use mine mostly for barf, chunks and all right into the machine. Run a gallon of clean water through it to clean it out. You might not need it if you have 100% hardwood floors. Though it's certainly easier to clean the dogs bedding when he barfs on it with the small machine VS taking it and putting it in the washing machine.

Vet should be able to write you out a prescription easily enough. I believe they need one at some places due to allergic reactions killing dogs.

[lord1234]

thoughts on allowing the dog to sleep on the bed? or better to let it sleep on the floor near the bed?

[InexactMelissa]

A bit of border collie in him, huh. Please make sure that you give him plenty of stuff to do - lots of toys, pig's ears, balls, etc. and lots of chances to run. While happy border collies are the best, bored border collies are the worst...they're smart enough to do exactly what is going to tick you off the most.

Congrats and good luck!

[Crighton]

thoughts on allowing the dog to sleep on the bed? or better to let it sleep on the floor near the bed?

Wouldn't suggest letting the dog on the bed. Can be a little annoying when you're wanting to put the moves on the lady and old Fluffy comes bounding up on the bed.