We just spent the afternoon with a breeder of Portuguese Water Dogs and I think we've..
02-02-2003, 04:16 PM
#21
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Ok...
...but they still look like chihuahuas to me and you can tell me they don't until you're blue in the face and I'll still think they do. When it comes to things like looks, I'm somewhat of a generalist. 
02-02-2003, 04:45 PM
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three words...
Puppy, puppy, puppy!
The bonding required for even the best breed dog only will take place if the dog is introduced to it's new pack (and alpha wolf, you) at the appropriate developmental age. IMHO, 6 months is too old. I trained my golden very well, and one of the many things we did was to ensure that my sons (who where then 18 months and three) could take food from his mouth and food bowl while he ate. This can only be done with a dog imprinted on your pack, and you.
Just my two cents Dave. Swing by a book store and peruse the book I recommended and the chapter on selecting a puppy. Good luck :-)
The bonding required for even the best breed dog only will take place if the dog is introduced to it's new pack (and alpha wolf, you) at the appropriate developmental age. IMHO, 6 months is too old. I trained my golden very well, and one of the many things we did was to ensure that my sons (who where then 18 months and three) could take food from his mouth and food bowl while he ate. This can only be done with a dog imprinted on your pack, and you.
Just my two cents Dave. Swing by a book store and peruse the book I recommended and the chapter on selecting a puppy. Good luck :-)
02-02-2003, 04:48 PM
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I don't need to do that...
...because I'm already reading it. I bought it on Amazon the same day along with "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" by the same authors. I definitely hear you on the puppy thing. It's a lot to think about.
I bought it on Amazon the same day along with "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" by the same authors. I definitely hear you on the puppy thing. It's a lot to think about.
02-02-2003, 04:51 PM
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I agree there as well ...
Shay and I had issues until she realized I was the alpha kitty. ;-)
Seriously, I called the breeder at one point when I was trying to figure out why she'd start biting at my throat when lying on the bed quietly. She pointed out that Shay looked at me as a peer and it was important that I establish a dominant role. I started banishing her to the bathroom (with no toilet paper to play with) whenever she did this and it worked like a charm. ;-)
Seriously, I called the breeder at one point when I was trying to figure out why she'd start biting at my throat when lying on the bed quietly. She pointed out that Shay looked at me as a peer and it was important that I establish a dominant role. I started banishing her to the bathroom (with no toilet paper to play with) whenever she did this and it worked like a charm. ;-)
02-02-2003, 05:10 PM
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Ok, you know what??? You have all but convinced me that we..
....should get one of these puppies in Canada. It's going to be a lot of work travel wise, but I think it is worth it in the long run. There are just too many potential issues with this older dog that I'm not prepared to deal with. We need to do the puppy thing and make this dog our own from the very start. Thanks for the advice.