This is a real, raw and my version of what getting a puppy is like. Some of you may have had different experiences and had it easy.
How many of you out there think that it is the dog we train? I know that's what I thought. NOPE, I was wrong. I'll get into more of that shortly.
Our puppy journey started with getting on a few adoption waitlists which I found out soon enough would never happen. Dogs came and went and most ended up being big dogs which is not what we wanted.
What I did not expect was how people felt compelled to demand I adopt! I can appreciate people being passionate about their viewpoints and opinions but in no way is that a ticket to attack me on my decisions and opinions. Anyways, MOST people were supportive and helpful instead of judgy and bitchy.
We were looking for a Maltipoo- half Maltese half poodle. We began researching breeders and just couldn't believe the cost of puppies!
Growing up, my grandparents always had dogs that became pets because they would show up at their door hungry. I never understood buying a dog, until now.
We were pretty much made up our minds on a local breeder that was quoting a minimum of $1500 but came HIGHLY recommended.
Before I go any further let me jump back to HOW we told Lilija we would be getting a puppy!!
It was Christmas morning and I was the MOST excited to have her open this gift!
So after Lilija found out, she did not stop asking us WHEN!
I lined up a few appointments to see some puppies. Lilija barely made it past new years eve because she knew January was the month!
The first day of appointments was to start in the afternoon. I happened to pop on Kijiji and saw a listing from a woman who lived an hour away. She had 3 more maltipoos left and was half the cost of the breeder!
We took the chance and immediately drove up to her farm and I will tell you within the first 30 seconds we knew we had a puppy!
We chose "Pixie" and the rest is now history!
Because we didn't think we would pick one so fast, we had NOTHING at home for the dog!
I tried to research quickly what we needed and I'm telling you it's like having a baby! You see these HUGE lists of stuff when in reality dogs are quite simple!
Ok so I went a little nuts picking things up and preparing a cute area with carpets and a crate etc.
Things I didn't need: Pink plastic crate(way too small) Carpets! Keep them away when puppy training. The dog bed and dog bag! The basket full of toys too! I ordered a huge pack of pee pads thinking they were essential.
I did order 2 standard metal wire crates. One for the main family room and one for our bedroom.
How did I know I didn't need it?! We hired a trainer that was SO HIGHLY recommended and guess where we found him?! Kijiji!
We actually got in touch with him the night before we were picking "Pixie" up which was the ideal time per Dom! He came over before we went to get her, to help with our set up. We pretty much cleared the main floor of all rugs and soft surfaces. I know some people have carpet and can't and that's why dogs tend to pee on the carpet. It mimicks the feeling of grass.
Anyways, the first lesson he gave us was that he was training US! He also stated that he teaches "treatless" training which really shocked me! EVERYTHING I read EVERYWHERE was about HOW to train your dog using treats! I won't go through all his methods because I think you should just call him if you are at all interested!
Here are the things he did teach and talk to us about:
Crate Training
Potty Training outside
Healthy Raw diet
Dog Schedules
Reading dog cues
Where it should nap/sleep
How to monitor the dog inside
How to ween from puppy nipping
How to keep your furniture, socks, and shoes from out of your puppy's mouth.
How to teach the most important commands.
There was more. I was literally blown away the amount of support he gave us for his price AT MY HOME!
NOW if we didn't have Dom at the beginning, Im not sure we would still have Pixie. I know a shocking thing to say, but I'm being honest here. The "google" is a rabbit hole of contradictory information that steers you in so many directions that you end up frustrated and get nowhere.
Also, what about all the voluntary dog advice you get?! I mean this is just like having a freaking baby! Everyone knows best. But in reality, everyone ONLY knows what was best for THEM! Every dog is different and you yelling at yours or grabbing his snout is not what will work for my dog. The same way what I learned may not work for your dog. It has to be tweaked. I again appreciate people's opinions but MAN what is it about human nature that we need to force our crap on other people?! And I have to be honest, when I get "advice" then look at how their dog acts, I'm thinking how the hell can they even give me advice! "control your own damn dog Karen" (Sorry again to all the Karens out there)
Ok moving along, so I was relieved that we found Dom and wonder every day how different our dog would be without his guidance.
Now, let's talk about the execution of everything we learned and the actual training process.
This is where Dom set us free and put us into action! He was however ALWAYS available by text and phone to help us out!
SO, I have to say I had episodes of postpartum even though I didn't give birth to this dog LOL! There were times I regretted getting the dog!
A dog is a LIFE ADJUSTMENT! This is not a damn fish you flush when it dies, or a hamster that lives in a little cage with a wheel. This isn't a worm farm that is self-sufficient and can be left alone while you go on vacation. THIS IS A CHILD!
I REPEAT: THIS IS A CHILD!
Your life will change. Your priorities change. Your schedules change. EVERYTHING!
If someone says it doesn't they are lying they just don't realize they have become the slave to the dog LOL!
I don't mean this in a bad way at all. I just want you to realize to be prepared for change!
The puppy process is also not an overnight transition in your home.
You have chosen to bring a newborn home so now we deal with the newborn things.
It will sleep, eat, pee and poo where it chooses while you train it.
If I can give you advice in 1 word.....it's CONSISTENCY!
The dog doesn't poop or pee somewhere in your house because it a bad dog, it did because you are a bad master! A puppy needs a leader YOU! If you were upset that the dog went behind the couch and pooped, its actually your fault!
You need to be hawk at all times! Any out of crate time is all under STRICT supervision! You need to learn the signs and signals that your pup is going to do its deed.
Things like sniffing, darting back and forth. Starting to squat. If you see any of these you grab the pup and run outside!
We had the poop and pee accidents and it was FRUSTRATING as hell. It's very easy to blame the dog and want to punish it, but it doesn't know any different!
BE PREPARED to be going outside every hour! Overnight it can be every 2 hours.
Oh yes the dog may not sleep through the night either. This is where I turned into a raving lunatic and pretty much slept with a vodka bottle.
I didn't deal well with Lilija waking up as a newborn, so I knew I was in trouble here.
We had Pixie sleep in our room since she would be looking for her mom or siblings. She could see me from her crate. Yes, she would whine but I would just lay my hand on the crate. The hard part was getting up to take her all the way downstairs and outside to do her thing. I figured with all the stairs I did the first 2 months I would have lost at least 5lbs! NOPE!
Anyways, lets jump back to cost! Prepare yourself for a breeder cost for the pup to start PLUS your next few Vet visits and your initial "supplies" purchases. Oh add in Spay/Neuter.
This shit ain't cheap! Hello Cuba could have gone on a fabulous vacation.
I LOVE my dog. Don't get me wrong BUT no one gives you the reality of this adventure.
It took a few weeks to nail down potty training outside with everyday CONSISTENCY! I work from home so I was able to monitor her all day!
There were times I had to wipe her butt and clean up messes in the house that were gag worthy.
If you get a pup and you are working fulltime you NEED to find someone to come into your home to let the puppy outside to pee. New puppies should not be left in the crate for longer than a few hours in the beginning.
I heard a lot of " its an animal, just leave it, it will survive" sure but how does that affect your training progress? Those same people are the ones who complain that their dog still shits in the house.
I might sound judgy cause I am! Don't complain if you haven't put a 100% effort into being the master and consistency trainer with your dog.
Ok next! Your pup is going to need ATTENTION! This is not just an accessory in your home. It wants attention just like your kids.
Travel! Oh boy! Here's an interesting topic. Unless you want to be throwing away a lot of money to kennels while you travel, consider the size of dog you are getting. Don't assume aunt Mary will take your 100LB dog while your away. BEFORE YOU GET A DOG, make arrangements and find solutions for Dog care when you travel.
We chose a small maltipoo so that IF we fly to Florida we can easily take her along in her flight bag which she got used to by being in it in the car. SO add kennel/flight cost for the dog to every trip you plan on taking.
Food! This was an interesting research project for us and I know it is a HOT BUTTON topic in the dog world.
The lady we got Pixie from was feeding Purina puppy chow but she did not want to eat it. It wasn't until we coated it in egg, that she gobbled it up.
Our trainer suggested a raw diet and gave us resources to read and watch in order to make our own decision. WOW! What I learned about the pet food industry was sickening! Don't always believe that the big dog food brands really give a crap about your dogs health. Also do not get offended by this it is my opinion only. No one can debate though that their kibble is healthier than the fresh chicken, veg, oils and nutrients I give my dog.
Whatever you chose for your dog is fine but I knew that if I wanted to know EXACTLY what was going into my dog, I would go with real food.
Our vet praised Pixies health, fur, nails etc but once I said raw diet she changed her opinion and stated we should be feeding Pixie the Royal Canin Vet brand food SHE sells.(insert eyeroll here) This food topic is a beast in itself so ill steer back to my original post now LOL
Things I learned:
Crating your dog is not a bad or mean thing!
Correcting your dog's behavior is what you should be doing as a master.
Ignoring their actions does not work (consider a child, you keep ignoring they keep doing. You tell your kids no! You also praise your kids when they do something right!
The dog is NOT the master.
Treats are useless. Treats are a marketing scam! Use bits of your kibble if you want. Dogs will perform for their regular food.
Hiring a trainer should be a MUST for every new dog owner
Time off of work or getting a friend to visit during the day, in the beginning, is a must.
Putting your life on hold for a little while to get your dog properly adjusted is a must.
Keeping your dog on a tether in the house is a HUGE help
Potty training outside(if you have a yard) is a huge help
You do not need every gadget to have a dog! 2 bowls, crate, leash, collar and a few toys to start!
You need to budget a dog. It will have continual costs.
You do need to adjust how you travel.
You can groom your dog yourself BUT be prepared for major fails LOL. I resorted to a groomer.
Again, I Love my dog! I wouldn't give her up for anything.
Just like Labour and delivery, no one gives you the full details.
Would you like to contact Dom? He works with older dogs as well to train on behavioral issues! Here is his # 416-887-4953 PLEASE mention Monika & Pixie sent you! He will open your eyes to a whole new way of being the master!
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