re: Resources needed: Just bought my first dog

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Don’t treat it like your kids, train it, be disciplined. You will be grateful down the road.

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Going to repeat. Get these 2 books.




Most of the main points have been brought up. Crate train and make the crate their home/safety. Leash train early.

Don't treat your dog like a human, they have different drives, instincts, and body language. Understand that dogs will be dogs, especially puppies. They will be destructive, they will likely occasionally have an accident in the house, they need physical exertion. Learn to identify "teachable moments" and take advantage of every one. Don't buy into the "zero negative reinforcement" new age nonsense, there's a time and place for both positive (treats and attention) and negative (pin and make submit, scruff, light pinch on the ear) reinforcement.