re: Resources needed: Just bought my first dog

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Find a local dog daycare or place that offers training. You need to take it to socialization classes. Usually a bunch of puppies playing and being around other owners.

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So you get the dog first and then ask how to take care of it? Seems like you have this backwards my friend

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I’m not asking how to take care of it, jacknut. I’m just asking for info from people who know more about it than I do. And even more, a recommendation on things to “check out” or “look into” to get better at it. Hard for the bottom feeders of the OT to fathom, I know

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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.

I have a 9 month old Catahoula mix that we got last June, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job with her.

She was house broken around 14 weeks, but that just had to do with persistent crate training and bringing her outside every couple of hours.

I would say try to enroll them in a local obedience class as soon as they are old enough. I've done 3 sets of classes with her and it's help out a ton.

Food - Purina Pro Plan is solid, she's been on it since she was 8 weeks old.

Get a ton of toys and if you're having trouble with them biting just make sure you have a toy near by to distract them with it.

Good luck puppies are great!