Hello, I just wanted to introduce myself. I just got a new dobie from rescue who is the bee's knees! I havn't had a dog in a long time that I could take with me and do stuff with. My last dog was a chow/rott that had been elderly for some time and could not really go places anymore.I finally had to put her to sleep 2 weeks ago at 16 as her health started to go very quickly. This guy is a super sweet, loves everyone kind of lug, although he is not so fond of other dogs. I have worked with him over the past few days and he is doing well with just ignoring and walking past any dogs. Until we get some more training in, I am fine with that. I am hoping to do some obedience and some tracking with him. On our hike up lookout mtn. yesterday his nose was to the ground the whole way up. He kept hunting out little creatures. Any advice on good books and videos would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome.

Sounds like you are/were mentally prepared for your old pal to go? Can I ask what her health issues were? I'm faced with a dog who has kidney issues...

I am sorry to hear about your old dog. I suppose transition is transistion and people go through it accordingly.

I remember when I had my old girl on the lead 3 feet behind me and the new boy yanking me ahead, me jammed in the middle with both arms out-stretched.~~~~ahhh~~~~~

The energy of the young ones is exhilarating to say the least! And I'd welcome the fact that your new one ignores other dogs! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> IMO, this is a good thing. What does he do when he "hunts little creatures?"

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....Any advice on good books and videos would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

You mentioned Ob and maybe tracking. I know others here will have tracking suggestions.

Do you have this Basic Obedience video?
http://www.leerburg.com/302.htm

It has a lot more in it besides Ob, and I look at it as a very good intro or re-intro to raising a dog.

There's also a list of books and other videos on this site. (Click above on Leerburg Table of Contents and check it out.)

I'm sorry about your senior dog, but happy that the final decline was rapid.

Welcome!!

I could never have made myself ready for her to go. She was the best dog that ever lived. She was living out her senior years rather healthy (thank you raw diet)until the last few weeks. She started to not be able to walk much and would stand in the middle of the room and drool (she was not a drooler normally). She stopped being able to recognize anyone and in the end she just collapsed and took a big hunk out of her nose. She had stopped eating the last few days which told me it was time. I carried her back inside and slept on the floor with her. I carried her to the car the next morning and took her to the vet. It was by far the hardest thing I have ever done and am crying just thinking about it. She was one of the greats and I miss her dearly.
I found myself crying every night and after a couple of weeks I couldn't stand it anymore. I have never lived without a dog in my life and I felt increasingly more and more lonely. That was when I called doberman rescue. That is where I found sampson. I was originally just going to foster him for a few weeks as they desperately needed to get him out of the kennel and into a home to begin his transition. I fell in love with the brat as he has one of the best tempraments I have ever seen. He is super friendly and desperately wants to please. He has definately been abused and neglected, but is bouncing back in amazing speed. In the week I have had him he has put on a good 5-6 pounds and has learned not to jump up to kiss you in the face (for the most part), not to pull on the leash, and to come to his new name somewhat reliably. Housebreaking... he is a bit of a sneak. He jiggles the door nob to go out to pee... but he poops inside! And he is incredibly quick and sneaky. I keep him by me when he is inside, but I have to go sometimes too! I was in the bathroom for 2 seconds and came out and he had pooped! grrrrr. My own fault for leaving him unsupervised. Live and learn.

Sorry, got caught up in my shotzie dogs story and didn't answer the last question you asked. When he hunts little creatures he seems to follow their scent with his nose to the ground and going at a very rapid pace. Then he will stop suddenly and look into the brush with his front paw raised up looking like he is ready to pounce. Then, he slowly walks toward the underbrush and pokes a little area. Off scurries a little creature that was apparently right in front of me that I couldn't see. Then he wiggles from head to toe and tries to jump up to give me a kiss. Then he goes right back to sniffing the trail until he does it again. It is quite adorable I assure you.

I was planning on getting that video. The main problem being that I really was not ready to get a new dog. Not financially. I am going away for 5 weeks this summer for school. between the dollar going down and the euro going up it has just added about 500 bucks to my trip. I can't spend any money right now until I get back. Luckily my roommate and my boyfriend love him just as much as I do and are more than happy to take care of him while I am gone. I have a feeling I will have to do some retraining when I get back anyway <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />. I was thinking of just doing some basic manners and start on housebreaking in the 6 weeks before I leave and then do some fun tracking and major obedience when I get back.

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....The main problem being that I really was not ready to get a new dog. Not financially. .....

OK, check this out! Podcasts to download and listen to (on your computer if you want), many totally free:
http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4169417/an/0/page/0#4169417

Also, click on Leerburg Table of Contents above on this screen and read articles, including crate training, food, and everything else about your dog.

Save up for that DVD, though...... worth it.

I think most of us here have had that experience with a senior dog, and I cried just reading it. What a good way you have chosen to honor that wonderful companion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have been listening to the podcasts and reading the articles. I think I spent 3 or 4 hours yesterday reading stuff. That was why I joined the list. Very impressive compilation of information. I enjoy the sarcastic quips also. I too get irritated at stupid people who should not only not own or breed dogs, but shouldn't be breeding themselves! I got another wonderful "you know his brain is gonna swell any time now and he is gonna turn on ya!" at the market on sunday. This sweet dobie kissed about 30 babies and was pet by over 200 people and yet I still had several comments of how brave I am to take "that kind" of dog in such a public place. The only thing anyone had to worry about was getting licked to death <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />