Hello all. I am new on here and I wasn't quite sure where to put my post, so please move if this is the wrong place. Today me and my fiance got a one year old Australian cattle dog mix. I have read all the e-books by Ed, and I had planned on having a few of his DVD's way before I got a dog, but this dog, Loki, came to us very suddenly. He needed a new home and we had a home to offer so that was it. I have been reading Leerburg.com for almost a year, been obsessed with it really but I always thought that my knowledge would go towards puppy raising. Now I got a one year old and I have a lot of work ahead of me.

When we got him today, he was a little timid, but warmed up to us while we talked to him and gave him treats. He jumped right up into our truck and is really good in there. Before he was kept outside a lot and if in a house he was "pad trained" *sigh*. We came home tonight and I took him for a walk around the buildings, he peed and pooped so I was happy We bought a crate for him, but that turned out to be too small so we're getting a new one tomorrow. He sits pretty well, but that's about it, so we're gonna have to start from scratch in OB. When out and about today he didn't bark at anybody, neither dogs nor humans. Was really friendly towards people and indifferent of dogs. When people came over tonight he barked once and raised the hair on his back, but we had the guests give them treats, and he calmed down quickly.

I have so much to learn, me and the fiance both. We have to syncronize our training and be on the same page. I really like the: teach the behaviour you want instead of correcting for what you don't want philosophy so we don't have to nag him about everything. He's sleeping at the moment after a very tiring day. He was used to eating leftovers off plates so he's not all that interested in the dogfood we got him, except when we handfeed him. But he'll get over that. I don't really have a question at the moment, just needed to write this out a little. Any advice is welcomed.

It is in the wrong spot, but I'm sure a Mod will happen along and shift it to the right spot.

So, welcome aboard!

We want pictures, BTW.

Crate too small? How small is too small? Can the dog stand up and lay down in it?

Thank you

He can not lay down or sit and when he stands it's in a very awkward bended position. We just need a size bigger, cause I know it has to be his little den. Right after I posted this I realized I have a few questions, of course :P, but I'll wait till it's moved to it's right place. And pictures will come soon

Go ahead and get a crate that he will be able to use as an adult.

Most of the good wire crates come with a partition, so you can block off the excess area. That will help the pup to not want to use the bathroom in the crate.

As the pup gets bigger, move the partition to give him more room and simply take it out when it is no longer needed.

If one does not come with the crate, something could easily be made to serve the purpose.:smile:

Oh he's already one year old. I don't know how much he has left to grow o.O I posted this in the wrong place

Nevermind. I just read in the O.P. that the dog is already one.

Edited by Michael_Wise (11/05/2008 12:04 AM)
Edit reason: aaaaaaaaaannnnnnnd we were posting at the same time.