Just wanted to introduce myself and my new dog; Babbs. I offically pick her up from the animal shelter on Sunday, so pics will come soon after. I have had a german shepard in the past (Kayden) - for the past 6 years but do to a "seperation" from my ex....I am now venturing into the field solo. I have gone 2 months without a dog, and it felt as if I had gone 2 months without a limb. Needless to say, I bring Babbs home on Sunday and we start a new life together:-) She has been in the shelter for close to a year, she is a 5 year old Black Lab and seems to just have an obundant amont of energy (which is no problem for me - I am training for a 1/2 marathon and my dogs have always been my running partners...)

I have never adopted a dog before, I am wondering if anyone can assist in certain things to watch out for...Do I have to be stern right away to show her I am the new master or does she just want/need love? I do not use crates and allow my dogs to be on the bed with me, do you think this is okay as well? Kayden (my german shepard) had serious issues being the alpha dog and it interfired with her getting along with other dogs and that became a really hard thing to overcome, Justin and myself set little rules upfront and I would hate to make that same mistake - however, she (Babbs) is 5 now...Do I need to still watch out for her being unsocial? The shelter says that she gets along with most dogs, unless they "start" something, but while visiting her - she seems so happy, goofy and silly - I guess the bottom (real) line I am wondering here is "can i sleep with her the first night?" Ah, how funny that sounds....what do you think, would it confuse her or make her happy? Thanks a lot - sorry for the long rant!

-Caron and Babbs:-)

First of all, good for you in opting to adopt.


Secondly, don't overthink things. Use common sense and good judgement and most everything else will fall into place. In regards to Babbs being allowed in bed. That is entirely your call and yours only. Are you comfortable with that and will you be years down the road? Even when a new "Mr. Right" comes along?


Just make sure whatever "house rules" you want to enforce are enforced from day 1. It's hard on pets when you allow something and later disallow it. They need to know what is and isn't OK right off the bat.


Welcome!

Originally Posted by BabbsMom

Do I have to be stern right away to show her I am the new master or does she just want/need love?

The answer to the stern question is quite simply...no. In fact, outside of the concern for safety, I'd say it's never necessary. And of course she will want and need love, and controlling these will be how you'll control her behavior. Nothing in Life is Free

I do not use crates and allow my dogs to be on the bed with me, do you think this is okay as well?

The bed is a resource like any other resource. So as long as the dog doesn't jump on the bed uninvited, I don't see a problem here. But again, to control her behavior you have to control the resource. That means you'll need to teach "off" and "up". And until the dog has learned the rules of the house, I'd use a crate for her safety.

Do I need to still watch out for her being unsocial?

All dog owners need to watch their dogs, and this is the main reason I don't visit dog parks...very few owners so watch their dogs.

I guess the bottom (real) line I am wondering here is "can i sleep with her the first night?"

I don't see the harm in this, however I believe in having more rules up front than invent them later when there is a problem.

Ah, how funny that sounds....what do you think, would it confuse her or make her happy?

being that shelter life is very stressful, I'd say anything you do would be a breath of fresh air. However, transitions from one extreme to another can also be stressful. Just be aware of that and have a plan B in place.

thank you all so much - Having had a dog in my past that was not very well behaved around other dogs has set me up for being a little scared about having another unsocial dog. its crazy though, b/c we did everything "right" with Kayden in terms of socializing her appropiatly among other dogs; she went to obedience school, argility classes, took her to the beach with other dogs, always had other dogs around..SO, when she turned 3 and became "scared" of other dogs, it left both Justin and I confused and now, worried about what i "did" wrong - however, I love my dogs so much, that having them up on the bed with me is all part of it....I will just invite Babbs up and keep the freedom under some control.

That was good advice about whatever it is that I decide to do with babbs, keep it consistant.

thanks a lot and I look forward to offering help to others and hearing all your input.