My new puppy has come. When she's had her second vaccination I'll take her to puppy training classes, but in the meantime I've been doing a bit of reading up.
The breeder told me to reinforce good behaviour/choices with edible treats, and to ignore mistakes/bad behaviour. When I last had a dog it was considered okay to say 'No!' in a firm voice if, for instance, the puppy pooed in the wrong place, and then move her to the right place. Has this idea changed? I'm keen to know, because puppy decided the floor next to the television was a great place to poo, and she can't seem to get the hang of newspaper in the kitchen or the garden (for more than the odd pee).
Yesterday I saw an episode of The Dog Whisperer, and then I went to look at some of his books on Amazon. I saw, though, that although many people are very impressed by his method (which seems to be based on the idea that it's important to establish ourselves as the leader of the pack to which the dog believes it belongs), there are other people who consider that idea to be outdated, or even wrong. There are even some people who call him cruel.
I'll have a word with the vet on Monday when I take Piglet for her second vaccination, but I know there are lots of keen and loving dog owners on here, and I'm curious to know what you think.
Anyone who can help me to stop Piglet from crapping all over the house without frightening her wins my undying gratitude
She's arrived! What an absolute monster she is, too! She's only been here since Saturday, but already she's turned my life upside down
I'm covered in bite marks and scratches, she's pooing all over the place and I've hardly had time to sit down at the computer because I'm either playing with her or holding her until she's soundly enough asleep for me to settle her down on a chair
Everything is at risk of being chewed to pieces. I caught her shaking my poor, elderly, fluffy polar bear by the head earlier on, and she particularly enjoys (i) the sleeves of my jacket (ii) my fingers (iii) whatever book I'm reading (iv) the little cloth tag that hangs off the zip on my PHD down vest. Fortunately she's managed to soften up one end of a big chew thing I got her, and she's sharpening her little shark's teeth on that at the moment
I'm going to start another thread about training methods, but in the meantime I've posted some piccies below *sighs indulgently* She's called Piglet, btw
Many thanks to all for the advice, suggestions and assistance on this.
I bought a desktop from Novatech in the end: I noticed that they did well in the PC Pro 'Customer Service' awards last year. It's a lot faster than the last one, and it's got a proper sound card and a good graphics card.
I like the idea of a Mac, but I've been with PCs for so long now that I'm not really willing to start from scratch with applications and stuff. I don't do a lot of either recording or video editing, so a PC is fine for me although I'm sure a Mac would be better.
Meanwhile I've been looking at MESH, and they look good. Some quotes expected any minute by email Thanks again!
On the sound front, it seems that lots of people are doing integrated sound these days. MESH don't seem to offer choice of sound card in the online customisation table either. It can be done over the phone, though.
Your little Billy looks absolutely adorable! Really I'd love to have a collie, but living where I am at the moment/other things considered I know I wouldn't be able to give him/her enough excercise. I'll post piccies of mine when he/she arrives.
(I did a lot of research finding a great breeder, and the litter I'm getting the pup from is only 3--2 bitches and 1 dog. The breeder isn't yet sure whether she's keeping 1 or 2, or which ones they're going to be, which is why I don't yet know whether it's going to be a dog or a bitch. I really don't care, though, as long as it's happy and healthy.)
Peewiglet
