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adopting a dog; help wanted
Topic Started: Oct 22 2012, 10:26 AM (1,316 Views)
WhySoSerious
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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I adopted a dog from the shelter (a Chihuahua) and he came with the name Diego, which I just didn't like that much. I changed his name to Franco (similar sounding) and had no issue. I don't think dogs really care what you call them, it's more about tone of voice.
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Buryinghill1
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leastrock
Oct 23 2012, 06:38 PM
I know far too many people who have adopted or purchased a dog based on looks with no regard to the dog's original purpose/intent and how that coincides with their lifestyle.
I went to a no-kill shelter that houses 700+ dogs. My choice was a "senior Retriever."
hahaha
700 dogs, none of whom looked like retrievers!
They were housed 2 or 3 to a run - fat, healthy, and all in need of a home.
There were two sitting, not barking. Buddies. The spaniel was very friendly. The cattle dog was feral, but they managed to catch her. I offered to take the cattle dog. I had no idea if this dog was male, female, old, young... I thought s/he could use a good home.
Left for the night, and called the next morning to tell the director I'd decided to take both dogs. She said "we got BOTH of them bathed because we knew you'd call back."
I didn't know their sexes, ages, health histories, or anything about them. Both had numbers, and no names. They were dogs in need of homes.
We've lived together 5 years. They are great dogs.

On the drive home, The Rolling Stones "Ruby Tuesday" was the first tune I heard. The spaniel was named Ruby (turned out she was a bitch) and the other was named Mick (as in Jagger). Mick is a bitch too. Oh well.

Relax. Have fun.

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Boston
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I don't think changing a dogs name is a big deal at all. I've done it 3 times and never had a problem. Do it gradually and use the current name with the new name at first, i.e. if the name is Sandy and you're changing it to Lily, call her SandyLily for a couple days, then gradually drop the Sandy. They figure it out.
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leastrock
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Well, I got her! She's a little hound (mostly Beagle, I think) and around 4 years old. She is very sweet and is settling in nicely. One problem though -- she isn't eating very well. I purchased the same food she was eating at her foster home but haven't been able to get her to eat regularly. I picked her up Friday evening and she only ate half a cup of food Saturday morning (off the floor) but then cleaned up a full cup for dinner. She wouldn't eat at all this morning and didn't seem interested when I tried to feed her this evening.

Is it possible she's just taking a bit of time to adjust? She doesn't seem very anxious or worried but I recognize she's experienced some pretty big changes in her life. She isn't acting sickly and is active when walking around my yard. Thoughts?
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FlashGordon
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Congratulations!! We have a beagle/hound mix to and she is wonderful. I wish you guys many happy days together! And we need pics too!

She may need a little time to adjust.... you could try sprinkling a little garlic on the food and microwaving for 20 seconds or so, just to make it smell yummy and more appealing like people food. They also make gravy/syrups you can pour on top to entice them to eat. If all else fails, you can try cooking a little chicken and rice or beef and rice.

I wouldn't worry too much... she'll eat when she's hungry and get into a routine. ;)

Congrats and enjoy!!
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leastrock
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Thanks for the quick response. I've been stressing about it. I don't know how I'm going to feel if/when I have kids if I feel this stressed about a dog. ;) I figure she won't starve herself and it's not as if I'm not offering her food to eat. I was just a little shocked knowing how hounds are driven by their nose and often LOVE foods of all kinds.

Thanks again. I think I'm having to adjust to the change as much as she is. :)
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Indy
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Congrats on the new girl! We need pictures :)

I wouldn't worry too much about her not eating just yet. Her little world has been rocked and she might take some time to settle in before she's ready to eat normally. So long as she's drinking, not drinking would concern me more. If she goes a few days, then maybe see if you can entice her by cooking a little chicken and rice for her.
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leastrock
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Success! I got her to eat a whole cup of her food tonight; albeit, I had to throw most of it on the floor but she did eat some out of her bowl as well. Now if I could just get her to go to the potty a bit quicker. She is completely housetrained and hasn't had an accident in the house yet nor seemed like she wanted to. She just takes a while to go but I guess her hound nose and the cars going by are a bit distracting.

Thanks again for assuaging my worries!
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Indy
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The pottying definitely goes slower when they follow their noses. Once she get used to smells hopefully the pottying will go a bit faster. Riley is easily distracted with scents, which can make potty time particularly frustrating in strange places. He's much better in his own yard though.
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FlashGordon
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Leastrock, maybe look into some clicker training? That is how I taught Daisy Rainbow to go on command. Makes it a lot easier especially if you are in a hurry, it's cold, or the middle of the night, LOL!
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Boston
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Yayy!! Congratulations! I can't wait to see some pictures of her. What is her name?

As far as her eating, I'm sure it's just from all the changes going on. I would NOT recommend adding anything to the food as that can open a can of worms (she will learn to wait for your special goodies on top of her food every time). She also may be used to grazing or free feeding. I would try to get her into a routine of eating twice a day. Put the food down and use a certain phrase, i.e. "Dinner time!". Leave the food down for 15 minutes. No matter if she eats half or none of it, after 15 minutes pick it up. Same thing in the PM. She WILL figure it out even if it takes a few days.

Please post pics when you can!! Enjoy her!
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leastrock
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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She is really settling in and finding her place in her new life. Took her to the vet today for a check up and she is perfectly healthy. Besides the sticker shock at the end of the appointment (I think all vets are "expensive", must just be the cost of business..just seems like the complaint about every vet is the price) May need to lose a couple of pounds but I know it'll take a bit of time to determine the correct amount of food. She is eating breakfast and dinner like she never had an issue.

How difficult is it to trim their nails? I had the vet do it today and definitely don't want to pay that price to have them done regularly. I think I would be capable to do it; I just have these horrible visions of cutting the quick and blooding be EVERYWHERE. :psycho: Hoping to get her to some obedience classes soon. She is very well mannered but I think every dog benefits from training. She pulls like a freight train when she gets excited/nervous and her hound nose gets to working but we are working on it, patiently.

Thanks again for the advice everyone. Y'all have been a great asset.
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JanM
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The easiest way to do nails is to do a teensy bit every week or so. And get some QuikStop stiptic powder at the pet store, in case you nick her. The worst thing is to let the nails get really long, and then doing them-it almost guarantees you'll cut too much off. And some dogs don't need it too often, depending on the dog and the surface they walk or run on.
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buryinghill2
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Glad to hear that she is working out so well. It's very rewarding to see their personalities begin to emerge. I wish everyone could understand how rewarding adopting is. <3
The nail thing is an issue for Idgie. I'm perfectly comfortable doing it, I worked in a grooming room for a few years while I was in school, so I do know how. However, like a lot of dogs, Idgie doesn't like it. I am trying to establish her trust in me, so I don't want to get in a battle with her over it. Her nails are really thick and black. They have gotten pretty long since she has been here. I'm going to have to take her a friend that is a groomer. I hope it goes well. My friend is a pro, so even if Idgie battles with us she'll get it done quickly and efficiently, which is important.
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Indy
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Nails are one thing I farm out with Riley. He has really thick, black nails and I haven't had any success trimming them. Either I don't have the hand strength or all the clippers I've tried haven't been sharp enough, plus he's super squirmy so it's just never been a good situation. I either have the vet, Petsmart, or the kennel depending on when it needs to be done.
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