JenM

Hi everyone, my name is Jen, and I've been around before, but mostly in the cat and chin sections. Its been a long time, but I'm back again!

And I'm excited because I might be getting a dog in a few months! We're moving out to my mom's farm (renting a house there) and it looks like shortly after I will be getting a puppy. A Boston Terrier!

I grew up with dogs all my life (Boston's as well) but this will be MY first dog, and I'm not sure what to expect. She will be spayed of course, and I'll have a vet lined up for all the vaccinations, etc, but I have no idea about what 'things' I'll need, or how to train, or anything. Does anyone have any good tips, or sites that have good info on raising a puppy?

Thanks!

Candycane

Hey Jen! It's great to see you again. How is Willow doing?

How exciting...a new puppy! It can be fairly expensive when you first get a puppy so I'd definitely recommend starting to buy things now. Some things you'll need are: bed, dishes (stainless steel or ceramic preferably), collar, training collar (halti, harness, etc.), 4' and 12' leads for training, good chew toys (Kongs, Tire Biters). Hmmm, that's all I can think of right now. I would highly recommend puppy classes and general obedience. I trained using praise only but training with food is also a good idea...and probably easier.

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Candice

suzoo

Hi Jen! Welcome back!
Another thing to think about is containment for when you are away.. either crate-training or a baby gate to keep the puppy in a small area or room. I highly recommend crating but some people choose not to.. I find it easier to house-train that way.

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~Sue~
Montana~Kokoroo~Wiley~Wilson~
Manuel ~Pablo ~Lucia

JenM

Hi again guys! Thanks for those tips, it looks like I'll be getting a puppy in June! My stepdad has offered to buy one for me kindof as a 'welcome to the farm/housewarming gift/bribery to come live on the farm' . And now my mom is thinking of getting one too!! Yay!!

So I'm very excited, its perfect timing. I've always wanted a dog, but its never been the right time. Our cats will be pretty put out though!

Willow is doing great, she's a total lap cat now, which I never would've expected in a thousand years. But now she'll follow me around waiting until I sit down so she can jump in my lap. So I love that. She tends to hide during the day while my son is up (he can crawl and chase her now), but she doesn't seem to mind him that much. And our other cat Hugh is a giant suck, but has been since day one. He is very good with Ciaran (who's latest obsession is head butting Hugh in the butt ).

I actually think Willow will be the first to accept a puppy, we dog-sat my mom's old dog for a week, and by the end of the week Willow would happily ignore the dog, but didn't seem upset. Hugh on the other hand I don't know how he'll react. I've only seen him with a dog once, my aunt stopped by with a Chihuahua and Hugh spazzed, hissing and fur up.

But we'll take our time and hopefully be a big happy family without too much drama!

jennawing

Don't blame Hugh- I do that, too, when I see a chihuahua. :P

Bostons can be quite tenacious- my neighbor has some that run around grunting instead of barking. They sound like monkeys when they get excited. Laugh a minute!

theratlady

a little tip, get a girl boston. like jennawing said they are tenacious but they are also one track minded and pig headed ive found the boys to be moreso this way(ive met about a dozen or so bostons) i think they are extremely cute but the girls seem to be a little easier for me to take to. very active dogs too so living on a farm would be good for them getting exercise.

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christina and the bluenose rats and other critters

JenM

We'll definatly get a girl dog. I grew up with Boston's all my life, and we've only ever had girls. I don't know how boys would be different, but I'm just more comfortable with the females. And I love all their snorts, snuffles and grunts. Lulled me to sleep every night as I was growing up!