[CouversMom]

Great thread idea Brittany!!

1. Keep dog still.. no running/moving/jumping a week after spay/neuter.

- Neither of mine followed this rule... Couver was out for about 2 days and Khloe wanted to play the very same day! I had to fight her to take any sort of a break. I think she had some really great pain meds and didn't know she was hurting.

2. Do not switch foods right away! You don't want to shock their stomachs.

- I usually try to do this because Couver has such a sensitive stomach, but I admit on the last bag, I changed too quickly... We did have a bit of an issue with his stool, so from now on I'm going to be more careful.

3. Never lets your dog sleep on the bed with you/play tug/etc..

- Oh heck! There is no way I would follow this one. I've always slept with my dogs even when my parents told me I couldn't. Couver and Khloe were both in bed with us their first night home... We've only had one accident on the bed, and it was because I was ignoring her need to go outside for my need of sleep.

4. Don't let your dog walk ahead of you on walks

- See, I don't get this one. I want them in front of me so I don't trip on them. They always are in front but know better than to pull.

5. Never use a flexi!

-This is all I use. It locks in place, so it can be retractable or a short lead. I don't see the problem with this...

6. Don't give your dog junk food

- I usually try to follow this one because again of Couver's sensitive tummy. They sometimes will get a piece of meat or veggie, but very rarely anything too junky.

7. Do not BABY or spoil your dog!

- Really?! These dogs are spoiled rotten But not to the point that they are not allowed to be dogs. They go on walks and go to the dog park, but they also get to travel with me (everywhere) I go because they are that important to me. I hate leaving them, so they do travel in a bag with me to stores. Their favorite is Home Depot. They get to ride in the child seat and see all the sights.

8. Let your dog adjust for a week before bringing people over to meet him/her as a puppy.

- Not so much... My two are over-socialized. However I didn't get either of them and tiny puppies, so they both had their vaccinations before going anywhere or seeing anyone.

9. Don't encourage bad behavior.. no matter what.

- I really try to follow this... Couver knows better but Khloe is a big beggar. I want to be able to enjoy my food without them begging, so I always make sure they are fed before I sit down to eat.

10. Do not leave your dog alone with kids/other dogs alone.

- Well, I really follow this one... Couver doesn't know any kids very well and he really doesn't like them, so they are never left alone with any. However, if I have children of my own, they will be taught to respect the dogs and will be allowed to be left alone with them. I can't think of any dogs that they have been left alone with either... I really try to be careful, because we really only have family with big dogs, so they aren't left alone just in case. Pretty much they are with me almost everywhere

11. ALWAYS pick up your dogs poop.
- I am usually pretty good about this, but if we are no on a path or a place where people frequent, I will let it slide.