Awesome thread!
Keep dog still.. no running/moving/jumping a week after spay/neuter.
-We weren't to strict about this as long as they are not hurting their wounds. We did, however, keep a cone on Carmel for awhile. Emma didn't really have a problem with licking her wound.
Do not switch foods right away! You don't want to shock their stomachs.
-We usually do this, but Emma only picks out the new kibbles. I think as long as she's eating then it's fine. We do mix the old and new food, but we don't follow the 75%, 50%, then 25% rule.
Never lets your dog sleep on the bed with you/play tug/etc..
-They sleep with us ALL THE TIME. However, I stopped letting them sleep with us through the night because I don't want to hurt them. I move around A LOT and Carmel likes to sleep near our legs and Emma just follows him. I play tug with Carmel because he likes it!
Never use a flexi!
-This is all we use! We have the ones where you can lock it so it's more convenient.
Do not BABY or spoil your dog!
- This I don't do...Carmel and Emma ARE my babies and I love them to death! They get punished if they do something bad, otherwise, they are treated like my son and daughter <3 I've got TOO MUCH love for them.
Let your dog adjust for a week before bringing people over to meet him/her as a puppy.
- I didn't know this before so I never did this. The day I got Carmel, I went to my friends house to show her my new pup. I guess that may be why he loves people? Emma was the same way so she's also used to people.
Don't encourage bad behavior.. no matter what.
- We try to follow this too, but sometimes I'm not consistent...For example, Carmel begs all the time to be put on our lap when we are in front of the computer. When I get annoyed, I say no. The majority of the times, I like to put him on my lap though.
Do not leave your dog alone with other dogs alone.
- Carmel and Emma ALWAYS stay with each other in their area when we're not home. Otherwise, they will get lonely.
ALWAYS pick up your dogs poop.
- I usually pick up their poop. However, sometimes if the poop is super small or I don't have a bag then I don't. I try to do this though because I HATE stepping in poop.
I took out the other ones because we follow those rules...For instance, we have NEVER fed Carmel and Emma ANY junk food. However, I didn't know they can't eat grapes at first, so they ate one before. Luckily, they were fine. We were surprised that it was toxic to them.