Hi All, not only I'am I newbie here am also just about to get my first dog, it is something I've always wanted and now that I'm well past my first flush of youth the time seems to be right.  Really I don't know where to start - there seems to be a torrent of views on any subject from behaviour to feeding, really I think I need some gentle advice and support.  So far so good, I've waited nearly a year for the puppy,(Border Terrier) it seems the breeder has been waiting for just the right sire, bought a copy of The Perfect Puppy, got the house ready - basically I'm like an eight year old waiting for Christmas and desperate to jump in at the deep end! No advice refused.

Graham

Lovely, little Border !. My BT is 2 and a bit - and I'm enjoying every second (apart from the rabbit chasing and German Shepherd dislike !). Any particular questions just ask away. I'm certainly no expert but there will be plenty of help from others who are.
Good luck and fun with your puppy.

Val

Tips?  Socialise, socialise, socialise ;)

Welcome Graham, :)

I'm sure that you will learn as you go along, but do remember one thing.........enjoy your puppy, sometimes people focus too much on the training and everything that comes with owning a dog, and they forget to enjoy   their animal.

Look forward to hearing about your exploits ;)

welcome graham, BTs are really wonderful little people.
my only advice,is play to build up a good relationship with the pup,be consistent & fair & remember hes a dog so if he dosent understand what to do,YOU need to explain it better!!!!!!
have you picked the pup yet? when do you get him/her?

Hi Graham :) Looking forward to hearing about your BT. I love em. My advice is stick to Perfect Puppy, and when offered dodgy advice just smile and thank the giver then carry on with PP. :) YOur about to discover a whole new world as your pup grows and reclaim playing, joy, a little frustration, and lots of laughs.  Are you having a dog or bitch?

Welcome Graham and well done on choosing a BT as your new companion.

I am owned by 12 of them at present.  My best advice would be to be firm, consistent and socialise as much as possible.  They are a delightful breed, but are pretty well endowed in the brains department and if you are not on top of them from the word go can very quickly have you twisted round their little paws!! :-D

Would love to know where you are getting your baby from, pm me if you like.  There are very few breeders who I have not heard of.

Jayne

Hello and welcome. You seem as though you will give a dog a lovely home no matter what you choose.
GOOD LUCK.

Thanks for all the support and the offers of help.  Loads of things to think about, Lady D I'll get back to you with the name, my friend is handling things at her end - I'm in the extreme NW of Scotland while the dog is in Derbyshire so logistics are important here. But he's from a reputable kennel and will be registered etc  The dog was born on Christmas day so we will be meeting around the 13 Feb.    I think your all right as far as I can see, the most important thing seems to be love and trust - like most things I suppose but I'm really looking forward to having a new fishing companion.  Two things, if I may, puppy food and insurance any advice?

a) puppy food.  Your breeder will be the one to advise you on this.  Whatever they have been feeding should be kept to at least for the first few weks whilst the pup is adjusting to its new environment.

b) Insurance, this is a very difficult one at the moment.  Unfortunately the government have now said that we as breeders, are not allowed to advise on Insurance!!!!  personally I have up until now put Petplan Insurance on my pups, but I can't tell you that is a good or a bad insurance (cos I'm not allowed to :-D).

Look forward to hearing from you about your pup.  Hope you have many hours of fun with your new baby, just watch out for the bait though, Border love food of any sort.  Mine think they are in heaven if they get into the Horses Feed Shed. lol

Jayne

Hi Graham

I think you enjoy this forum. I am sure you are very excited about getting your new puppy. Socialising is very important,but also you instinct is very important. What works for one will not work for another, and if you have a good bond with your dog you will have a good idea of what to do.
Lots of advice on this forum. When do you get your puppy?

Patricia