Hello - I'm hoping to add a dog to my family this weekend and thought I would ask if any of you have any pointers for me as I'm not experienced.Its a 3 year old dog from a rescue centre - small-medium breed - good temperament not from an abusive or puppy farm background.  A couple of things I wasnt sure about - I've read a lot on this site about training and reward - offering treats when a dog behaves as you want him to - are there any particular recommendations for this?  Also - chewing - I read somewhere that it is better to give your dog a proper tasty bone to chew than a rubber toy that they may get bored with - can you still get bones from butchers and if so what would I ask for.  I do have a good relationship with my butcher - buy all my meat from him every week - but dont want to look silly if it isnt something you can do nowadays...  All advice gratefully received.  thank you.  Maxine 

In regards to the bones - I just go into the local butchers and ask if he has any bones for the dog.
He is always very obliging - normally brings out a huge one and asks if I want it cut up.
He charges me the small fee of 50p for a full carrier bag

thank you - thats one thing I can do in preparation, cant wait to get him - have had a cat for 12 years who unfortunately passed away so this is all new to me...

so far as treats are concerned, if they are to be a reward then think "tasty, tastu, tasty"! most dogs are wholly uninterested in performing for kibble or anything that turns up in their foodbowl routinely. Thus hot dogs, cheese, liver cake, etc., are often well received. what i would avoid is buying expensive processed so-called "dog treats".

however, you will be the best judge of whether your dog is particularly food orientated (not all are!) when you get him home and have given him a chance to settle down to his new lifestyle so don't rush out right now and pack the food cupboards. 

bones are great (although personally i can't be doing with meat products being dragged all over the house) but don't underestimate the value of balls and toys. especially consider getting a kong which can be filled with tasty nibbles that the dog has to retrieve.

good luck and many happy times to come!

Hi Maxine -

For reward based training, and for understanding and learning about dogs, I would highly recommend a book called "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson.  It's available from Amazon.

Second onetwothree's rec, and also I'd like to add "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training" by Pamela Dennison, also on Amazon.  Two books no dog owner should be without!

small cubed cheese or chopped up frankfurter are good treats

My dog loves his nylabones and rawhide bones. If you do a search on this forum you'll find recipes for liver cake (mentioned in roz's post). Kongs are good for keeping them occupied; do a search for kong recipes on the forum and you'll find loads of fun things to stuff in them. Congratulations on your new family member Maxine. Enjoy your new friend.

Thank you everybody - books are ordered, hot dogs and cheese are always on hand in my house anyway - my 8yr old son wouldnt be without them.  I'm so excited - you're all very kind - thanks for all your help, Maxine

Ooooh do tell what sort is he ?
I've always found the best way to treat rescues is like a puppy, back to basics.
Give him a few days to settle in and don't worry too much if  accidents happen in the house,he will only be finding hos bearings and tearning the rules

Well done you for giving a dog a second chance. I hope you have many happy years together :)

Can't really add much to what has already been said. Although in this house we find the dogs get more fun out of playing with empty cereal boxes and milk/juice cartons than they do from some of the expensive toys we have bought them. Typical! :rolleyes:

Do stick around and let us know how you get on :)

Hi everyone - thanks for all the responses I am now much more relaxed and confident - and am looking forward to getting Louis - a Hungarian Puli.... I cant believe how helpful everybody is when it comes to dogs - how nice,
Max

A Puli, how wonderful!  Who are you getting him from?  My daughter was given one by Ann Arch (Loakespark) many years ago.  What a character! :D

A Puli, now that's quite a difference from a Pointer :d :d

Good luck with your new dog, I love Puli's, although I went for a slightly bigger version of the breed!

Hi he was on a london based rescue intranet - I dont know if you are allowed to mention the names - but I have done some research and spoken via email to a really nice puli breeder and taken advice and tips - so hopefully I wont let Louis down as an owner.  When you start looking at rescue dogs though - there are so many but I just know that a lot of them I wouldnt have been up to handling - too much of a novice!  Hopefully I'll be back on Monday saying everything is working out just fine......   Maxine

Look forward to hearing about him! :)

Ooo, there's a Puli who lives in my neighbourhood.  Unfortunately he's dog aggressive and barks a lot when he sees one of mine.  But fortunately, he has so much hair, he can't see very well and we often slip away unseen!!!!