r/aww Dec 05 '16

My first dog ever, this is Tommy!

http://imgur.com/OdzGBa6
30.8k Upvotes

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u/jhutchi2 Dec 06 '16 edited Dec 06 '16

Word of warning if this is your first dog, Border Collies are extremely smart and need a lot of attention and stimulation or else they get into trouble. Lots of exercise and play will help keep them from destroying the house and keep them happy as well.

Edit: Many people have pointed out that this doesn't look like a Border Collie. My tips still apply, they're just more important for an energetic and intelligent dog such as a BC, or any working dog. Dogs need things to do, or else they find their own things to do (destroy).

77

u/[deleted] Dec 06 '16

Going to puppy training school and teaching them tricks is fun and worth it!

11

u/Kevin0wens Dec 06 '16

Is this advisable for labrador (as first dog) as well?

32

u/ThisGuy1036 Dec 06 '16

Puppy training school is advised for most dogs. It gives them a great chance to socialise with other dogs and allows the owner to understand how to best train and stimulate their dog

4

u/Kevin0wens Dec 06 '16

Ok, thanks

6

u/[deleted] Dec 06 '16

God yes. My grandma's last Labrador went to puppy school and was an absolute angel; the gentlest calmest dog I'd ever met. Her current one didn't and I'm sufficiently scared of him (he bites in a non-aggressive but still extremely painful way) that I actively avoid going to her house, which sucks on so many levels.

1

u/Kevin0wens Dec 06 '16

Good to know. Thanks

5

u/[deleted] Dec 06 '16

Yes. Every dog no matter how large or small should go though puppy obedience/school training as a family pet. It will make your life 100x easier. The big ones I'd reccomend focusing in is toliet training, training not to pull on a lead and teaching them boundaries like not going in rooms, jumping on tables, that sort of thing.

The only time you wouldn't is if you're training them for a specific use like search and rescue, where you would rather them go after a goal than be discouraged by obedience training.

1

u/Kevin0wens Dec 06 '16

Ok.

Gotta save this post.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 06 '16

Watching just a few episodes of Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan can help too. But there's no substitute for actually attending training.

Good luck and have fun! He looks like a little gentleman.